2026 Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GL 6AT

Back To Basics

Call it an unofficial age reveal - I'm fortunate to have witnessed the time when sedans dominated the passenger car market. Up until the early to late-2000s, four-doors were aplenty and were a favorite of fleet customers, first-time car buyers, and those looking for a budget family vehicle.

As for Hyundai's Elantra, not everyone might remember that it's been around in the Philippines since the late 90s. Most would remember the Starex in that era, but actually the Elantra carved itself a nice slice of the sedan market and made a name for itself. It was even used in motorsports for a brief period.

After the sixth-generation, however, the Elantra went away for a while, during the time when Hyundai went through a change in local distributorship. Recently, Hyundai brought back the Elantra, which is now on its seventh generation. While some might question its timing on a shrinking segment, Hyundai is now offering the Elantra with various powertrains.

We already got to test both the turbocharged N Line and the highly-efficient Elantra Hybrid, so it was only natural for us to test the entry-level GL automatic. With simpler mechanics and a shorter list of features, is the Elantra GL still a worthy buy in a sea of crossovers and electrified vehicles?

Despite being the “base” model of the lineup, there is nothing basic about the Elantra GL in terms of design. From the moment you lay your eyes on the front fascia to admiring the curvaceous lines on the rear and side, the Elantra oozes sophistication. It has a long hood and short deck design, which gives it a sleek and dynamic appearance that's normally associated with more premium vehicles.

Both the front and rear fascias are eye-catching and come with eye-catching LED headlights, along with dynamic-looking LED taillights. Since it sits low to the ground, the Elantra looks as if it’s ready to pounce while also giving the illusion of movement even while standing still, thanks to its sheer road presence and sharp aesthetics.

Then there's the ‘Z’ character line on the doors that you can only see from certain angles. I only noticed them when I was reviewing the pictures, and I was surprised Hyundai was able to incorporate that into the sedan's design. Meanwhile, the LED taillights with their fang-like design and light bar, combined with the angular trunk lid and broad shoulder lines, further highlight the Elantra's sleek appearance. Hyundai even put a flush-mounted reverse camera just above the Hyundai logo on the trunk lid for better fit & finish.

Perhaps the only thing that lets the Elantra down in terms of looks is the 16-inch alloy wheels. It's the same wheels that can be found on the Elantra Hybrid. While they look nice, Hyundai could do better in giving the GL a nicer set. But then again, this is the base model GL, so it only gets a basic set of alloys.

Overall, the Elantra GL excels in the styling department thanks to Hyundai’s attention to detail and making what is essentially an econobox into a stylish vehicle that some mistake for a premium sedan. Everywhere I went, the Elantra gathered looks from passers-by and from other motorists. Some were even surprised to know it was a Hyundai, as they thought it was an entirely different vehicle.

Hop inside, and the Elantra GL welcomes you into a spacious and feature-packed cabin. It may not be as flashy or sporty as the N Line variant, but for those looking at a no-frills but ergonomic interior, the Elantra GL will not disappoint. It may not have leather upholstery, but the fabric seats combined with their comfy cushions and backrests translate to a relaxing ride. Despite sitting low to the ground, getting in or out of the Elantra GL is easy thanks to the doors that open almost 90 degrees, which is always a plus in my opinion.

As mentioned earlier, this particular Elantra has notable features despite being an entry-level model. For starters, it has wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay from its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is always nice to have. It has a fully-digital instrument cluster derived from the previous Stargazer and even comes with a multi-info display. It doesn’t come with ADAS, but Hyundai still gave it cruise control, which is a godsend for drivers who regularly go on long drives. It also has fast charging USB-C ports in the front and for the rear passengers that really work and can recharge your mobile devices in just several minutes.

No climate control here, as the Elantra GL only comes with manual air-conditioning. But don’t let that fool you because the aircon of the Elantra GL is quite powerful. Most of the time, I only set the fan to ‘2’ and set the temperature a few degrees from maximum cooling. I even sometimes turn the aircon off while driving at night just so I wouldn't shiver.

