Not everyone wants to drive an appliance, but although many of us would love to be able to afford something like a Porsche, that’s just not a reality. But there’s hope, for those drivers that want to add a bit more fun than the typical forgettable compact sedan there are few more memorable models, like the VW Jetta GLI and Honda Civic Si. Although Honda and VW have dominated the compact sport segment for years, Hyundai is jumping in the sporty compact segment with models, like the Veloster Turbo and the new 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport. The Veloster is Hyundai’s answer to the compact sport hatch, but can the Elantra Sport rival the Civic Si sedan? Here are the five things you need to know about the 2017 Elantra Sport:
2201 horses to play with
The Elantra Sport is powered by a turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder that also powers the Veloster. The four-cylinder generates 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft and youcan choose between either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Spirited drivers should choose the manual, but obviously most buyers will go with the dual-clutch transmission. With 201 horsepower on paper, the Elantra Sport isn’t too far off from the new Civic Si and actually has more power than the turbocharged non-Si Civic, although its performance feels closer to the non-Civic Si model.
The Elantra Sport with the manual transmission is rated at 22/30, but if you choose the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission it’s rated at 26/33 mpg.
