The Hyundai Elantra has developed a reputation as a steady, reliable yet drab compact car. It’s the ham sandwich of cars: you know what you’re gonna get, you’ll enjoy it reasonably and it’ll get you through your day.  While performance and panache are not essential to the economy car market, some competitors—the Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta, for example—are able to get the lead out while keeping costs low. For those who prefer their ham sandwiches toasted with melted Swiss and a bit of chipotle aioli, the Elantra hasn’t had much to offer—until now.  FOLLOW DAILY NEWS AUTOS ON FACEBOOK. 'LIKE' US HERE.  The Elantra has introduced a Sport version that is actually, well, sporty.  With a 1.6-liter Turbo GDI four-cylinder engine replacing last year’s 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder and a new design that is reminiscent of the Mazda3, the 2017 Elantra Sport is worth a look for driving enthusiasts looking for a bargain.  Horsepower has been increased from 173 in the 2016 model to 200 in the 2017. Likewise, torque has jumped from 154 pound-feet to 190. Add in a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters along with a multi-link rear suspension that promises a more dynamic driving experience and Hyundai is starting to encroach on Jetta GLI territory.  The new Elantra Sport also looks the part. Hyundai has dumped the round, Prius-like body of Elantras past in favor of a more angular body with a longer hood and more powerful lines to go with that new, Mazda3-esque grille and elongated headlights.  The elephant in the room or rather the elephant suspiciously missing from the room is price. It’s not yet clear how much 2017 Elantra Sport will cost or how its price tag will compare to that of the Jetta GLI, the standard bearer in the world of performance-oriented compact sedans. In 2016, the Jetta GLI had an MSRP that was a solid $9,000 more than the Elantra Sport, which clocked in at a little more than $20,000 for a manual transmission.  With all the reworking and restyling done by Hyundai, it’s tough to imagine it won’t be asking for a little more coin this time around. If the Elantra Sport enters the Jetta GLI’s $30,000 neighborhood, it will be a tough sell for Hyundai; if it leapfrogs Volkswagen pricing all together, then it might be in some real trouble.  The 2017 Elantra Sport is due to hit dealerships this fall, so we’ll find out soon enough.  Did you find this article helpful? If so, please share it using the "Join the Conversation" buttons below, and thank you for visiting Daily News Autos.
With a new look and a new engine, the Elantra Sport will look to compete with the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.