It’s hard to find anything in a coupe body style on the new car market today, especially one that costs less than $20,000. However, if you look at the used market, then you’ll find older two-door cars selling for dirt cheap. One such model is the Hyundai Elantra Coupe, which is a good car if you’re looking for something affordable and relatively sporty.
2014 Hyundai Elantra Coupe in red. | Hyundai
The Hyundai Elantra Coupe lived a short life
If you don’t remember or have never heard of the Hyundai Elantra Coupe, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Hyundai only produced this Honda Civic Coupe rival from 2013 to 2014 and eventually discontinued it due to low sales, so it wasn’t exactly a household name. But that’s a good thing because now you can find good used examples nationwide for anywhere from $6,000 to $12,000.
Why would anyone want to buy an Elantra Coupe now if no one wanted it in the first place?
Four words: basic two-door transportation. The Elantra Coupe was once a Civic fighter but is now a good sensible car for a teen going off to college. Of course, it fits an older demographic as well.
Are you a young urban professional in need of a fuel-efficient car that looks cooler than a “boring” four-door sedan? Buy an Elantra Coupe. Are you a boomer that wants “something sporty,” but has no need for a visceral sports car? The Elantra Coupe is here for you, too
What does this two-door Hyundai Elantra have to offer?
It doesn’t take a car designer to realize that the Hyundai Elantra Coupe was essentially a regular Elantra sedan minus two doors. That being said, it offered the same equipment and engine as its quad-doored brother, but its wheelbase was 0.4-inch longer and its wingspan was wider when the doors opened.
Otherwise, if you check out a 2013 model, then you can expect to find a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine under the hood. The powerplant put out 148 hp and a less-than-stellar 138 lb-ft of torque. But if you want more power, then find a 2014 model, which came with a larger 2.0-liter engine that put out 173 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque.
Both engines could be mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission and achieve EPA-estimated fuel economy numbers in the mid-30 mpg range in mixed driving situations.
As far as in-cabin features, the Elantra Coupe came standard with Bluetooth, heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a six-speaker audio system with a 4.3-inch touchscreen and all of your basic radio functions.
If you need more than just the basics, then you can find an Elantra Coupe equipped with the optional Technology package. According to Edmunds, that package added features like a sunroof, leather seats, keyless ignition and entry, a rearview camera, and an upgraded audio system with a larger 7-inch display.
How does the Elantra Coupe drive?
2014 Hyundai Elantra Coupe in red. | Hyundai
The editors at Edmunds noted that the Hyundai Elantra Coupe “makes for an entertaining drive,” with “reasonably quick” acceleration and “impressively smooth” shifts from its six-speed automatic transmission. However, they also noted that its suspension is a little stiff, which can lead to a busy ride on uneven pavement. Again, it’s not a genuine sports car, but the Elantra Coupe can provide some entertainment on your normal commute.
The Elantra Coupe could be the answer if you need a cheap commuter car
2014 Hyundai Elantra Coupe interior | Hyundai
Ultimately, if you need a basic form of transportation that looks more exciting than a sedan and feels a little more entertaining to drive, then the Hyundai Elantra Coupe could be the answer. If anything, just remember to look for a 2014 model as the larger engine backs up the cars sporty aesthetic better.
Keyword: Need a Cheap and Sporty Car? Don’t Sleep on the 2014 Hyundai Elantra Coupe