Overview
Compact sedans such as the 2024 Elantra are widely viewed as basic transportation—great for first-time car buyers, fuel-efficient, and easy to park in tight spots—but the Hyundai also brings a ton of style and a whole lot of value. The sharp exterior design turns heads but the Elantra doesn’t skimp on traditional compact-car traits. Its cabin is spacious for its size and an available hybrid powertrain boosts the Elantra’s fuel-sipper cred. The base powertrain is a breathless 2.0-liter four-cylinder, but the N-Line model comes with a turbocharged 1.6-liter that offers a bit more zest. Even so, none of the Elantra models will raise its driver’s pulse. Its handling is less entertaining than rivals such as the Honda Civic and the Mazda 3, both of which offer crisper steering and a more agile overall feel. For performance-oriented drivers, the full-on Elantra N model (reviewed separately) is far more satisfying than the regular Elantra, but it also costs a lot more.
What’s New for 2024?
Hyundai’s compact car is sold under the name Avante in Korea, which has been facelifted with a sharper-looking front end, updated exterior lighting elements, and new wheels. We expect the U.S.-market Elantra to adopt these new styling changes for the 2024 model year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The midrange SEL model offers the best balance of price and features. Standard content over the SE includes a hands-free trunk release and SiriusXM. Additionally, opting for the SEL over the SE makes more worthwhile options available. For instance, we’d tick the box for the SEL Convenience package, which adds a 10.3-inch digital cluster in addition to a 10.3-inch center display for the infotainment system with built-in navigation; adaptive cruise control; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; a wireless smartphone charging pad; heated front seats; heated mirrors; and more.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The standard nonhybrid Elantra powertrain is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes out a not-very-exciting 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque under the hood of SE and SEL models. Opting for the sportier N Line model drops displacement to 1.6 liters and adds a turbocharger, resulting in a much livelier 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid models also utilize a 1.6-liter four-pot but it’s paired with an electric motor rather than a turbo, which results in slightly less horsepower than the base engine at 139 but more torque at 195 pound-feet–equal to that of the N Line. The SE and SEL’s base 2.0-liter engine is mated to a CVT (continuously variable transmission) while the N Line, Blue Hybrid, and Limited Hybrid models get a DCT (dual-clutch transmission). Notably, the N Line gets a seven-speed DCT compared to the hybrids’ six-speed DCT. The hottest, enthusiast’s pick of the Elantra line by far is the performance-oriented N, which we review separately. But those who can’t quite stomach that car’s price tag could consider the tamer N Line model. After a brief test drive, we came away impressed with the N Line’s perkier acceleration and its adept handling, which ups the athleticism without compromising the ride.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA estimates the Elantra with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder will earn up to 33 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. Models with the turbocharged 1.6-liter four have estimates as high as 28 mpg city and 36 highway. The thriftiest hybrid Elantra is rated at 53 mpg city and 56 highway. On our 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, which is part of our extensive testing regimen, the Elantra hybrid managed only a 48-mpg result while the nonhybrid Limited with the base engine netted 38 mpg. By comparison, a Corolla hybrid hit 56 mpg in our highway test. For more information about the Elantra’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
To match its dramatic exterior, the cabin of the Elantra looks appropriately futuristic. The dashboard and center console wrap around the driver while the passenger’s side takes a more minimalist approach. A single LED strip follows the dashboard-spanning air vent across the width of the car from the steering column to the passenger’s-side door panel. Passenger volume is generous, particularly in the rear seat, which helps the Elantra compete with roomier rivals such as the Sentra and the Volkswagen Jetta. It’s not as luxurious as it looks in photos, though; there’s plenty of hard plastic inside, which isn’t surprising in this price class. In our testing, the Elantra fit six carry-on suitcases inside its trunk.
Infotainment and Connectivity
An optional 10.3-inch digital gauge display rubs elbows with a second 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that sprouts from the top of the Elantra’s dashboard. The standard infotainment setup is an 8.0-inch center display and analog gauges for the instrument cluster. Hyundai’s latest infotainment interface takes center stage here. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is a Wi-Fi connection. A voice-recognition feature allows the driver to adjust things such as the climate control or the heated seats by simply uttering specific phrases.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Driver-assistance features are on the menu and many of them are offered as standard. For more information about the Elantra’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The Elantra comes standard with Hyundai’s legendary 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The only competitor that can match the Elantra in terms of standard warranty protection is its corporate sibling, the Kia Forte, although it should be noted that while Hyundai offers three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, Kia does not.
- Limited warranty covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Hyundai Elantra Limited
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $26,455/$26,610
Options: carpeted floor mats, $155
ENGINE
DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle inline-4, aluminum block and head, port fuel injection
Displacement: 122 in3, 1999 cm3
Power: 147 hp @ 6200 rpm
Torque: 132 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/torsion beam
Brakes, F/R: 11.0-in vented disc/10.3-in disc
Tires: Kumho Majesty Solus
225/45R-17 91W M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Length: 184.1 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 55.7 in
Passenger Volume: 100 ft3
Trunk Volume: 14 ft3
Curb Weight: 2895 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.3 sec @ 88 mph
100 mph: 22.1 sec
120 mph: 37.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 8.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.1 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.5 sec
Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 124 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 175 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.88 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 35 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 38 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 35/31/41 mpg
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2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $29,105/$29,260
Options: carpeted floor mats, $155
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection, 104 hp, 109 lb-ft + AC motor, 43 hp, 125 lb-ft (combined output: 139 hp, 195 lb-ft; 1.32-kWh lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink; Brakes, F/R: 11.0-in vented disc/10.3-in disc; Tires: Hankook Kinergy GT 225/45R-17 91W M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 107.1 in
Length: 184.1 in
Width: 71.9 in
Height: 55.7 in
Passenger Volume: 100 ft3
Trunk Volume: 14 ft3
Curb Weight: 3088 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 8.4 sec
1/4-Mile: 16.5 sec @ 85 mph
100 mph: 24.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 9.0 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.2 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 116 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 171 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.85 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 40 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 48 mpg
Highway Range: 520 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 50/49/52 mpg
