2018 Hyundai Elantra

The Elantra is also available in an aptly named “Value Edition” trim that gets premium features like a sunroof, heated seats, keyless entry and ignition, and 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system for a reasonable price. Above all, the Hyundai differentiates Elantra from the competitors by offering 10 Years/100,000 Miles Powertrain Warranty.

The Elantra however lacks the feedback from steering which makes the driving experience a bit numb. Also, the interior features some economy grade hard plastic. To be fair, these are acceptable compromise for a car that has a starting price of $16,950 and costs less than $20,000s for a decently equipped trim.

The Elantra starts at $16,950 for the base SE trim. For the money, you get a naturally aspirated 2.0 L engine mated to a six speed manual and basic comfort features like air-conditioning and power windows. For just about $1000 dollar more, you can have a smooth 6-Speed Automatic that improves fuel efficiency too.

The SEL can be yours at $18,850 offering 6-Speed Automatic as standard along with a host of gizmo. An aptly named Value Edition is basically the Tech Package from 2017 along with the above extra features. Environment and wallet conscious can get the Eco trim with a highly efficient 128 hp 1.4 L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder Engine, a lightning fast 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic and low resistance tires for $20,550.

Trim (MSRP)	Engines	Transmission	Key Features	MPG (City/Highway/Combined)
SE ($16,950)	147 hp 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Engine	6-Speed Manual (6-Speed Automatic optional)	AM/FM/MP3 Audio System With 6 Speakers, Smartphone/USB And Auxiliary Input Jacks	26/36/29
SEL ($18,850)	147 hp 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Engine	6-Speed Automatic	7.0-Inch Infotainment Display With Apple Carplay And Android Auto Capabilities	28/37/32
Value Edition ($19,850)	147 hp 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Engine	6-Speed Automatic	Power Sunroof, Lane-Change Assist, Motion-Activated Trunk Release	28/37/32
Eco ($20,550)	128 hp 1.4 L Turbocharged GDI 4 Cylinder Engine	7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic	Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel, Heated Front Seats	32/40/35
Sport ($21,800)	201 hp 1.6 L Turbocharged GDI 4 Cylinder Engine	6-Speed Manual   (7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic optional)	Flat-Bottom Leather-Wrapped Sport Steering Wheel And Shift Knob	22/30/25
Limited ($22,100)	147 hp 2.0 L 4 Cylinder Engine	6-Speed Automatic	Automated Emergency Braking, Lane-Departure Warning	28/37/32

“The 2018 Hyundai Elantra has athletic intentions—they just fall closer to marathoner than sprinter.” – Carconnection

Engines

The Elantra in base SE trim and the SEL trim has a naturally aspirated 2.0 L 4 cylinder engine developing 147 hp @ 6200 rpm and 132 ponds feet of torque at 4500 rpm. This engine is refined and offers sufficient grunt for everyday tasks.

Model	Hyundai Elantra SE	Honda Civic LX	Toyota Corolla L	Mazda 3 Sport Manual
MSRP	$16,950	$18,840	$18,550	$18,095
Engine	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated	2.0 L 4 Cylinder Naturally Aspirated
Torque	132 lb-ft @  4500 rpm	138 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm	128 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm	150 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Power	147 bhp @ 6400 rpm	158 bhp @ 6500	132 bhp @ 6000 rpm	155 bhp @ 6000 rpm
Transmission	6 Speed Manual	6 Speed Manual	CVT	6 Speed Manual
Drivetrain	Front wheel Drive	Front wheel Drive	Front wheel Drive	Front wheel Drive

The Eco trim gets a smaller turbocharged 1.4 L engine. This means it develops just 128 hp @ 5500 RPM. This however, does not compromise real world driving performance – thanks to higher 156 pounds feet of torque starting as low as 1400 rpm. In fact it feels rather peppy to drive around in city. The Elantra has the 1.6 L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine in “Sport” trim for those looking for more power.

Acceleration

With the 147 hp 1.4L Turbocharged Inline-4, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra does 0 to 60 mph 7.8 seconds. That’s second only to the Honda Civic. Those looking for more can get the Sport trim with 201 hp 1.6 L turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. It’s capable of hitting 60 mph from rest in 6.3 seconds.

Car	Acceleration (0-60)	Quarter Mile Time
Hyundai Elantra (147 hp, 1.4 L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder)	7.8	16.2
Mazda 3 (155 hp, 2.0 L 4 Cylinder)	7.9	16.2
Chevrolet Cruze (143 hp, 1.4 L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder)	7.6	15.9
Honda Civic (158 hp, 2.0 L 4 Cylinder)	8.3	16.5
Volkswagen Jetta (150 hp, 1.4 L Turbocharged 4 Cylinder)	8.4	16.3
Toyota Corolla (132 hp, 1.8 L 4 Cylinder)	9.5	17.4

Transmission

The base SE Elantra is offered with a 6 speed manual as standard. However, the manual transmission does little to increasing the driving pleasure and we recommend you to go for the accomplished and smooth 6 speed automatic at just $1000 extra. The automatic is standard on SEL and higher trim.

