Hyundai’s Elantra sedan has already proven very popular in Australia and elsewhere. Improving on this success, the Hyundai Elantra SE (SE standing for Special Edition) has now arrived to take things to a new level.

The Hyundai Elantra SE shares a lot of features with the Series II Elantra that it is based on. Like its humbler twin, it has been designed with safety- and economy-minded families in mind. The Hyundai Elantra SE has enough room to seat five adults comfortably and it has a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Other safety features in the Hyundai Elantra SE, both active and passive, include the VSM (vehicle stability management) system incorporating electronic stability control and traction control, rear parking sensors, reinforced safety zones made from tough steel (which, the manufacturers claim, is smelted from Australian iron ore – so you know it’s good!), three-point rear seat belts with child seat anchors and six strategically positioned airbags.

To look at, the Hyundai Elantra SE is somewhat reminiscent of some of those rocks that have been sculpted into interesting shapes by wind erosion. These curving lines aren’t just for good looks – they’re also for extra aerodynamics for better fuel economy. The exterior design is one place where the Hyundai Elantra SE differs from the base Elantra, as it sits perkily on 16-inch alloy wheels rather than 15-inch ones.

The place where the fuel economy really happens, though, is under the bonnet. This isn’t to say that the engine available for the Hyundai Elantra SE is sluggish. Far from it. This 16-valve DOHC 1.8-litre engine with dual continuously variable valve timing is pretty peppy and eager to please with 110 kW of power at 6500 rpm and 178 Nm of torque at 4700 rpm.  This can be harnessed to the front wheels via a six-speed transmission, which can be either manual or automatic. In the manual, the combined fuel economy is 6.6 L/100 km; in the automatic, it’s 7.1 L/100/km. The driving experience in the Hyundai Elantra SE is kept enjoyable with the cruise control and the Flex Steer steering system, for which you can select different modes depending on your driving style and circumstances (choose from Normal, Sport or Comfort).

As the Hyundai Elantra SE is designed to be a family sedan with a bit of that extra special something, you’ll find plenty to keep everybody and everything comfortable inside the capacious cabin. You’ll be sitting on leather-appointed seats (which means a mixture of leather and cloth), while the goodies you need to carry with you can ride comfortably in any of the multitude of storage areas placed around the inside, including the chilled glovebox. The driver is able to stay in control at all times, as the multifunction premium steering wheel exclusive to the Hyundai Elantra SE is fitted with audio controls. Other bells and whistles include Bluetooth preparation with hands-free function and audio streaming, USB input and iPod compatibility for the sound system, a 5-inch touch-screen audio control display, keyless entry plus heaps more!

The other good news for economy-minded family buyers is that the Hyundai Elantra SE doesn’t cost masses more than the humbler Series II Elantra. All in all, the Hyundai Elantra SE is a good, sound option that is likely to appeal as a roomy family car that isn’t too big and isn’t too small, and combines practicality with snappy modern looks.

Current model series include:

• Hyundai Elantra SE

For any more information on the Hyundai Elantra SE, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quotes requests out to our national network of Hyundai dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!