
It's an interesting time for the compact car class. On one hand, we're seeing the rise of the hatchback. On the other, we're seeing the compact coupe market dwindle. Think about it: When the Chevrolet Cobalt became the Cruze, the coupe bodystyle went away. And when the Ford Focus was redesigned for 2012, the two-door died, but the five-door returned.
That said, it came as no surprise that when Hyundai replaced its Elantra Touring with the stylish new GT, it took on a more traditional five-door shape. But that isn't the only new addition to the model range for 2013. We now have this, the Elantra Coupe, which the Korean automaker hopes will appeal to a younger set of buyers desiring something that's more fashionable than all-around useful. Call it, "cheerleader chic."
With its attractive design and affordable price point, the Elantra Coupe certainly appears to be a hit with that younger, more style-conscious demographic. We donned our best sunglasses and hit the coast of California to see what's what.


It's the spitting image of its four-door sister, albeit with a few cosmetic updates.
Unlike the Euro-tweaked GT, the Elantra Coupe is basically the spitting image of its four-door sister, albeit with a few small updates and an additional four-tenths of an inch of overall length. The lower front fascia has been freshened to incorporate more angular, pronounced foglamps that, combined with a blacked-out grille, give the coupe a more aggressive appearance. The new look is rounded off with a small piece of chrome trim around the hexagonal grille. Call it lipstick if you wish, but it really looks nice.