The Eco trim gets a lightning quick 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission tuned for extracting maximum fuel economy. The Sport trim has the 6 speed manual as standard and the 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic is available in as option.

Ride and Handling

The Elantra has a firm suspension setup which gives a planted feel at high speeds. The suspension is not harsh either and the car keeps the occupant pampered without transferring any reverberations to the car structure. The Elantra has a well-controlled, solid and comfortable ride and the Elantra`s suspension matches the benchmark Civic when it comes to comfort and poise.

The Steering accuracy is good and you can place the car exactly where you want even at high speed. At low speed, the steering lightens up and maneuvering tight parking spaces becomes a breeze. Hyundai has fine-tuned the suspension and steering for effortless everyday usability.

The steering however, is devoid of any feedback and that makes the driving experience a bit numb – far behind the Civic and the Mazda. The Eco, Normal and Sport mode only weighs the steering wheel and does not alter steering feel. The Eco Trim has low rolling resistance tires and they further reduce the cornering ability.

Braking

The Base SE trim and the Eco trim gets drum brakes at the rear. All other trims have disc brakes on all four wheels. The Elantra has linear brake pedal feel and it has one of the shortest 70-0 braking distance – 168 feet. All this feels reassuring for emergency braking conditions. However, apart from compromising handling ability, the low resistance tires on Eco trim increases braking distance too.

The braking feel is one of the few areas in which the Elantra trumps our favorite Honda Civic. The brakes are also very resistant to fade after repeated stopping unlike the Civic.

Car	70 mph to 0
Hyundai Elantra	168 feet
Chevrolet Cruze	168 feet
Honda Civic	180 feet
Volkswagen Jetta	185 feet
Toyota Corolla	183 feet

The Elantra has impressive fuel economy among its competitors. However, the Elantra is still behind the segment leader – the Civic in EPA fuel economy rating. In our real world fuel efficiency comparison though, the Elantra performed better than the civic.

The base 2.0 L naturally aspirated 4 cylinder engine delivers 26 mpg in city and 36 on highway for a combined EPA rating of 29 mpg when mated to 6-Speed Manual. Mating the 2.0 L engine with 6-Speed Automatic improves efficiency marginally – 28 mpg in city and 37 mpg on highway for a combined EPA rating of 32 mpg.

The Eco trim has a small 1.4 L turbocharged engine, a 7-Speed Dual Clutch Automatic tuned for efficiency and low rolling tires. All these efforts bear fruit in the form of 32 mpg mileage in city and 40 mpg on highway for combined rating of 35 mpg.

Model	Hyundai Elantra Limited	Honda Civic Sedan	Volkswagen Jetta SE TSi	Mazda 3 Sedan
MPG (city/hwy/combined)	28/37/32	31/40/34	28/38/32	28/37/32

“The Elantra’s interior is definitely a top selling point. It’s well built, attractive and spacious. In addition, the controls are logically placed, and getting in and out is a breeze.” – Edmunds

The Elantra uses good quality materials in general and they are well put together with good fit and finish. The noise insulation is superb even on highway speeds. The ride is cushioned and the car is great for everyday commuting and highway drives. However, low grade hard plastic are present on door panels, top of dashboard and center console. The Elantra can`t match the “feel good” factor of the Mazda 3.

On the ergonomics front, the Elantra has thoughtfully laid out switches and all the controls are within easy reach of the occupants. The driving position is natural with great synchronization between seat, steering wheel and the foot pedals.

The Elantra also has best in segment outside visibility with minimum blind spots, thanks to the unobtrusive pillars and conservatively raked rear glass. The rear view in Elantra is considerably better than the segment favorite – Honda Civic.

Seating and Comfort

The Elantra is one of the most spacious front seat among its chief rival, behind the class leading Corolla and the Civic. The rear seats are comparatively claustrophobic. However, the seats offer good support and are comfortable to retreat in for a long drive.

The Elantra has spacious glovebox and center console but falls short of the competition when it comes to space in the door pockets. The rear seats fold in 60/40 splits, providing a versatile and practical space for your weekend or your daily commute. For those in need of even more practicality, we recommend Elantra GT.

Car	Front Seat Passenger Space(Headroom/Legroom)	Rear Seat Passenger Space (Headroom/Legroom)
Toyota Corolla	(38.3/42.3)	(37.1/41.4)
Honda Civic	(37.5/42.3)	(36.8/37.4)
Hyundai Elantra	(38.8/42.2)	(37.3/35.7)
Chevrolet Cruze	(38.9/42.0)	(37.3/36.1)
Volkswagen Jetta	(38.2/41.2)	(37.1/38.1)

Cargo Capacity

The trunk, although not the most spacious, has a large opening making it more usable. The Volkswagen Jetta has the largest trunk at 16 cubic feet compared to Elantra`s 14 cubic feet. Following table elucidates the trunk volume of all the competitors.

