Overview & Reviews

Most American compact car consumers prefer the more formal look of a sedan body style, but there are those who appreciate the much greater cargo capacity and sporty personality of a small hatchback. For them, the Hyundai Elantra GT is an excellent and affordable choice.

Today's Hyundai Elantra GT is based on the latest Elantra sedan and shares the same basic mechanical underpinnings. But the GT offers a unique body style and cabin design plus a firmer, sport-tuned suspension and driver-adjustable steering calibrations.

Current Hyundai Elantra GT Specs
Introduced for 2013, the Hyundai Elantra GT four-door hatchback comes in a single well-equipped trim level. Standard feature highlights include 16-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, heated front seats, Hyundai's BlueLink telematics, Bluetooth and a six-speaker sound system with satellite radio and a USB/iPod interface. Optional feature highlights include a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery, keyless ignition/entry, a navigation system and a rearview camera.

The GT comes with the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine seen in the other Elantras and it makes 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. There's also a PZEV-rated lower-emissions version that makes 145 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission are standard, while a six-speed automatic is an option.

As with its sedan sibling, the Hyundai Elantra GT hatchback offers a stylish cabin with logical controls and an impressive amount of room for four adults. Of course, cargo capacity is where the GT's interior shines brightest, and with the rear seats folded down there are an impressive 51 cubic feet of space available.

In reviews, we've been impressed by the Elantra GT's solid feel on the road. Acceleration is similar to the other Elantras, which is to say adequate but with a somewhat reluctant-to-downshift automatic gearbox that's geared toward maximizing fuel economy. Handling, however, is a bit sharper in the GT thanks to its firmer suspension tuning, and drivers can adjust the level of assist for the electric power steering. The GT's ride is commendable, more like that of a midsize touring car, as it is supple and quiet over both pockmarked city streets and high-speed interstates.

Used Hyundai Elantra GT Models
Although this Elantra GT is a new car in Hyundai's lineup, it is not the first time Hyundai has offered a four-door hatchback version of its Elantra. Most recently, Hyundai sold the Elantra Touring from 2009-'12. Thanks to its more wagonlike shape, the Touring had even more cargo space than the current model.

Prior to this there was a similarly named Elantra GT based on the third-generation Elantra. It was sold from 2001-'06.

User Reviews:

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  17" Tires Extremely Prone to Damage - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By jjbaltimore - November 27 - 11:11 pm

  I bought my Elantra GT 2013 this past October. I loved the panoramic sunroof and got the style package. This included 17" low profile wheels and tires which look great, but BEWARE. Within 3 weeks this winter, average road conditions (meaning lots of potholes) resulted in 3 tires developing 3 sidewall bubbles. This included a tire that had just been replaced. There is an entire forum on this problem with this car and these tires. Read it. http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-t35968_ds499866?actionMessages=Your+answer+has+been+posted.

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  Push Button Start Not Working - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By nothappy2013 - January 16 - 8:03 am

  Purchased the 2013 Elantra GT 8/31/13, no start issues until 11/15/13. Very nice vehicle except it will not start daily without pressing the brake and start button multiple times. Stranded once and called Roadside Assistance. They tightened the positive battery terminal. Also stopped at the dealership later the same day and the negative terminal was tightened. Last problem required 19 attempts to start the vehicle, number 20 was the lucky number. A very frustrating problem, dealership tests showed no problems found, certainly something is going on. Second trip to the dealership Tues. 12/10.

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  Careful. This LEMON needs a lot of work. - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By elantragtowner - December 15 - 8:08 am

  I purchased this brand new 3 months ago, and am now having to take it in for its 7th or 8th visit. Ive lost track. The vehicle steering system was defective or just poor design to begin with. On the highway, if I relaxed my hand, it would fly off the road to the left. It was very dangerous, and I got into a few close calls because of this. It took 6 attempts for the shop to get it adequate. By adequate I mean it isnt 100%, but they fixed it "enough" to where I can tolerate it. Now I have to take the vehicle in again due to engine trouble. Its been taking the engine 20-30 seconds to wind down from 5,000RPM to 1000RPM when you shift into neutral. Its getting worse. Not happy at all.

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  miss my subaru - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By ecormack - December 30 - 6:50 am

  very disappointed in my gas milage. Best Ive gotten is 27mpg. My subaru with all wheel drive got that. I should have gotten something different

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  I like the car but am disappointed in the mileage - 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT
  By bberszoner - October 14 - 2:34 pm

  I have had the car for a couple of weeks and and like lots of things, but a few negatives stand out: (1) the review of the car say the auto transmission is a little lackluster - that is true; (2) the stated mileage is 28/39, but Im getting 26 with a fair bit of highway driving, so I no longer believe its possible. What else isnt true?