History/Overview
For 2021, the Hyundai Elantra compact sedan gets a new look as it moves into its seventh generation. Look quickly and you might mistake it for the larger Sonata family car Hyundai rolled out last year.
Available Trims
Hyundai offers the Elantra in Essential, Preferred and Ultimate trim levels. All share a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that, in most configurations, powers the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The exception is Essential trim, which starts with a six-speed manual gearbox that can be optioned to the CVT.
Standard Features
On the outside, the Elantra Essential comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, auto on/off headlights, keyless entry, LED daytime running lights, and heated/power-adjustable side mirrors.
In the cabin, you’ll find power windows and locks, cloth seats, heated front seats with manual adjustments, a four-speaker stereo with an 8.0-inch touchscreen, air conditioning, tilt-and-telescopic steering, a 4.2-inch gauge cluster display, and map lights.
Preferred trim adds 16-inch wheels, door pocket lighting, cruise control, passive keyless entry, upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-speaker stereo, a leather-trimmed shift lever, heated/leather-trimmed steering wheel, forward collision detection with automatic braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, driver attention warning, lane following assist, blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert, and safe exit warning.
Finally, Ultimate models gain 17-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, satin chrome exterior trim, a sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control, leather upholstery, heated rear seats, an eight-speaker stereo, dual-zone automatic A/C, advanced forward collision avoidance, and adaptive cruise with stop-and-go.
Key Options
Elantra Ultimate can be optioned with a tech package that adds a 10.25-inch touchscreen, a digital gauge cluster, upgraded LED headlights, a power driver’s seat, rear parking sensors with collision avoidance assist, highway driving assist, interior ambient lighting, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Preferred trim can be kitted out with a sun and tech group that brings a sunroof, dual-zone A/C, connected vehicle features, and an upgraded stereo.
Fuel Economy
Hyundai’s fuel consumption estimates for the Elantra are 9.1/6.3 L/100 km (city/highway) with the manual transmission, and 7.1/5.5 with the CVT.
Competition
The compact sedan segment is smaller than it used to be, but Hyundai’s new design still faces notable competition from the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Mazda3, along with the Kia Forte, Nissan’s Sentra, and the VW Jetta.