Car	Trunk Volume (Cubic Feet)
Volkswagen Jetta	16
Honda Civic	15
Chevrolet Cruze	15
Hyundai Elantra	14
Toyota Corolla	13

Infotainment System

The primary USP of the Hyundai Elantra is availability of full suite of infotainment features that you only expect in cars priced considerably higher. The base SE trim does not raise eyebrows but upgrade to even the SEL for just $1000 more at $18,850 and you get features like:

• 7-Inch Touchscreen (But No CD Player)
• Rearview Camera
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Smartphone Integration With Android Auto and Apple Carplay

An important note is that the best seller Toyota Corolla does not offer the must have Android Auto and Apple Carplay. The lowest trim of Civic offering Android Auto and Apple Carplay is the EX trim at $21,240. So, the Elantra should be first on your list if you are low on budget but can’t live without Android Auto and Apple Carplay.

 

The Sport trim also comes with Premium Package for $2,250 that adds

• Navigation system with 8-inch touchscreen
• Infinity Premium Audio with 8-speakers including center channel and subwoofer
• Clari-Fi Music Restoration Technology
• Blue Link Telematics System
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink and compass

 

“Hyundai’s emphasis on design is just as important as its fantastic warranty. The Elantra looks more sophisticated than its price tag suggests. It’s not gaudy, either, though we admit the large hexagonal grille is borderline gaping.” – Kelley Blue Book

The Elantra follows the typical Hyundai fluidic design with sweeping lines and attractive proportions. The roof flows into the trunk almost like a Coupe and high tail lights look rather sporty. The Elantra is smaller among its competitors making it easier to potter about in the town. Overall, it’s an attractive car to look at in the drive way every day when you wake up.

The base SE and the economy oriented Eco trim look rather dull due to small wheels and lack of exterior garnishing. The Limited trim however looks more expensive than its price suggests with large wheels, chrome trimmings and LED accent lights.

Vehicle	Length	Width	Height
Hyundai Elantra	179.9	70.9	56.5
Honda Civic	182.3	70.8	55.7
Toyota Corolla	183.1	69.9	57.3
Volkswagen Jetta	183.3	70.0	57.2
Chevrolet Cruze	183.7	70.5	57.4

The Elantra gets a full array of active and passive safety features. However, some active safety features like automated emergency braking and lane departure warning is only available in top spec Limited trim fitted with Ultimate Package. You have to spend almost $27,000 for this and Honda Civic is a better choice at this price range with its great interior and high resale value.

The base SE trim lacks any noticeable safety feature. The SEL trim however offers great value and gets active safety features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-change assist and this is the lowest trim you should get if you can.

The Elantra comes with the unbelievable 10 years/100,000 miles powertrain warranty as standard – a definite USP. You also get the following as standard:

• 5 years/60,000 miles new vehicle limited warranty
• 7 years/unlimited miles anti perforation warranty
• 5 years/unlimited miles 25 hour roadside assistance

However, the Elantra will depreciate a bit faster than the Corolla and Civic. Other than these two, the Elantra holds value equally or better than the other competitors.

The Elantra also receives a host of passive safety features. NHTSA has given the Elantra a 4 star overall crash worthiness rating and the Elantra features in IIHS Top Safety Pick+ list. All this makes Elantra a car that does not compromise on your safety.

IIHS Safety Rating
Small Overlap	G
Moderate Overlap	G
Side Impact	G
Roof Strength	G
Head Restraint And Seats	G

Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is the star of the segment and the Elantra, although comparable to the Civic in many fronts, falls short of the benchmark with numb steering and an interior with some cheap feeling hard plastic. However, if you like driving sedately and value low cost of ownership and fuel efficiency above everything else, the Elantra makes a decent alternative.

Hyundai Elantra vs. Toyota Corolla

The Corolla is the best seller for ages and has tremendous resale value. It offers safety features that are unheard of in the compact sedan segment. This is the car to go for if you find tech features a bit of a gimmick and value old school reliability and safety in your car. However, if Android Auto and Apple Carplay are your type of thing (which is offered by Elantra even in SEL trim at $18,850), Elantra is a definite winner.

Hyundai Elantra vs. Mazda 3

Mazda 3 is a driving enthusiasts dream. The telepathic handling, spot on driving position and interiors that are well built with great quality trim, it’s a perfect cockpit to strap in. Now, it also rides well and is genuinely practical. Get Mazda 3 if all this appeals you, else Elantra is a more frugal choice.

The Elantra is a genuinely comfortable, well built and spacious compact sedan loaded with features that will put much more expensive cars to shame. On top of that, you get an exceptional warranty including an unheard 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty.

However, there are caveats. Although the Elantra has a precise steering, it lacks steering feel and it just can’t match the Mazda 3 when it comes to driving fun. Moreover, the Honda Civic is a slightly better product but with much higher resale value. So, unless you are really adamant about your budget, its worth checking out the alternatives.