Getting your player ready...
By pushing a button on the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT’s steering wheel, the driver can choose among three steering levels – Normal, Comfort for a light touch and Sport for a much heavier feel.
It’s innovative for an entry in the compact field. The difference in feel of the turns and corrections is quite noticeable. Normal or Comfort are ideal for straight-ahead highway drives; the Sport setting is a nice choice for twists and bends in mountain driving. The Elantra GT hatchback is new for 2013, replacing the Hyundai Touring models of previous years. With a firmed-up suspension and the Driver Selectable Steering Mode, the GT is an option with allure over the popular Hyundai Elantra sedan. It (the GT) is similar to the Hyundai i30, which has been sold for several years in Europe. The GT delivers relatively high fuel mileage, keeping it competitive with the Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze and Mazda3. I averaged 34.9 miles per gallon in a 25/75 split of city/highway driving (EPA estimate is 28/39). Cruise a smooth highway in the 60 to 65 miles per hour range and the GT will approach the 39-mpg estimate; drive it at 75 mph, though, and it will cut the average by 2 or 3 mpg. Those figures come from a powertrain geared for economy. A 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission (6-speed manual available, too). Acceleration is average, though its automatic shifter can be moved into manual mode for driver-controlled gear changes. The GT’s a good handler and easy to park; its 104.3-inch wheelbase is 2 inches shorter than the Elantra sedan.adds length, stop/start In its sixth generation, the BMW 3 series underwent a growing spell this year. The ’12 version of the 335i four-door is 4 inches longer (182.5 inches overall length) than last year’s 335, yet is 30 pounds lighter due to increased use of aluminum. The added length has allowed an increase of trunk space to 17 cubic feet, more sizable for traveling. Two deep storage bins are beneath the trunk floor. A long hood accommodates the longitudinal inline-6-cylinder engine, for which the 3 series is noted. It is a 300-horsepower, 3.0-liter turbocharged 6, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission (8-speed automatic is optional). Regarding the BMW 335i, it is the first I’ve tested the stop/start technology on a manual transmission; though I’ve driven a number of stop/starts with automatic transmissions. Move the 6-speed manual’s shifter into neutral gear at a stoplight, let out the clutch and the engine stops; push the clutch in for a shift and it’s running again instantly. Even with new electrically driven steering for the rear-drive 3 series, the feel is good and handling outstanding. Throttle sensitivity can be adjusted with push of a button for Sport, Comfort or EcoPro driving modes. The Bimmer averaged 25.6 miles per gallon in a 50/50 split of city/highway driving. Its EPA estimate is 20/30. The interior is of clean design and high tech, with an iDrive controller than is much easier to use for navigation, audio and heat/air. Firm, long-cushioned leather seats are fairly flat and comfortable, and the rear-seating area is roomier. A head-up display gives the driver speed info out front, and the backup camera, in addition to the look to the rear, offers top and side views.
Tires are Goodyear run-on-flat 225/45R18-inch. The 335i’s base price of $42,400 is lifted to $54,070 with the optional black sapphire metallic finish, anthracite wood trim inside, harman/kardon surround sound and satellite radio, sport leather steering wheel and heated front seats. A turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine is now offered for the 328i sedan. 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT $23,015 (price as tested) MPG City 28 Highway 39 Vehicle type: Five-door compact hatchback Wheelbase: 104.3 inches Length/Width/Height: 169.3/70.1/57.9 inches Weight: 2,875 pounds Engine: 1.8-liter 4-cylinder Transmission: 6-speed automatic Fuel mileage: 34.9 mpg Fuel tank: 12.8 gallons Warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles basic; 10/100,000 powertrain Competitors: Toyota Matrix, Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Subaru Impreza Built at: Ulsan, Korea Parts content: Korea 95 percent, U.S./Canadian 2 percent THE STICKER $19,395 base $2,750 Sport-tuned suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, leather seating, power driver’s seat, aluminum pedals $95 Carpeted floor mats $725 Destination PLUSES Steering selection Fuel mileage Wagon-type style MINUSES Slow acceleration So-so ride
