2024 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HEV IS AN OUTSTANDING GAS-SIPPER

By NITISH S. RELE – motoringflorida@gmail.com

Yes, you can cut those trips to the gas station short, real short, as fuel prices hover close to $4 a gallon! All you have to do is go get a 2024 Hyundai Elantra HEV (hybrid electric vehicle). Believe us, you are assured of at least over 50 mpg in this fine compact sedan.

A 1.6-liter inline-4-cylinder engine puts out a total of 139 horsepower and 195 pounds-feet of torque while coupled to an electric motor operating a 32kW lithium-ion polymer battery. Power reaches the front wheels via a crisp-shifting 6-speed auto gearbox. By no means is this a speedster but the car takes off real quick and comes to a stop at a moment’s notice. Switch to sport mode (normal and smart are other options) and you will end up with a sprightly drive whether on the highway or dodging peak-hour traffic.Suspension is handled via the reliable MacPherson strut front and multilink rear. The motor-driven power rack-and-pinion steering returns a weighted and response to the driver’s input.

A restyling for the low and wide-stance small car translates into a metallic bar to connect slimmer LED headlights, as well as new split grille and a flat stainless-steel Hyundai emblem. The 2024 model gains additional USB ports and color choices, a revamped wireless phone charger pad and fresh Hi-Tex (read synthetic) leather seat surfaces. Two colossal 10.25-inch displays: a touch screen for infotainment system, and the other for digital instrument cluster, immediately draws attention. Sporting a horizontal dash layout, the practical cabin comes standard with a 60/40 rear seat, leather-wrapped heated/cooled, six-way power driver and four-way front-passenger adjustable seats, dual auto a/c, tilt/telescopic steering column, Bose audio with eight speakers, power sun roof, electronic park brake and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay.

Several safety features come at no extra cost. There are dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, newly added side-impact rear airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution and brake assist, front/rear crumple zones, electronic stability and traction control, forward-, blind spot- and rear cross traffic collision- avoidance assists, lane keep and forward assists, rearview camera, remote keyless entry and tire pressure monitoring system.

Base-priced at just $29,450, the Elantra HEV makes perfect sense as we see no end in sight for rising fuel prices at the pump. Apart from its gas-sipping capabilities, the car is agile, delightful and fun to drive. There also is Hyundai’s five-year, 60,000-mile basic, and 10-year, 100,000-mile power train and hybrid battery warranties to convince you to sign on the dotted line.

ELANTRA (HEV LIMITED)

Tires: P225/45R17

Wheelbase: 107.1 inches

Length: 185.4 inches

Width: 71.9 inches

Height: 55.7 inches

Weight: 3,069 pounds

Fuel capacity: 11 gallons

City: 49 mpg

Highway: 52 mpg

Combined: 50 mpg

Price as tested: $30,810

Web site: www.hyundaiusa.com