2019 Hyundai Elantra Review

Attractive styling, advanced features and competitive pricing make the 2019 Hyundai Elantra among the strongest contenders in the compact car segment. Refreshed for 2019, the Elantra sedan boasts a more refined look. The hatchback remains unchanged for 2019.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra is a compact car available as a sedan or hatchback that seats five people. The sedan is available in six trim levels: SE, SEL, Value Edition, Limited, Eco and Sport. The hatchback, Elantra GT, comes in a base model and an N Line trim. A four-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. The Eco and Sport models are powered by turbocharged engines.

Hyundai restyled the Elantra sedan for the 2019 model year and added new standard equipment. Upgrades include a standard 5-inch display and a new instrument panel and center stack console. New options include a next-generation infotainment system and “safe exit assist.” The new feature that can prevent passengers from opening the rear doors of the parked car if a vehicle is approaching. The hatchback GT is now available in the new performance-themed N trim.

Exterior

The redesign of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra includes a new hood, front fenders, front fascia, grille and headlights. The oversized grille and headlights are the most significant changes. The new look helps the Elantra stay in step with the recently refreshed Sonata. A new trunk, taillights and rear fascia transform the back. The fact that Hyundai has completed such an exhaustive refresh only two years after launching an all-new vehicle is a testimony to the brand’s motivation to stay current. 

Standard features include projector-style headlights, daytime running lights, power-adjustable mirrors, a driver’s side blind-spot mirror,  body-color door handles and 15-inch steel wheels. Available features include LED headlights, LED daytime running lights , LED taillights, automatic high beams, heated mirrors, a power sunroof, a hands-free trunk, an aerodynamic body kit and 15- through 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Interior

The 2019 Elantra’s new look is evident inside the vehicle as well. Hyundai does an excellent job building affordable vehicles that offer comfortable, well-built interiors. A mix of soft- and hard-touch surfaces creates a nice environment. Front seating is spacious and comfortable, and there’s adequate headroom and legroom. The supportive seats are wrapped in long-wearing cloth. A driver-centric design yields easy access to the Elantra’s controls, which remain actual buttons and knobs. The Elantra’s rear seating is good for two adults or three small children. Cargo space is exceptional. The sedan offers 14.4 cubic feet of trunk space, which is plenty of room for a long weekend’s worth of luggage. The 60/40-split folding rear seat allows the trunk to spill over into the rear seating area. Drivers who opt for the GT hatchback get almost 25 cubic feet of room behind the rear seats and 55.1 cubic feet when they are folded down. 

Standard features include a six-way adjustable driver’s seat, manual air conditioning and an attractive tilt-and-telescoping multifunction steering wheel. Options include leather upholstery, heated front seats and sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Performance

Compact vehicles have come a long way in terms of driving dynamics and performance. Hyundai’s wide range of engine and transmission choices provides buyers with a number of options. Whether the goal is efficiency (Eco), performance (Sport, GT and N Line) or a little of both, there’s a suitable Elantra trim. Handling and braking are good, especially in the sport-tuned models. The suspension offers a forgiving ride without sacrificing all connection with the road.

The base Elantra sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive are included; a six-speed automatic transmission is available. The base Elantra is EPA-rated at 26/36 mpg city/highway. Eco trim models get a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 128 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque. The fuel-efficient engine is paired with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Elantra ECO earns EPA ratings of 32/40 mpg city/highway. The GT gets a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard. The Sport model is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. An enthusiast-pleasing six-speed manual is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is available. The GT N Line shares that powertrain. The Sport’s larger turbo engine gives the Elantra a nice boost in power, performance and fun. It works well with the six-speed manual and gives the Elantra a lot more athleticism than the subdued exterior suggests.

Technology

The base 2019 Elantra comes with a 5-inch display infotainment system, a six-speaker sound system, Bluetooth, USB port and an auxiliary input. All other trim levels receive a 7-inch touchscreen display infotainment system that adds satellite radio and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. An 8-inch system with navigation is optional in Limited trim and Sport models. 

Hyundai also offers an eight-speaker Infinity premium audio system, BlueLink connected service and a wireless charging pad.

As far as safety features, the base SE model includes a rearview camera with guidelines and a driver’s blind-spot mirror. Moving up to the next-level SEL model or above adds a long list of standard active safety technology. The list includes forward collision warning, driver attention warning, blind spot detection, lane-keeping assist and rear cross-traffic collision warning.

Other optional safety equipment includes forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection and smart cruise control.

Value

The 2019 Elantra starts at $17,100, plus an $885 destination fee. Adding an automatic transmission will cost $1,000. Moving to the Elantra SEL model adds the 7-inch infotainment system and a long list of features, including a suite of active safety technology. You’ll pay $19,400, plus freight. Our Sport model review vehicle, with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission, costs $22,400, plus destination. Opt for the top-trim Limited and add the $3,350 Ultimate package, and it’ll cost you $26,050, plus destination. 

The Elantra represents strong value, especially in the popular SEL trim. Across the line, the 2019 Elantra pricing is in line with comparably equipped models of the Mazda3, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

Overall

A stylish new look, strong performance and excellent value help the 2019 Hyundai Elantra stand out in the crowded compact car segment. The new look is refined, even sophisticated, which is no easy task considering the affordable pricing. Families will find the SEL to provide the modern features most look for in a new vehicle. Driving enthusiasts will appreciate the performance of the Sport model, especially when it’s equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.