3rd Jan 2019, 01:22
I agree that premium might be a plus, but it is nice that it isn't a requirement like on many of the competitors. When I get a chip for this car, I will likely start running premium fuel in it. Gas mileage should increase with any type of upgrades anyway.
29th Mar 2019, 16:09
So the spontaneous trunk opening issue is a widespread problem. It's not actually the remote, but a random opening of the trunk at will. I was actually at work and way too far away for the remote to work when I looked out and saw my trunk wide open. I had a bag full of tools and other stuff in there, so I sprinted out to make sure it was all still there! Thankfully nothing was missing and it wasn't raining so it didn't get soaked in there. This is an issue Hyundai so far is refusing to acknowledge as a problem, as duplicating it is virtually impossible. Unfortunately my only viable solution is to pull the fuse on the trunk and simply use the mechanical release on the floor to the left of the seat from now on. It's a bit of a pain, but much less than an empty trunk or a water filled one.
Other than that, my only complaint is a leaky oil drain plug. I do my own oil changes and I bought the plug gaskets from the Hyundai dealer (so they are the right ones), but I can't get it to tighten enough to stop dripping. It's very slightly dripping in that I haven't noticed it drop at all on the dipstick, but it's annoying that they can't just put a decent type of gasket that you don't have to wrench so tightly to get sealed. I'm always worried about stripping the oil plug if I overtighten it.
5th Jul 2019, 18:41
Thank you for the thorough review. I agree with you about the appearance and value superiority of the Elantra over the Civic, and will be taking a test drive when I am due for my next car.
Though it’s a size class smaller, I wonder if you had compared the Fiesta ST to the Sport while shopping?
2nd Sep 2019, 19:59
I actually drove the Focus ST before buying the Elantra. I thought for the price difference the performance wasn't that much better, even with an extra 50+ HP. I also traded a 2015 Focus for my Elantra, largely because it was really poorly made. It was only an SE, but it was rattling and making noises a car with under 10K miles shouldn't be making. Ironically I have since seen it on the side of the road for sale again. It was disappointing really and sealed the deal on American cars for me. I'd maybe get a Mustang, but it's foreign forever otherwise.
20th Oct 2019, 14:43
I drive the Elantra 1.6 turbo. The boot operates on a remote being near the car boot. This can be disabled via the dash computer.
7th Feb 2020, 22:40
The trouble was my trunk was opening when I wasn't anywhere near the car. After researching it, others had the same issues. Mine would randomly be open when I would leave for work in the morning. Thankfully it was locked in the garage, but I thought it was odd. I got the covers for the remotes as I thought maybe I was pushing the button inadvertently in my pocket. No result. My only recourse was to pull the fuse after finding it wide open in a parking lot.
13th Nov 2022, 13:30
I also read on forums about a cabin heat problem on some 2017-2018 Elantra from new. It appears the coolant is taking forever to warm up in winter time and the cabin heat fluctuates with the car speed. Again, this happens on cars right after leaving the showroom and the dealership cannot identify the issue.
16th Dec 2018, 04:21
Nice, thoughtful review.
Food for thought: This is a performance version of the basic model.
Premium fuel is not an outrageous request.
While it is likely that Hyundai has mapped the engine software to accommodate regular fuel, it will be happier on premium fuel.
While detonation can be avoided (via retarded spark advance), the resulting increased exhaust temperatures (particularly during periods of large throttle openings) shorten catalytic converter life.