2021 Hyundai Elantra Review

　　

2021 Hyundai Elantra Review

byRyan ZumMallenContributor

　　Ryan ZumMallen has worked in the automotive industry since 2012. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Ryan has also contributed to Road & Track, Autoweek, Trucks.com and more. In 2019, Ryan published his first book, Slow Car Fast, on the millennial generation and its unique take on modern car culture.

　　The Hyundai Elantra has been fully redesigned for the 2021 model year. As has been the case for a while now, it comes with plenty of features at a competitive price. Add in Hyundai's fantastic warranty and you've got a pretty compelling car, at least from a sensible car-buying standpoint. But Hyundai, much like it did with its recent Sonata, has upped the Elantra's emotional appeal as well.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$101/mo  for Elantra SE

　　Elantra SE

　　SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $19,650 MSRPSEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $20,900 MSRPBlue 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $23,550 MSRPN Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $24,100 MSRPN Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $25,200 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $25,450 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6AM) - $28,100 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　On the outside, the 2021 Elantra is slightly longer and wider than before and has a sleeker roofline. Arrow-like styling lines along its sides add some character, too. Inside, there's more rear legroom and a new instrument panel design with available twin digital display screens. Set side by side, the screens impart a distinct European luxury sedan vibe.

　　Hyundai's got some sport sedan mojo going on for 2021, too. A new Elantra N debuts as the most powerful Elantra ever. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that puts out 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. This motor, along with a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, makes the N an absolute blast to drive on curvy back roads.

　　The N's adjustable drive modes make real differences in the car's character. Eco/Normal mode is the bottom floor and Sport mode is just one simple step up. N mode seems like two or three extra levels — it's that much of a leap. This is when all the extreme ear-to-ear grinning starts. Here is when you get all the exhaust pops and burbles, a super-quick throttle response and a sharper steering feel. This is also when the suspension gets into a "Oh, hey, I feel almost every bump and road rut like a moon crater" mode.

　　If the N is too over-the-top, there's also the more affordable Elantra N Line that comes with a turbocharged 201-hp engine. Or if fuel economy is what you're looking for, there's also an all-new hybrid version of the Elantra. Hyundai says it will get around 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

　　Overall, we're impressed with the new Elantra. If you are, too, check out our Expert Rating to read our in-depth analysis of the ups and downs of this latest Elantra.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.7

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Elantra drive? The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is lacking when it comes to speed. At zzdcar' test track, our Elantra reached 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, which is slower than average compared to rivals. It's not terrible, but passing or getting up to highway speeds can be laborious.

　　What power it does have is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission that Hyundai tunes for optimal fuel economy, so it too is not very impressive for spirited driving. But in typical situations, the transmission delivers a smooth experience, and there's only a little of the notorious droning noise that CVTs are known for.

　　Elsewhere, the Elantra is pretty middle-of-the-road. It handles corners decently well for a small sedan, behaving predictably, and it's not easily upset over bumps. But for a sporty drive, you'll want to get the N Line, which comes with a sport-tuned suspension.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Elantra? The Elantra delivers a smooth ride. There's enough plushness to soak up bumps in the road well, but it also settles relatively quickly. The seats are also comfortable for the most part. The driver's seat bottom feels just a touch flat, and it might not provide enough support on road trips more than a few hours long. There isn't much in the way of side bolstering to keep you set when cornering either.

　　The climate controls are easy to use, with big dials to command the available dual-zone climate control. The heated seats, when equipped, activate quickly. There is noticeable wind noise as you increase speed, but that is typical for the class, and passengers can more or less carry on conversations at normal volume.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Elantra cabin is well thought-out, with plenty of space and good outward visibility in the front row. We're also pleased to see the back seat gained 2 inches of legroom over the previous generation, allowing for quite generous accommodations for taller passengers. Their heads might still graze the ceiling, but the Elantra is among the most spacious in this class.

　　Our Elantra Limited test vehicle came with a power-adjustable driver's seat. It has a wide adjustment range, so it should suit short and tall drivers alike. The steering wheel also has a generous amount of adjustment, making it simple to find your ideal driving position.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? The Limited's twin display screens, one for the gauges and one for the infotainment, are pleasing to use. The infotainment screen has easy-to-follow menus and quick and clear directions. The Elantra also scores extra points for including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though they only come with the standard 8-inch infotainment screen. Confusingly, the larger 10.25-inch screen requires a cord to run either smartphone integration system.

　　Another bright spot is the Elantra Limited's improved voice activation system that responds accurately to web searches, addresses and even climate control commands. The available full suite of advanced driving aids is one of the best modern systems, with smooth adaptive cruise control and lane centering. We experienced no false warnings during our testing.

