2022 Hyundai Elantra

Like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, the Hyundai Elantra evolved from a bargain-basement beater car to a highly desirable compact sedan. While it still scores high in the value stakes, the Elantra now offers world-class active-safety and tech features, multiple powertrains including frugal hybrids and powerful performance choices and the kind of interior room once associated with midsize cars. It wraps it all in a sharp, distinctive suit.

The Elantra was completely redesigned last year, growing 2.2 inches longer, 1 inch wider and losing its hatchback option (the Venue and Kona SUVs help fill the void). In one single leap, it went from an also ran to one of the nicest cars in the compact class, and it vies closely with the new-in-2019 Mazda3 and this year’s redesigned Honda Civic for best in class in many areas. Other rivals include the Kia Forte, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta.

Under the hood, the biggest news last year was the Elantra Hybrid, available in two trims and returning up to 54 mpg combined, one of the most efficient gas-powered cars on the market. This year, the big news is the Hyundai Elantra N, a dedicated performance sedan that follows in the footsteps of the Veloster N hatchback. With track-bred handling and up to 286 horsepower, the N is a formidable foe for cars like the VW Jetta GLI and Subaru WRX.

The Elantra’s standard 2.0-liter, 147 horsepower engine is on the pokey side by class standards but still delivers good fuel economy. The hybrids aren’t quick either, but with 50+ mpg around town, they’re easily forgiven. The N-Line ($25,395) comes with a standard manual transmission or a dual-clutch automatic, most of the N’s visuals, and a 201-horsepower Turbo, trading mileage for enjoyment at a discount.

Hyundai hasn’t lost touch with its roots, either. The base 2022 Elantra starts at $21,245 including a $1,045 destination fee, and while many desirable extras are reserved for higher trims, all Elantras come with a good number of active-safety features that cost extra on some alternatives. Only the N starts at over $30K, and the hybrid and higher trim models are full of nice features. All are backed by the automaker’s lengthy warranty.

Now as big as a 1990s midsize car, the Elantra is hugely roomy inside, and the back seat particularly comfortable. There’s plenty of space for kids or child seats, and a big trunk, too. The fastback styling is polarizing but distinctive. The Elantra’s rise to greatness parallel’s the automaker’s steady improvements in design and engineering over the past two decades, and it’s a must-drive if you’re in the market for a compact sedan.

Performance: 13/15

SE, SEL and Limited models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). All Elantras are front-wheel drive. While not slow, the 2.0 doesn’t move the Elantra with the same oomph as the Honda Civic’s base engine, and the Limited competes with Civics and Mazda3s with more power. 

The hybrid models pair a 1.6-liter four with a pair of electric motors for a combined 139 horsepower. That means zero-to-60 runs in the mid-eight-second range, but smooth and steady progress. The Elantra’s handling is neutral and poised, and while not as enthusiastic a car as the Honda or Mazda, most drivers will find it a pleasant companion with a smooth ride.

The N-line trim is quite a bit quicker thanks to its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet. By default, the N-line comes with a six-speed manual transmission, but an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT) is a $1,350 upgrade, and most dealers will stock more of those. The N-line doesn’t get the handling tweaks of the N.

The N, a genuine sports sedan, comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 276 horsepower (286 in temporary power boost mode) and 289 pound-feet of torque. As with the N-line, both the manual and DCT are offered. Sticky tires and a limited-slip differential are standard.

Fuel Economy: 15/15

The Elantra hybrid’s fuel economy is among the best in the segment, but the base model 2.0 is no slouch either. The EPA rates the extra-frugal Hybrid Blue at 53 mpg city, 56 highway and 54 combined while the standard hybrid loses 4 mpg in each measure. The SE, SEL and Limited return up to 33 mpg city, 43 highway and 37 combined, though higher-spec models, with more equipment, do a little worse. Even so, those numbers are equal to or better than Honda, Mazda or Volkswagen.

The N-line and N fare worse, but also devote more of their fuel to driving enjoyment. The automatic N-line returns 28 mpg city, 36 highway and 31 combined, with manuals losing about 3 mpg in each measure. It’s reverse on the N, where the manual earns 22 mpg city, 31 highway and 25 combined but the automatic loses 2 mpg in each measure. Both the Mazda3 Turbo and VW’s Jetta GLI and GTI do better on fuel economy, Subaru’s WRX does worse.

