Breezing through Cebu with the Hyundai Elantra

MANILA, Philippines – When people use “ride and drive” and “countryside” in a sentence, rugged pickups and SUVs often come to mind, leaving the city-dwelling sedans back at home. Sound assumption or unfair bias? Sometimes, we all need that reminder that the smaller four-wheeled brethren also have what it takes to hang with the big boys.

Hyundai Philippines recently brought members of the media to the exquisite Kandaya Resort in Daanbantayan, Cebu. As you can surmise from the preceding paragraph, we didn’t take the hardy Tucson or the tough-as-nails Santa Fe. Instead we took their sedan brother, the all-new Hyundai Elantra.

Given the sometimes challenging roads in the country, cruising filled only a portion of our four-hour ride and drive to Kandaya Resort. Throughout Cebu’s unpredictable roads, we were able to test the Elantra’s different capabilities. How did it drive? Let’s break it down.

The new Elantra comes in three powerful variants: the 1.6 GL 6M/T, the 1.6 GL 6A/T, and the 2.0 GLS A/T. For our little trek in Cebu, members of the media drove the latter two variants; one for the first ride and the other for the return trip. Our first vehicle was the 1.6 GL 6A/T.

The model’s most noticeable change is its design revamp. The new Elantra sports Hyundai’s ever-evolving Fluidic Sculpture 2.0. Just short of a complete overhaul, the Elantra features less sharp curves and more definition that brings its front fascia to the fore all on its own. With Hyundai’s signature large hexagonal grille and sporty projection lamps, the new Elantra energetically stands out in both urban and rural settings.

The Elantra has an enhanced chassis made up of more than 53 percent ultra-high strength steel (whose grade is 32 percent higher than the previous model), reinforced B-pillars, and dual impact beams for better body rigidity and crash protection.

Its aerodynamics maximizes stability and fuel efficiency from the top all the way to the air curtain surrounding the wheel. The new wheel arch design expresses the car’s dynamic road presence, setting the new model apart from other vehicles on the road. The roof flows back to the trunk almost seamlessly, with the sides left simple and unembellished, while understated lines on the shoulders create an elegant and smooth look.

The Elantra comes in two engine variants: a 2.0L engine with 152ps and 19.6 kg-m for the top-of-the-line GLS and a 1.6L powertrain with 127.5ps and 15.7 kg-m for the GL.

Both variants have a 6-speed automatic transmission. Both also come equipped with Hyundai’s Shiftronic manumatic transmission system, making provincial roads a breeze for the Elantra, especially in uphill drives and when overtaking hazards on the road.

Inside, refined active character lines are ergonomically positioned to enable intuitive operation, elements that are inherited from Hyundai’s luxury range of the Sonata and the Genesis. Dashboard buttons are grouped according to functions. The cockpit display is angled 6.9 degrees toward the driver, and soft-touch and high-quality materials are used across the surfaces for convenience.

Four hours per trip can be tiring even for the more seasoned drivers. Luckily, the Elantra is engineered for comfort. Whether you’re the current driver or resting after a driver change, the spacious interior has got you covered. The new Elantra is 20mm longer and 25mm wider than the previous generation. Advanced ergonomically designed fabric seats give both driver and passenger better comfort and flexibility during travel. Also, for the first time, the new Elantra now has a rear air ventilation system. I was easily able to doze off while riding as a passenger, even for the tight turns.

For entertainment, the new Elantra boasts a 5-inch 6-speaker monitor infotainment system with FM/AM radio, CD, USB, and AUX connectivity.

The ride to Kandaya Resort was hardly a stressful one, but for those barreling through hairy and risky situations, the new Elantra’s convenience and safety features ensure security and stability for both driver and passengers. The headlamps have an auto-on feature that turns on your headlamps when it detects you’re driving in the dark. A rear park assist system guides drivers into and out of tight parking spots while a smart key/push-to-start system takes the hassle out of fumbling for the key from your bag or pocket.

Whether you’re the driver or a passenger, four hours’ worth of driving (and another four going back) is well worth it for a view as picturesque as Kandaya Resort’s beachfront. Even as we dragged it into the beachfront for a photoshoot, the Elantra handled marvelously on the sand.

Kandaya Resort is a rare gem in the sand that offers a lot more than just relaxing on the beach with a good book. It has been one of the most luxurious and comfortable resorts I’ve been in, from the white sands of the beach to the sizable villas right beside the shore.

In many ways, the new Elantra mimics the hidden beauty of Kandaya Resort. It conquered both the city and the countryside with ease. Bang-for-the-buck, the Elantra is a paragon of performance and comfort tightly wound into a sedan-sized package.