The Elantra GL may be considered basic, but I was still surprised by the number of amenities Hyundai was able to put in the sedan. It even has a six-speaker sound system that pushes above decent in terms of audio quality. Perhaps the only part of the cabin I find disappointing was the heavy use of hard plastic (i.e., cheap).

Under the hood is a 1.6L naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that makes a respectable 128 PS at 6300 rpm with 155 Nm of torque at 4850 rpm. The engine is then saddled with a 6-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. That's right, no fancy dual-clutch gearbox or belt-driven CVT, but an honest-to-goodness torque converter.

In today's automotive market that's dominated by high-tech and sophisticated vehicles, driving something simple like the Elantra GL is refreshing. Yes, it may be considered “old” by some, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? A push of a button brings to life the 1.6L engine, which sounds smooth even at cold starts or while idling. Instead of a high-tech column or steering wheel-mounted shifter, the Elantra gets the good ol' T-bar gear selector on the center console.

Off the line, the Elantra GL has smooth power delivery and remains hush in low revs. This is due to the 1.6L engine that’s nicely paired with the 6-speed automatic. Despite peak torque being produced near 4900 rpm, there is sufficient pull from low rpms to get the vehicle moving from a standstill, as well as maintain a certain speed while in the city.

If you need to overtake or want to drive more spiritedly, the transmission can be set to Sport Mode and comes with manual select. It won't exactly be setting up lap times, but the 1.6L engine does deliver more pep when engaged to Sport thanks to the more aggressive transmission. It doesn't have paddle shifters, but using the sequential shift does make for a more fun driving experience.

When it comes to fuel economy, the Elantra delivers in spades. It can easily return up to 11 km/L in light city driving and can even go all the way to 12 km/L if you're really easy on the accelerator at speeds of up to 30 km/h. Take it out on the open road, and fuel economy can reach up to 18 km/L at an average speed of 90 km/h. If you're the kind of driver who likes to hypermile, the Elantra can sip fuel up to 19 km/L.

Another thing I liked about the Elantra GL is its Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) deadening. Outside noise is kept to a minimum while engine & transmission noise remain hushed at low speeds. Even when going over rough roads or hitting bumps, the Elantra keeps its composure thanks to its relatively long wheelbase and soft dampers.

One more aspect that surprised me with the Elantra is its handling. We already got to drive the Elantra N Line and were impressed with how agile it was. The same can be said for the Elantra GL, despite not being geared for performance. There's always feedback coming to the steering wheel, which means you know what the front wheels are doing. Yes, it has a soft ride, but the Elantra GL doesn't wallow through the turns.

With a price tag of PHP 1.195 million, the Hyundai Elantra GL is perhaps the most affordable compact sedan from an established brand in the country. The Toyota Corolla Altis 1.8 E CVT retails for PHP 1.213 million, while the GAC Empow GS has a sticker price of PHP 1.225 million. And if you're thinking of getting the “base” Honda Civic V Turbo, you have to cough up PHP 1.6 million.

It may not have the most powerful engine or the most high-tech transmission, but it's still easy on the fuel bills, which also translates to simpler maintenance. Its soft and pliant ride is great for those who value comfort over performance. It doesn't have all the toys, but it still gets plenty of features like wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, which is slowly becoming a normal feature on almost every new vehicle.

Just because a car is basic doesn't automatically mean it's boring or lacking. Sometimes, having a simpler vehicle means automakers can be more creative when giving it features, which Hyundai was able to do for the Elantra GL.

Perhaps the only hill the Elantra GL has to face is competitive pricing when faced against the new-generation of Chinese vehicles that offer more bang for buck. But as I mentioned before, the Elantra GL's simpler mechanics translate to lower running costs in the long run, which some customers prefer over the latest tech.