Elantra can hold its' head high
Hyundai's compact sedan continues to impress.

GRAEME FLETCHER

From the moment you set eyes on the Hyundai Elantra GLS Sport, you know it's a very different car from previous generations.
Gone are the looks only a mother can love in favour of something with much more road presence.

For example, there is an attractive character line that starts at the base jewelled headlights, runs up over the front fender and
through the door handles before plunging down to the bottom of the tail light. This and the Sport's fog lights and rear spoiler
produce a cutting-edge style that is anything but typical of the cookie-cutter compact segment in which the Elantra competes.

The question is: Does this strong first impression hold up under closer examination?

Slip behind the wheel and the good news is that the Elantra GLS Sport continues to impress. To begin with, this car is
appreciably larger than its predecessor. Hyundai brags that the Elantra's interior volume (112.1 cubic feet of passenger
volume and trunk space) betters the Acura TL's 110.4 cubic feet. The large, breezy, greenhouse certainly reinforces its
notion of size.

Up front, there's decent elbow room and plenty of headroom. Likewise, there is enough room in the rear to accommodate
two adults in comfort. The trunk, at 14.2 cubic feet, is capable of carrying a family of four's luggage with ease.
If more space is needed, there are 60/40-split/folding seatbacks.

The GLS Sport also comes nicely attired with materials that are rich and put together with a precision not expected at
this end of the price ladder - the centre stack is particularly attractive. As for the equipment, air conditioning, power locks,
windows and mirrors, heated front seats and a power sunroof are all standard, as is a strong six-speaker audio system
that comes complete with an auxiliary input and steering wheel-mounted controls.

The Elantra's expanded dimensions also bring a bigger footprint and a better base for the suspension.
Riding on MacPherson struts and multiple links in the rear with anti-roll bars at both ends, the set-up walks a fine line.

Through my favourite set of switchbacks, the Sport proved remarkably adept.

There is some initial body roll and understeer surfaces if you push too hard but, considering this is an entry-level offering,
it is up to class standards. The Sport's sensibly sized P205/55R16 tires and direct-feeling steering help enormously.
The bonus is that the ride quality is at or near the top of the class as well.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder that features variable valve timing on the intake cam. The advantage, lower
emissions aside, is that it promotes low-end response and mid-range punch. It also helps to spread the 138 horsepower
and 136 pound-feet of torque over a broader range.

That stated, you're not going to peel rubber from a standstill, at least not when the engine is married to the optional
four-speed automatic ($1,200). In fairness, once the engine gets a few revs under its belt, it picks up the pace and
begins to pull with more authority.

This shows up in the acceleration times. While it takes a mediocre 10.2 seconds to sprint to 100 kilometres per hour,
it turns the 80-to-120-km/h trick in a respectable 7.9 seconds. The manual gearbox makes the Elantra feel much livelier
(it shaves the acceleration times by a second in both cases) and is the better buy if you don't mind shifting gears in
stop-and-go traffic.

As for safety, the Elantra fares well as long as you are prepared to pay.

Anti-lock brakes and four-wheel discs are available only on the GLS, GLS Sport tested here and the leather-lined Limited.
Those shopping the base L and GL models miss out on an essential part of the safety equation.

The same applies to airbags and active headrests. Only the three top models get the full quota. The two base models
make do with a pair of front airbags, while the other three include whiplash-reducing active headrests, side seat-mounted
airbags and a pair of drop-down curtains. The saving grace is that the move from the GL with an automatic transmission
to the GLS auto is only $1,300.

Talk about money well spent. In a highly competitive segment that includes the perennial class leader (Mazda3) and a
totally new Toyota Corolla, the Elantra GLS Sport can hold its head surprisingly high. It comes with all the desirable
equipment, has perky performance, is good on gas (an average of 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres) and handles very nicely.
In other words, it lives up to its high initial impression.

National Post

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS Sport

Price: $15,845 (base); $22,195 (as tested)

Engine: 2.0-litre DOHC 4-cylinder

Power: 138 horsepower; 136 pound-feet of torque

Fuel economy: 8.2 litres per 100 km (city); 6.0 litres per 100 km (hwy.)