Despite the crossover madness in recent years, the sedan niche is still one of the most popular and competitive segments when it comes to choosing your next daily driver. This is why the Hyundai Elantra is already in its seventh generation. Over the past decade, the Korean brand has been on a crusade to steal as many clients as possible from the likes of Toyota and Honda – brands that dominate the compact sedan segment with the Corolla and Civic models.
2021 Hyundai Elantra
- Make: Array
- Model: 2021 Hyundai Elantra
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior
The new 2021 Elantra is the second model that features Hyundai’s new Sensuous Sportiness design. Just like the Azera, the front accommodates a large jewel-pattern grille that seamlessly merges with the headlights while accommodating the turn signals.
The overall length has been increased by 2.2 inches (56 mm) while the wheelbase is 0.8 inches (20.3 mm). The car is also 0.8 inches (20.3 mm) lower and 1.0 inch (25.4 mm) wider.
2021 vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra - exterior dimensions
|
Overall Length |
181.9 |
184.1 |
+2.2” |
|
Overall Width |
70.9 |
71.9 |
+1.0” |
|
Overall Height |
56.5 |
55.7 |
-0.8’’ |
|
Wheelbase |
106.3 |
107.1 |
+0.8” |
The car is styled to look almost like a sporty four-door coupe. Despite that, the Elantra retains its sedan characteristics, including the trunk lid which does not open like a hatch. The Sensuous Sportiness is defined through the parametric dynamics design. Similarly to the front, the side-profile integrates jewel-inspired lines that branch out towards the different sections of the car.
The rear is nicely-rounded and sloped for that sporty, yet elegant four-door coupe look. It incorporates the “H-tail Lamp”. A line stretches the entire width of the car, connecting to the thin taillights at the edges of the car. Together, they form a sort of a flying Hyundai logo.
Interior
Through clever integration, they almost look like a single big screen, which creates a very clean interior look. In addition to offering a segment-first wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the eight-inch audio user interface allows you to leave your smartphone in your pocket.
The infotainment system is among the most responsive and easiest to use in the segment. Moreover, it uses the entire 10.25-inch display. Dual Bluetooth support is available, which means two devices can be paired at the same time. The new steering wheel features logical audio and Bluetooth controls while retaining an elegant, clean look. You can switch between the different drive modes with the push of a button, located near the gear selector. Although shift paddles are not available, you can still switch gears manually with the shifter on the lower center console.
Through voice commands, you can control various systems in the car, such as the heated steering wheel, climate control, heated seats, rear window defroster, fan speed, etc.
The infotainment screen is angled slightly towards the driver and is highly-customizable. At the same time, the car provides excellent space.
Despite its lower and sleeker roofline, the new 2021 Elantra actually has better headroom. Even if you’re someone who is 6 foot 2 inches tall will find that room for your feet and head is adequate. That said, other than two air vents, you don’t get anything else in the second row. This means no USB ports or 12V sockets, at least for now.
2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra interior dimensions
|
Front Legroom |
42.2 |
42.3 |
0.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rear Legroom |
35.7 |
38.0 |
2.3 |
|
Front headroom |
40.3 (38.5) |
40.6 (38.7) |
0.3 (0.2) |
|
Rear legroom |
37.3 |
37.3 |
- |
|
Front Shoulder room |
56.2 |
56.3 |
0.3 |
|
Rear Shoulder room |
55.3 |
55.6 |
0.3 |
For 2021, The Elantra offers a wide range of SmartSense Safety features as standard. These include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA); Lane Keeping Assist (LKA); Lane Following Assist (LFA); High Beam Assist (HBA), which prevents you from blinding oncoming traffic and Driver Awareness Warning (DAW) which detects signs of driver fatigue.
Optional SmartSense features include Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist (RCCA); Smart Cruise Control (SCC); Highway Driving Assist (HAD) – works together with LFA and SCC – Safe Exit Warning (SEW) – warns you if a car is approaching and it is not safe to exit the vehicle – Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance (PCA) – detects obstacles and applies emergency braking, if necessary, to avoid a collision while parking.
Drivetrain
With the seventh generation, the Hyundai Elantra can also be had as a hybrid. The 1.6-liter, four-cylinder GDI engine is aided by a 32 kW electric motor, powered by a 1.32-kWh lithium-ion-polymer battery, located under the rear seats.
In the Elantra Hybrid, power is sent to the ground via Hyundai’s quick-shifting 6-speed dual-clutch automatic. In the hybrid version, Hyundai also promises an EPA of over 50 mpg (4.7 l / 100 km) combined.
