2017 Hyundai Elantra goes to the 'more' store

Up front, it wears Hyundai's updated signature hexagonal grille and has modernized lighting, with available HID headlights and unique vertical LED daytime running lights.

The lower front fascia has integrated functional front-wheel air curtains derived from the Sonata Hybrid to help manage air flow from the front of the vehicle and around its wheels to minimize air turbulence and wind resistance.

Available premium features such as 17-inch alloy wheels, all-new LED door handle approach lights, side mirror LED turn signal indicators, and LED taillights with high-tech graphics add sophistication and detail.

Inside, Elantra has been updated with a refreshed, driver-oriented design optimized for intuitive control; there is improved interior front and rear headroom with 110 cubic-feet of total interior volume (and cargo capacity of 14.4 cu.-ft.), as well as high-quality soft-touch materials.

Elantra come with a wide array of advanced safety and convenience technologies often reserved for luxury cars, such as an available smart cruise control that adjusts vehicle speed to maintain a set distance from the vehicle ahead; automatic emergency braking with class-exclusive pedestrian detection; lane departure warning; a lane keep assist system that will apply corrective steering assistance if necessary; blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist; and a rearview camera with dynamic guidance.

[...] the Elantra offers the latest-generation Blue Link system for seamless smartphone connectivity directly into the car with features like remote start w/climate control, destination search powered by Google, remote door lock/unlock, car finder, enhanced roadside assistance, and stolen vehicle recovery.

1.4-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine will be available; it is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, and will power the Elantra Eco trim; Hyundai says it will increase the combined fuel economy to 35 mpg.

Notable is the quietness of the cockpit, good acceleration and the drive-changing Sport mode that makes it handle like a more expensive, sports compact.