Whereas its styling is a love-it-or-hate-it affair, there is not any denying the Elantra is a well-designed and value-packed compact sedan. It comes with a wonderful listing of ordinary options and among the best warranties within the business, with a beginning value simply shy of $25k in hybrid guise. Gasoline variations get a 2.0-liter engine, however the hybrid makes use of a 1.6L and an electrical motor to create 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. That is nothing in need of common when it comes to outputs, however the gasoline financial system return is the place the Elantra Hybrid improves much more as a price proposition. The bottom mannequin is able to returning 54 mpg, because it’s lighter in weight, whereas the Restricted mannequin we’re reviewing right here does 50 mpg. For 2023, the one updates to the Elantra apply to the gas-only fashions, so the Hybrid stays the identical.
Exterior: Love It Or Hate It
Hyundai’s whole lineup is at the moment primarily based round a fluid physique form accented with sharp creases that create distinctive shapes. The outcomes are glorious, with some great-looking automobiles that we predict embrace the Elantra. It is a new tackle the section, although. Whereas Honda has honed the Civic right into a sophisticated-looking automotive, Hyundai has chosen a extra eye-catching method. Although some could really feel it is too daring, it’s miles from being an unpleasant automotive, and hiding the flip alerts within the grille is a beautiful contact on any automotive. Each the Blue and Restricted trims come commonplace with LED daytime working lights, and the Restricted comes with LED headlights and taillights.
The Blue comes with a black entrance grille and 16-inch alloy wheels, whereas the Restricted comes with a darkish chrome entrance grille and 17-inch alloy wheels. On the highest trim, you additionally get an influence tilt-and-slide sunroof as commonplace.
Inside & Infotainment: Hitting The Worth Goal
It is spacious contained in the Elantra Hybrid, and luxury ranges are excessive. There’s additionally a contemporary model that is not excessive, which we recognize. The one criticism we have now is that it does not take lengthy earlier than issues begin to really feel a bit plasticky, which is one thing Hyundai is often higher at disguising. To maintain up with Honda and Toyota’s reputations, Hyundai goes to wish to enhance its construct high quality for the Elantra typically – we have now an Elantra N on take a look at, as that is being written, and it has the identical factor going in addition to a plasticky rattle from the infotainment display screen.
Base fashions include an eight-inch touchscreen for infotainment, however the Restricted will get a ten.25-inch show which is beautiful, clear, and straightforward to make use of. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, however solely by hooking the telephone up with a wire. Voice recognition, navigation, and wi-fi machine charging are additionally included on the highest trim, as is an eight-speaker Bose sound system.
Drivetrain: Surprisingly Sprightly
The Elantra Hybrid’s 1.6-liter gasoline engine and electrical motor system create 139 horsepower and as much as 195 lb-ft of torque between them. These are about as removed from earth-shattering numbers as you will get in 2023, however off the road, the Elantra Hybrid is surprisingly sprightly. Hustling by the town, it does not really feel like a penalty for the superior gasoline mileage. With out being instructed beforehand, you’d be hard-pressed to establish it as a hybrid automobile on the highway because the change from electrical to gasoline energy is so easy. It is value noting that the engine sound can break by, although, and sound buzzy when accelerating to rise up to the velocity of visitors shortly. The twin-clutch automated transmission is a excessive level, and it strikes by the gears easily.
There isn’t any must be super-sensitive on the gasoline pedal, both. All through our week with the automotive, and even driving up mountain roads, the battery did not deplete completely; the system confirmed us 53 mpg at one level.
On The Street: Completely Sufficient
Calling the Elantra Hybrid’s highway manners completely satisfactory may very well be taken for damning with faint reward, however we’re speaking a few fuel-efficient automotive that begins at slightly below $25,000: The important thing phrase there’s “completely.” There’s nothing that offends in the way in which the automotive handles lumps and bumps, the steering weight, the ability curve, or the way it feels as an occupant inside it. It drives very effectively as a automotive with a main purpose being to move folks from A to B in essentially the most cost-efficient means, with a bit of favor and luxury.
The cabin is quiet till the engine is pushed, and the experience is easy, regardless of the additional weight from the not-so-cost-effective impartial rear suspension. Try to drive it like a sports activities automotive, and you will be disillusioned. Drive it like a commuter and household automotive, and you will by no means complain.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Or The New Prius?
With the brand new Prius available on the market that boasts 57 mpg mixed, a brand new benchmark for gasoline financial system has been set. Nevertheless, the brand new Prius has some pointless annoyances that we found on our take a look at drive, which leads us to counsel any automotive over the Prius. The Corolla Hybrid is the subsequent finest wager, however Toyota seems to have hobbled it in options so it does not poach Prius gross sales, and that is the place the Elantra Hybrid shines. It is a way more feature-rich package deal. Until Toyota pulls itself collectively and realizes simply how good a full-feature Corolla Hybrid can be, the Elantra Hybrid is the perfect small hybrid sedan available on the market in case you decide it on value, experience, options, and gasoline financial system.