The Elantra SR changed that with decent performance and a wonderful chassis. Replaced by the 150kW turbo Elantra Sport for 2019, there’s edgy revised styling plus decent features and safety for your money.

A manual version is priced from $28,990 before charges, but Australians with their increasing avoidance of three pedals will pick the $31,490 7-speed dual-clutch auto. Our young-at-heart testers try it for size.

First impressions

Jules: Looks like Grandpa got the sporty old man car. Late-life crisis?

Iain: Okay, so a Hyundai Elantra isn’t an obvious sporty choice, but give it a chance. Anything called Sport has to back it up.

Jules: Certainly its wheels and body kit aren’t Granny-spec. Those front lights are like daggers and the bumpers and dark wheel design are ultra-modern.

Iain: They’re wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 low-profile tyres too. They mean business.

Jules: It’s still a Hyundai sedan though. Apart from the sporty exhaust exits, the rear looks terrible.

Iain: No way. I like the subtly crafted boot, but it could use a bigger spoiler for sportiness.

Jules: It’s over $35,000 drive away with the auto gearbox, what else could I get for my money?

Iain: A “warm sedan” rival is the Kia Cerato GT using the same 150kW turbo 1.6-litre. It is $32,990 on the road with even longer warranty. You’d want to get a deal on the Hyundai.

The living space

Jules: Red leather! Is Hyundai trying too hard with the “it’s a sports car” bit?

Iain: Not at all. Red cabin is only an extra $295, and it really lifts what would otherwise be an austere black interior.

Jules: Okay, I’ll admit I like it. And the red stitching, red bit at the base of the flat-bottom steering wheel and carbon fibre trim. Feels quite special in here.

Iain: Hyundai does do cabin layout superbly well. It just makes sense. Well-bolstered sports seats, the 8-inch screen has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and all your buttons are easy to reach.

Jules: Cruise control, paddle shifters, smart key, sat nav and climate control is good kit too.

Iain: But then hard plastics go and ruin things. The centre console and door tops feel too cheap, and while I appreciate an old-school handbrake level, please, Hyundai, put a bit of leather on the grip. Red would be fine.

The commute

Jules: Nice easy thing to drive, but there’s a bit of road noise and it feels bigger road bumps.

Iain: Hyundai Australia’s team has tweaked the suspension, so it errs more towards sporty handling than outright comfort. I reckon it’s not as harsh as the Kia Cerato GT rival.

Jules: I like the three drive modes — Normal or Eco for highway and Sport for fun, and full marks for the sound system. If the cool kids aren’t fully sold on the Sport’s styling, the audio should bag them.

Iain: Radar cruise control should be included at this; I appreciate it on long journeys. There is an Elantra Sport Premium for $2500 more with wireless phone charging, front sensors, power heated seats and glass roof, but even it lacks the smart cruise.

The shopping

Jules: I’d want those front sensors for parking. It’s a low car with low front bumper, and I was scared of cracking it on kerbs when parking.

Iain: Really good reversing camera though, with guide lines to help. Boot’s deep for shopping too, even if there’s not the wide opening of a hatchback.

Jules: Speaking of boot, do you know how long it took me to find out how to open it? There’s a tiny sensor button in the rear Hyundai badge you need to press. It’s like a little secret; I loved it once I knew about it.

Sunday run

Iain: I’d only suggest getting the Sport model if you’re a keen driver and enjoy finding back roads. It truly shines on twisty bits. The Hyundai team is genius at transforming a dull Elantra sedan into a grin-giving treat.

Jules: The engine’s not one to rival a proper hot hatch like Hyundai’s own i30N. In Sport mode it is more responsive though, and fun enough for me.

Iain: The steering, balance and grip from those sporty tyres make it more fun than an Elantra was ever supposed to be. Flow it through some turns and you’re convinced you’re in a proper sports car. The manual version’s $2500 less if you want even more engagement.

The family

Jules: I love how spacious these sedans are in the back. Good head and legroom for adults, and the two kids had acres. We all kept hitting our heads on the door frames getting in and out though.

Iain: Sounds like user error to me, and due to that sloping roof. You’ve all got too spoiled by SUVs.

Jules: Right. The sedan body’s boot is great for golf clubs, but not kids’ bikes. We’d need a hatchback or ideally a wagon.

Iain: Safety suite is long, fuel use (cheap 91 RON) isn’t bad and Hyundai’s five-year warranty and service plan tick boxes as a safe family choice.

The verdict

Iain: I really enjoyed this car, it’s a great all-rounder, but I don’t know who’d buy it. Sporty-driving retirees maybe? Families will buy SUVs, and younger rev heads will surely go hot hatch over Elantra sedan.

Jules: It looks too pricey for first car buyers, so I’m with you on retirees. I’d like to think a cheeky old grandpa would take the scenic route in one of these to get the milk and paper, and come home with smoking tyres.

Hyundai Elantra Sport vitals

Price: $35,300 drive-away

Warranty/servicing: 5 years/unlimited km warranty, $1406 for 5 years/50,000km

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol, 150kW/265Nm, 7sp dual clutch auto

Safety: 5 Star, 6 airbags, AEB, blind-spot warning, driver attention warning, lane keep assist, rear cross traffic warning, rear camera and park sensors

Thirst: 7L/100km

Spare: Space-saver

Boot: 458L