Review: Hyundai MD.I Elantra (2011-13)

Overview

Released in June 2011, the Hyundai MD Series I (MD.I) Elantra was a small, four-door sedan. Manufactured in Ulsan, South Korea, the front-wheel drive Elantra was powered 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engines that were mated to either six-speed manual or automatic transmissions. Furthermore, the MD Elantra range consisted of Active, Elite and Premium variants (see table below).

G4NB engine

The 1.8-litre G4NB ‘Nu’ petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable intake and exhaust valve timing (Hyundai’s Dual Continuously Variable Valve timing or D-CVVT), a variable induction system, electronic throttle control and a compression ratio of 10.3:1.

Dimensions and body

Compared to its HD Elantra predecessor, the MD Elantra was 25 mm longer (at 4530 mm) and had a 50 mm longer wheelbase (2700 mm), but was 55 mm lower (1435 mm) and width was unchanged (1775 mm). The new body had a coefficient of drag of 0.28, while the increased use of high-strength steel contributed to a 37 per cent increase in body stiffness and a lower body weight.

Steering and suspension

The MD Elantra had electric power-assisted steering, MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle.

Hyundai MD.I Elantra specifications
Engine	Variants	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
1.8-litre petrol I4	Active	6sp man., 6sp auto	110 kW at 6500 rpm	178 Nm at 4700 rpm
1.8-litre petrol I4	Elite, Premium	6sp auto	110 kW at 6500 rpm	178 Nm at 4700 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the MD Elantra included dual front airbags, front side (thorax) airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, ABS, brake assist electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

ANCAP crash testing

In ANCAP crash testing , the MD Elantra received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.21 out of 37. In the offset crash test, there was a slight risk of serious chest injury for the driver and a slight risk of lower leg injury for both front occupants. In the side impact test, the seat-mounted thorax airbag did not deploy as intended and there was a moderate risk of serious chest injury for the driver. Hyundai Australia assessed that the failure of the airbag to deploy as intended was a ‘one off’.

Features

Standard features for the Elantra Active included 15-inch steel wheels (with a full size spare), a six speaker sound system with CD player, with MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod), air conditioning, cloth seats, cruise control, 60/40 split and folding seats, steering wheel audio and Bluetooth controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a height adjustable driver’s seat, map lights, a 12 volt power outlet, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

The Elantra Elite was further equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, knit cloth seats, front fog lights, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, rear parking sensors and push button start.

Beyond this, the Elantra Premium added 17-inch alloy wheels, leather/leatherette seats, a reversing camera, a power-operated tilt/slide sunroof and an electrochromatic rear view mirror.

July 2012: Elantra update

In July 2012, the MD Elantra underwent a minor update with the introduction of a new audio system with a five-inch colour touch screen, chrome interior door handles and more aerodynamic windscreen wipers.

Review: Hyundai MD.II Elantra (2013-15)