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 13/15

The 2022 Elantra standard safety features include forward collision detection and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot warning, lane departure warning with lane keep assist, and rear-cross traffic alerts. Unlike the Civic or Corolla, the entry-level model doesn’t have adaptive cruise control and can’t be equipped with it. It’s also missing on the N-line and N models, though optional on the SE, along with a few other enhanced features like cyclist detection. Hybrid and regular Limited models get Hyundai’s Highway Driving assist system.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Elantra a Top Safety Pick. The rating doesn’t apply to lower-end models with their simpler headlights, but all get “Good” ratings in every IIHS crash test category. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the sedan five stars overall.

Comfort & Room: 14/15

The 2022 Elantra is spacious and comfortable for four adults, but squeezing five might be a hassle for taller passengers. Front headroom comes in at 40.6 inches and rear headroom at 37.3 inches. Legroom measures 42.3 inches up front and 38 inches in back, which is best in class and considerably roomier than the Mazda3. The rear seat is particularly comfortable for two passengers, helped by the smoothness of this car’s ride.

Adding a sunroof cuts front headroom, but even so, the Elantra’s cabin space is broadly similar to the Civic, one of the class leaders and a little roomier than the Jetta. The cabin’s materials can seem a little plasticky in places in ways the Mazda does not, but the Elantra is generally a comfy place for families, and the big back seat easily handles child seats.

Infotainment: 14/15

Hyundai packs the Elantra with plenty of desirable tech and safety features and wraps them in an attractive display. With the larger optional screen, the effect is one giant screen under the glass shelf, though in all cases it’s two units. An eight-inch touchscreen is standard, but buyers can opt for a larger 10.3-inch infotainment display. The optional configurable 10.3-inch digital gauge cluster is sharp and looks great, even in bright sunlight. 

The infotainment system is very functional and easy to learn, but if you prefer, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, though only the 8-inch screen models are wireless. Happily, many hard controls for basic functions have been retained, including a volume knob.

Cargo Space & Storage: 13/15

Though small, the Elantra manages a generous amount of cargo space. The trunk holds up to 14.2 cubic-feet of cargo, which is just shy of the Honda Civic sedan and fractionally larger than that of the Jetta. That said, the rear seats fold to open the space further for larger or longer items. Honda and Mazda both offer hatchback versions of their small sedans which accommodate much more, and Volkswagen’s Golf GTI is another cargo-friendly performance alternative.

Interior storage in the Elantra is otherwise adequate, with a small but useful center console storage spot and reasonably sized door pockets.

Style & Design: 8/10

The Hyundai Elantra conveys excitement and action, even while sitting still, which is a big bonus for cars in its segment, which sometimes fall back on bland style to cut costs. Interesting lines and geometric shapes give the Elantra’s exterior a polygonal look that is truly unique. Inside, the interior is uncluttered and clean, and all controls are laid out intuitively well within reach of the driver.

The Elantra’s interior is often a sea of black or grey but is well detailed and contemporary in an almost Audi-esque way.

Is the 2022 Hyundai Elantra worth it? Which Elantra is the Best Value?

The Hyundai Elantra represents a tremendous value, and its list of standard features make it a must-drive for entry-level car buyers. That’s on top of stellar safety scores, good fuel economy and attractive styling. 

The mid-range trims, such as the SEL and N-Line, offer the best value without breaking the bank. With prices of $22,245 and $25,395, respectively, the SEL and N-Line trims carry most of what buyers want for a reasonable price. If shopping the SEL, we’d probably opt for the $900 convenience package, which adds adaptive cruise control, and possibly the $2,100 premium package, which adds a sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power driver’s seat and a 60-40 split-folding rear seat that adds versatility.

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2022 Hyundai Elantra?

The Elantra isn’t an expensive car to insure. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium of $1,857, though this averages all 50 states. That compares to $1,798 for the Mazda3, $1,938 for the Nissan Sentra, $1,810 for the Jetta and $1,807 for the Civic. To get a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.