　　

Storage

7.5/10

　　How’s the storage? Trunk space is slightly above average for the class, at 14.2 cubic feet, which is the same size as in the previous-generation Elantra. The rear seats fold flat with remote release latches in the trunk — some may find them more convenient than the releases on the seats themselves. Cupholders and storage cubbies for front passengers are nothing out of the ordinary. A wireless smartphone charging pad on the Limited trim is a nice touch.

　　In the back, there are two anchors on each rear outboard seat to fasten child safety seats into place. The anchors are easy to find between the cushions. The spacious back seat means you should be able to load rear-facing seats without having to scrunch into your driving position.

　　

Fuel Economy

9.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? Depending on the model, the Elantra with the 2.0-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 35-37 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Either way you're looking at excellent fuel economy. We easily verified the EPA's estimate and even exceeded it on our mixed-driving 115-mile test route, achieving an impressive 41.8 mpg.

　　

Value

9.0/10

　　Is the Elantra a good value? Now you've entered the Elantra's sweet spot. It simply runs away from the competition with five years/60,000 miles of limited warranty coverage, 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain, and free maintenance for three years/36,000 miles. We also find the pricing attractive, especially considering the long list of features that comes standard on every model. Our only complaints: the amount of hard plastic in the cabin and a back seat nearly barren of any design.

　　

Wildcard

6.5/10

　　The Elantra has some "wow" factor with its effusive exterior styling, large bright screens and excellent voice controls. But it makes no claim to driving excitement and it's easy to see why. Hyundai made an excellent all-arounder, not a passion purchase. That's what the N Line version is for.

　　

Which Elantra does zzdcar recommend?

For the regular Elantra, go with the SEL trim. The base SE is already well equipped with an abundance of driver assistance features plus both wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto. But the SEL doesn't cost much more and gets you a few more desirable extras (keyless entry, for example) plus the option to add even more features from option packages.

　　

2021 Hyundai Elantra models

The 2021 Elantra is a four-door small sedan available with four engine options. The first, and the one most Elantras will come with, is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque) connected to a continuously variable transmission, or CVT automatic. The Elantra is front-wheel-drive only.

　　Next up is the Elantra N Line. It has a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (201 hp, 195 lb-ft of torque) paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

　　The new Elantra Hybrid has a hybrid powertrain with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine (139 hp total system output) and a six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai says it should get more than 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

　　Finally, the line-topping Elantra N boasts a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (276 hp, 289 lb-ft of torque) paired to either a six-speed manual transmission or a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

　　Got all that? Now, for the regular Elantra, there are three main trim levels available: SE, SEL and Limited. The Elantra Hybrid only comes in SEL and Limited. (Note that the listed SEL and Limited features below are fully applicable to the regular Elantra only; expect a few minor variations for the Elantra Hybrid SEL and Limited.)

　　SE

　　This base trim starts things off with these standard features:

　　LED daytime running lights Chrome front grille 15-inch alloy wheels Height-adjustable driver's seat 8-inch touchscreen Wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto smartphone integration (can activate these systems without connecting your phone with a USB cord) Dual USB ports Four-speaker audio systemStandard safety equipment on all Elantras includes:

　　Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Blind-spot collision-avoidance assist (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane is in your blind spot and may apply the brakes to avoid or minimize a collision) Rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot while reversing and applies the brakes automatically to avoid or minimize a collision) Lane keeping assist (steers the Elantra back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker) Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)SEL

　　The midlevel model also includes:

　　16-inch alloy wheels Keyless entry and push-button start Dual-zone automatic climate control Satellite radio Six-speaker audio systemOptional on the SEL are:

　　Convenience package Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the Elantra and the car in front) Enhanced forward collision mitigation system Leather-wrapped steering wheel Heated front seats Wireless smartphone charging pad Full 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster display Premium package Dark chrome front grille LED headlights and taillights 17-inch alloy wheels Sunroof Eight-speaker Bose premium audio system Power-adjustable driver's seat Hyundai Digital Key (can use select smartphones as a key to the vehicle) Limited

　　This top-of-the-line trim comes loaded with all of the above plus:

　　Leather-trimmed seats 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (non-wireless) Enhanced voice recognition system Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle) Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered) N Line

　　This sporty Elantra is equipped similarly as the SEL but has specific features such as:

　　18-inch alloy wheels with available performance tires Sport-tuned springs and shock absorbers and a more sophisticated rear suspension design for better handling Special exterior styling details Combination leather and cloth seatsElantra N

　　The range-topping high-performance N is a steroid-induced version of the N Line and has:

　　19-inch alloy wheels with available high-performance summer tires Bigger brakes The more sophisticated rear suspension design from the N Line, plus adaptive dampers Unique exterior fascia Elantra N-specific steering wheel Sport front seats with additional bolstering

　　

2021 Elantra Highlights

Type: SedanHybridSedan

　　Trim: SESELBlueN LineLimitedSE

　　

Base MSRP	$19,650
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	37 MPG
Cost to Drive	$101/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles