As we inch nearer to a way forward for extra Electrical Automobiles (EVs), Hybrid Electrical Automobiles (HEVs) are a profitable recipe that touts a number of the finest gasoline mileage numbers we’ve seen in automobiles like the most recent Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.
After experiencing many variations of the brand new seventh technology Hyundai Elantra, together with the raucous performance-oriented Elantra N, there’s loads of respect for the model’s compact sedan and plenty of welcome it with open arms for the inexpensive phase. Now, in experiencing the brand new Elantra HEV, there’s much more respect earned for a car that always surpasses its EPA-estimated gasoline consumption numbers in the true world to finest most of its competitors.
The brand new Hyundai Elantra for its seventh technology already has a superb platform as I’ve skilled in lots of earlier opinions of the car in its gas-powered non-hybrid trim ranges. Having the hybrid model of the Elantra this week takes a special method for the platform the place it makes use of its modern design to profit from respectable aerodynamics having a drag coefficient of 0.28 retaining a lot of the modern appears of different trim ranges. The Elantra Hybrid is available in two trim ranges, Blue and Restricted. My Restricted trim will get up to date LED headlights, a darkish chrome entrance grille, and bigger 17-inch alloy wheels.
Efficiency and Driving Character
Having a strong platform to work with, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid feels respectable out on the highway solely hampered by a powertrain that isn’t very wanting to get issues transferring. Working with the mixed energy output of 139 horsepower there isn’t a lot to encourage efficiency. Nonetheless, the hybrid system appears to fill the facility void areas of its 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that by itself produces 104 horsepower and 109 lb-ft of torque, which then equates to a complete of 195 lb-ft of torque. Energy is directed to the entrance wheels solely and the transmission is a neat alternative of a 6-speed automated dual-clutch that does properly to handle the facility the place you usually don’t discover the shifting, which is an efficient factor.
The electrical motor alone can produce 43 horsepower and 125 lb-ft of torque which helps get the Elantra Hybrid out of the outlet initially fairly properly however isn’t adopted up with something substantial as you climb previous 25 mph and as much as 60 mph, which takes about 8.8 seconds to hit 60 mph from a cease. Essentially, you’re not going to win any races with the Elantra Hybrid, however it’s zippy sufficient to not be harmful.
The dealing with and trip high quality appears to make up for the lackluster little bit of energy the place the Elantra Hybrid handles properly feeling just like the chassis can deal with much more together with having a good trip high quality and stability at Interstate speeds. The one fault I discover within the drivetrain, other than the Elantra Hybrid not precisely being “fast,” is the braking really feel typically is just not as seamless as I would really like in its transitions from the regenerative braking and use of the friction brakes. In any other case, the hybrid system works splendidly holding a good reserve of battery energy and infrequently using the battery energy over the engine to retain most speeds.
The Elantra Hybrid’s sophistication is commonly a seamless expertise the place you hardly discover transitions from the electrical motor to the gasoline engine, or gear shifts for that matter. There’s a welcomed quietness additionally the place the Elantra Hybrid feels nearly premium even with the gasoline engine working. When the gasoline engine shuts down the one sounds you hear are the eco-friendly tires and a faint little bit of wind noise.
Gasoline Financial system
The brand new Hyundai Elantra Hybrid shines for its distinctive gasoline financial system the place the EPA estimates of 49 mpg metropolis, 52 mpg freeway, and 50 mpg mixed, which are sometimes bested in real-world driving. I noticed my freeway determine as excessive as 54 mpg and within the metropolis, I noticed a mean of 52.4 mpg. The hybrid system is straightforward to be taught for its engine engagements and means that you can muster out higher mpg numbers with some sensible planning in your drives. With these figures, you get an distinctive vary of up about 572 miles on only one 11-gallon tank of standard unleaded gasoline.
The one factor I want Hyundai would do is mark on the facility meter how a lot throttle you may give the car to make the most of the battery energy earlier than it kicks over to the gasoline engine. Such a marking on the facility gauge like Toyota does would assist so far as energy administration to doubtlessly get even higher mpg out of the Elantra Hybrid, which is already a shock to beat out the EPA figures.
Inside and Know-how
Having coated the place the brand new Hyundai Elantra is a profitable formulation for a compact sedan, I’m joyful to see that the inside stays just about the identical within the new Elantra Hybrid. There aren’t any stunning facets concerning the Inside being any completely different than different Elantra gas-powered non-hybrid trims within the new Elantra HEV. There’s a welcoming house within the cabin of the Elantra with a stunning quantity of house for a compact sedan and loads of ahead and rearward adjustment for the heated and ventilated entrance seats permitting you to search out the optimum driving place – even for somebody who’s over 6 toes tall like myself.
There’s the welcomed infotainment system within the Elantra Hybrid that includes the ten.25-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The ten.25-inch digital gauge cluster replaces the place the RPM gauge is often displayed with the hybrid energy meter.
Within the space of security, the brand new Elantra Hybrid comes with the entire anticipated lively security options minus a surround-view 360 digital camera rather than a conventional rearward digital camera view, which removes the provision of the intelligent live-view blind-spot monitor system. In any other case, you continue to have the welcoming blind-spot displays, lane departure warning/hold help, lane following help, driver consideration warning, protected exit warning, ahead collision warning/emergency braking, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance help, and sensible cruise management with cease & go and a freeway driving help characteristic.
Worth
Additional making the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid a profitable recipe, the pricing for the bottom Blue trim begins at simply $24,400 whereas the loaded-up Elantra Hybrid Restricted trim is available in at $29,000 earlier than any charges the place you may be anticipated to pay nearly $31,000 while you tally up the vacation spot/freight costs.
