2021 Hyundai Elantra

Overview

Hyundai is becoming increasingly known for daring designs, and the company's compact sedan, the 2021 Elantra, is the latest to receive a bold new look. The new Elantra sports angular exterior details and an upscale cabin, both of which are intended to pull focus away from the segment's heavy hitters—namely the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Sentra. The standard powertrain is a 147-hp four-cylinder but Hyundai also offers a 201-hp turbocharged N Line model and an available hybrid powertrain. A host of driver-assistance features are standard, with even more advanced tech offered as options. We're so impressed with the new 2021 Elantra that we put it on our Editors' Choice list.

What's New for 2021?

Hyundai went for a clean-sheet redesign of the Elantra for 2021, complete with modern exterior and interior styling and more advanced technology features. The Elantra is offered as a hybrid for the first time and it earned an EPA rating as high as 56 mpg highway. A performance N Line variant is also be part of the 2021 Elantra lineup and goes toe-to-toe with the Honda Civic Si sedan and the Volkswagen Jetta GLI.

Pricing and Which One to Buy

The mid-range SEL model offers the best balance of price and features. We'd opt for the available SEL Convenience package, which adds a 10.3-inch digital gauge display, adaptive cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and heated front seats.

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The standard nonhybrid powertrain is a carryover from the previous generation. These Elantras will be powered by a 147-hp four-cylinder engine. Front-wheel drive is the only option here, as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The hybrid model uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor to make 139 horsepower. Gearchanges are handled by a six-speed automatic. Neither of these options offer thrilling acceleration, but in our test drive of a nonhybrid model we noted good ride quality and enough pep for normal city and highway driving. The Elantra we're most excited about is the performance-oriented N Line model, which is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and mated to either a six-speed manual or a a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. 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 on a too-stiff ride.

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Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The EPA estimates the 2021 Elantra with the 2.0-liter four-cylinder will earn up to 33 mpg in the city and 43 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. For more information about the Elantra's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

Like its dramatically restyled exterior, the cabin of the Elantra receives a bold update for 2021. 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 expected to grow slightly in the 2021 model, particularly in the rear seat, to help the Elantra compete with roomier rivals such as the Sentra and the Volkswagen Jetta. In our testing, the Elantra fit six carry-on suitcases inside its trunk.

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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 uttering specific phrases.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

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 2021 Elantra comes standard with Hyundai's legendary 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The only competitor that can match the new 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

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs