Hey David, after you flip this truck I have a GREAT 2013 Sonata I’d like you to also flip

It gets more mentions now than it used to, but yes, even the Jalopnik writers forget it exists. Even when they do articles on it.

Didn’t stop Hyundai the other day, introducing the 2021 Elantra. Just sayin’...

I’d say if anything, it would be a 50/50 split between cost AND manufacturing ability. And a sprinkle of wanting to keep the 5-cylinder as a special little “Audi” thing you can get on a “pedestrian” Golf.

The GT and sedan are different platforms (currently AD vs PD), and also on a different development and refresh cycle. 2021 sedan is all-new. 2021 GT is a heavy mid-cycle refresh of the i30 and will be due for a full-refresh in ‘23-’24.

Dealers get the “Essential Services” pass in the Bay Area right now. I’ve gotten multiple “we reassure you we are open” emails from the dealer I bought and service my cars at.

Unfortunately, they aren’t considered a “volume” model in the US, and Hyundai does the same thing a lot of automakers do... and lump sales together under the same NAMEPLATE. So Elantra GT and sedan, even though they are different vehicles, share the nameplate and thus their sales get lumped together and it’s very…

Elon Musk is going to contribute to infection rates in Fremont (and Alameda County in general), with this behavior.

Perhaps we got into the weeds with this, then. All I’m saying, is that the engine is punchier than the numbers suggest. Yes, it will still be 8+ second 0-60, and yes, the “IVT” (CVT) sucks all the fun out, but it’s actually still got about the same amount of power most standard or base vehicles in it’s class, have…

CVT or not, it doesn’t discount the fact that it has more thermal efficiency and usable power for it’s rating, than “the 150HP engine from 20 years ago”. As an example.

EGT will seat kids easier than the Veloster. It’s still the larger of the two, even if only a small amount.

I get the sarcasm with your response :) But also - a full-line luxury marque, replete with SUVs,  is a requirement for solvency in our modern motoring society. You know that as well as anyone.

The Atkinson-cycle Nu 2.0 does have cam phasing and variable lift, so for “only” 147HP it actually has a pretty flat usable torque curve.

I preferred this car and wanted it. But stopped short because the Elantra GT could be configured with more equipment I wanted (pano roof, ventilated seats), and I wanted a hatchback.

They weren’t THAT bad. The only “bad” one was the base SE that didn’t have the lower LED DRLS, and ugly 15" steelies.

It isn’t. The corner vents are functional. Just as they were functional on the “original” 2017 AD Elantra and others.

They’re not quite to the point BMW used to be at, no, but since Biermann is ex-BMW and he’s doing things a step at a time... I expect they’ll get close to BMW, much sooner than you think.

Hm. I see. That’s a fair point.

Gross.

The Elantra GT N-Line is basically very much a “GT” version of the running gear. It comes with a little nicer materials throughout the cabin, and a lot of features you can’t get in the Veloster. Such as the panoramic roof, ventilated leather seats, and a slightly softer (but still delightfully firm) ride.