The non-hybrid versions make use of a 2.0-liter MPI (Multi-Port injection), Atkinson cycle engine, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet (179 Nm) of torque. It works with either a 6-speed manual or Hyundai’s IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmission) gearbox, which is focused on fuel economy rather than performance.
2021 Hyundai Elantra specifications
|
Type |
Nu 2.0 MPI Atkinson 4-cylinder, DOHC Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) |
|---|---|
|
Materials |
Aluminum block and head |
|
Bore & stroke (mm) |
81 X 97 |
|
Compression ratio |
12.5:1 |
|
Displacement |
2.0 liters / 1,999 cc |
|
Horsepower |
147 @ 6,200 rpm |
|
Torque (lb-ft) |
132 @ 4,500 rpm |
Price
Prices for the new 2021 Hyundai Elantra are not yet official, but it is believed they would start at around $20,000 for the base version, and go up to around $30,000 for a fully-loaded version. Price-wise, this puts the Korean sedan right in the middle of the segment.
Competition
Toyota Corolla
A car that doesn’t need an introduction, the Corolla has long been a strong contender, in both sedan and hatchback form. It is also one of the first in the segment to adopt a hybrid powertrain. That said, it’s down on power compared to the Elantra. Although the Corolla has a bigger 1.8-liter, four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine together with an electric motor, it only makes 122 horsepower and 105 pound-feet (147 Nm) of torque. The Corolla’s hybrid powertrain is mated to an Aisin CVT gearbox.
In terms of fuel consumption, the Corolla does have a slight advantage, averaging 52.3 mpg (4.5 l / 100 km) combined. However, the Elantra is significantly more generous in terms of interior space. More noticeably in terms of headroom, where the Elantra has 40.3 inches (1,024 mm) vs the Corolla’s 39.2 inches (996 mm). In terms of legroom, the Elantra wins again. It offers 42.3 inches (1,074 mm) vs 40.0 inches (1,016 mm) in the front, and 38.0 inches (965. mm) vs 34.9 inches (886.5 mm) in the rear.
Even if you’re a broad-shouldered Viking like me, fear not. The Elantra, once again, offers generous space. In the front, you get 56.5 inches (1,435 mm) vs 55.0 inches (1,397 mm) for the Corolla, and in the rear, 55.6 inches (1,412 mm) vs 54.5 (1,384 mm) for the Corolla.
Price-wise the Corolla starts from $19,600 and can go up to around $27,000. Considering the expected prices for the 2021 Elantra, they will be nearly identical in terms of pricing.
Read our full review on the Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is another big name in the segment. The sedan version of the Civic returns to Europe after two generations of absence and makes a strong case for itself, primarily with good interior space and stout engines. If we talk about non-hybrid versions, the Civic offers better bang for the buck, and that’s without mentioning the Type-R version. However, the current Civic does not offer a hybrid drivetrain. Currently, you can have a 1.8-liter normally-aspirated four-cylinder with 139 horsepower and 128 pound-feet (174 Nm) of torque, or a 1.5-liter Turbocharged four-cylinder with 170 horsepower and 162 pound-feet (220 Nm) of torque. Power goes through either a 6-speed manual or a CVT gearbox.
In terms of interior space, the Civic surpasses the Elantra in some aspects but falls short in others. With regards to legroom, the Civic offers 42.4 inches (1,077 mm) in the front and 37.0 inches (940 mm) in the rear. The headroom is 40.4 inches (1,026 mm), or 0.2 less than the Elantra and shoulder room – 56.9 inches (1,445 mm) front and 55.0 inches (1,397 mm) rear.
Price-wise, the Civic starts from $22,390, but a fully-loaded one can cost you over $33,000. This makes the Civic one of the slightly more expensive propositions in the segment.
Read our full review on the Honda Civic
Conclusion
About a decade ago, Hyundai went on a crusade to bury the “budget car” image. A tall order indeed, but the Korean brand managed to do, in the last 10 years, the same thing that Toyota and Honda did about 30 years ago. It took one of the biggest and most important markets by storm and managed to establish itself as an equal to the Japanese brands, instead of simpler a more affordable alternative to them.
The new Elantra is a well-thought-out automobile – spacious, futuristic, and intelligent. Hyundai proves that you can still make a complete package while keeping the price affordable. Moreover, it beat some of its main competitors to the Hybrid scene which is sure to give it some bonus points among the more eco-friendly spectrum of the audience.