Known for their top selling crossovers like their Tucson and Santa Fe, Hyundai also makes a hybrid sedan that gets little publicity, yet it provides terrific fuel economy, earned top safety scores, is stylish and has the latest in technology.
Hyundai’s 2024 Elantra is offered in SE, SEL, SEL Convenience, Limited, N Line, Blue HEV, HEV and N models. We tested the Limited Hybrid HEV that is one sharp looking sedan.
Elantra is in its seventh generation that was introduced in 2021. Since then, Elantra for 2024 has undergone a makeover with an eye-catching shark-nose grille and swept-back styling that ends with a full-width LED taillight treatment.
Its interior is equally as impressive with H-Tex leather seating and a swopping 30-inch long digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen. The infotainment display is 10.25 inches and the instrument cluster is 10 inches but it gives the appearance that it’s a long single screen.
The nicely supportive and heated/ventilated front seats are bold in design and heavily padded. The rears are equally as comfy for two adults. Rear leg room is good but headroom is marginal for tall folks.
Elantra’s vertical stack is nicely designed with a wireless cell charger and large, easy to use and view HVAC controls. The infotainment display offers a rearview camera with overhead view, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Wi-Fi connectivity, along with some voice recognition.
On the console, the neat T-handle gear selector controls the 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and it was commendable that Hyundai didn’t use a CVT transmission. The shifter is flanked by auxiliary switches for drive modes of Eco, Sport and Smart. Mode selections are displayed on the gauge cluster and on the driver information display within it.
Trunk space is fairly generous at 14.2 cubic feet for 43 inches of space that can easily accommodate two large rollie luggage bags. Flip the rear seat backs and cargo loading space increases to 69 inches.
Power wise, Elantra Hybrid has a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that combined with the electric motor and battery produces a total output of 139-hp and 145 lb/ft of torque for impressive EPA mileage estimates of 49 city, 52-highway mpg, about the same as a Toyota Prius in case you need a comparison. So equipped, the small 4-cylinder propels the Elantra with decent zip that is linear in acceleration. Sport mode adds a little extra and it has been independently 0-60 tested at nine seconds.
Elantra rides smoothly on smooth roads but a bit jiggly on rough roads. Overall, it’s a well-controlled ride and it handles nicely. It’s also nimble and easy to park and in EV mode, hush quiet.
As the Limited the top-tier trim level, it came exceptionally equipped with a host of safety features such as blind spot collision warning, forward collision assist, lane keeping/lane following assist, reverse/forward parking distance warning, rear cross traffic alert, rear exit warning, driver attention warning and more.
For that, and a long list of convenience amenities, Elantra Hybrid carried a base price of $29,450. The only options were for carpeted floor mats ($210) and Sereneti White paint ($470) that took the bottom line to a reasonable $31,280 with delivery.
Most importantly, Elantra received a full five government safety stars for driver/passenger frontal crash and five for rollover.
And it’s no secret that Hyundai has the best warranty protections with a 5 year/60K new vehicle warranty, 10/100K powertrain, 10/100K hybrid system components warranty, 10/100K hybrid battery warranty, 7/Unlimited ant-perforation, 3/36K complimentary maintenance and a 5/Unlimited roadside assistance warranties.
How can anyone say no to this coverage and to a fuel saving hybrid sedan that is a compelling choice. The only way it could be better is was offered with AWD for folks in the Snowbelt.