AS it is based on the Elantra small car, the LaVita shares its drivetrain layout. The four-cylinder engine sits transverely in the engine bay and drives the front wheels via either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox. Despite its GLS namenclature, the LaVita does not get the 2.0-litre engine fitted to the Elantra GLS, rather a detuned version of the 1.8 found in the GL.