Hyundai Elantra SR Turbo first drive review

It's not a hot hatch, but Hyundai has warmed up the Elantra.

The small sedan has been re-worked and re-tuned to make it faster, sportier and more fun to drive to create the Elantra SR Turbo, as the South Korean brand prepares to launch its N Performance brand.

And if this is a sign of things to come from N Performance, and Hyundai's sporty cars in general, the future looks promising.

Having said that, it is important to remember the Elantra SR isn't a hot hatch, or hot sedan, and isn't trying to be. It is aimed a step lower down the rung of the performance ladder and is priced accordingly. It starts at $28,990 (plus on-road costs) which is, as a comparison, $10,000 cheaper than the Ford Focus ST.

The Elantra SR Turbo isn't a simple cosmetic update, though, but rather a holistic approach to improving the compact sedan. The engine is new, the rear suspension is new and the styling has been re-done inside and out.

Under the bonnet the 2.0-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine has been replaced by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged unit. It takes power to 150kW (up from 112kW) and torque raises to 265Nm (from 192Nm). It's the same engine used in the Veloster hatch, but with a slightly different tune to make the performance spread more evenly across the rev range.

It's mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which sends power to the front wheels.

The other major change is the rear suspension. Gone is the simpler torsion beam rear end of the standard Elantra, replaced with the brand's latest multi-link independent set-up. This is the same suspension that will feature on the high end models of the next generation i30 hatch that is due in 2017.

As is the case with most Hyundai models sold in Australia the suspension has been tested and tuned to meet the unique demands of our local road conditions.

That tailoring was highlighted during our first experience of the Elantra SR recently, when we pitched it against some of the best driving roads in Australia, across the Victorian Alps between Albury and Bairnsdale.

The roads throw up every combination of twist and turn you can imagine but the Elantra SR felt at home. The suspension is well sorted, offering up excellent grip and response but still retaining compliance; so bumps are absorbed rather than jarring the cabin like in some hot hatches.

The steering is excellent as well, being both nicely weighted and providing good feedback to the driver.

The engine matches the dynamics too, offering up good pulling power from low down in the rev range and staying strong across the middle. It isn't overwhelmingly powerful but it has more than adequate grunt for its role.

However, the differences between a 'warm' and 'hot' hatch/sedan do become evident.

Hankook tyres do a respectable job but can be pushed beyond the limits and begin to squeal and lose grip.

But the biggest problem with the Elantra SR are its brakes. Hyundai enlarged the front brake rotors by 25mm to try and compensate for the extra performance, but it isn't enough.

The single-piston calipers bite hard at first but quickly begin to fade; a few repeated big stops resulted in a noticeably longer brake pedal during our test drive.

Hyundai has done a nice job with dressing the Elantra SR up too. There is a new bodykit and 17-inch alloy wheels to give it a different look to the rest of the range, as well as bi-Xenon headlights.

Inside it adds a new flat-bottom steering wheel, carbon fibre-look trim on the dashboard and door inserts, alloy sports pedals and red-stitching. It also adds heated sports front seats, that offer good support and comfort, and a sunroof.

It makes it an appealing value proposition, even excluding the dynamic changes. Once you do factor in the improvements in the way it drives and the Elantra SR is an impressive machine on many levels.

2016 Hyundai Elantra SR Turbo pricing and specifications

On sale: Now

Price: $28,990 (man)/$31,290 (auto) plus on-road costs

Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol

Power: 150kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 265Nm at 1500-4500rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, front-wheel drive

Fuel use: 7.7L/100km (man)/7.2L/100km

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