- 1 Features of 2021 Hyundai Elantra
- 2 The Good: It’s a master class in how to handle and ride
- 3 The Hybrid that broke my heart and my bank account
- 4 The N Line: A Vibrant Young Performer (With Potential for Development)
- 5 Inside: An Account of Highs and Lows
- 5.1 Technologies That Will Make You Say, “Oooh!” Possibly “Ugh?” as well
- 5.2 Safety First, Always
- 5.3 The Elantra Provides Value for Your Money (With a Few Restrictions)
The all-new 2021 Hyundai Elantra will take you on an exciting ride, so buckle up. Wow, this new Elantra is amazing. I’ve driven many small cars before, but this one sets the bar. This beautiful car that moves like a dream is the best thing Hyundai has ever made. Get ready to have your dreams crushed!
Features of 2021 Hyundai Elantra
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Driving Experience | – Smooth handling and ride – Impressive 2.0-liter engine behavior – CVT gearbox performs like a regular automatic |
| Hybrid Efficiency | – 1.6-liter engine with electric motor – 50 mpg average according to EPA |
| N Line Performance | – Turbocharged 1.6-liter engine – 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque – Improved steering, tires, and suspension |
| Interior Space | – Spacious cabins for front and rear passengers – Generous trunk space |
| Interior Materials | – Sleek design, but lower trims have cheap plastics – Higher trims offer soft-touch surfaces and leather upholstery |
| Infotainment Technology | – 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (base model) – 10.25-inch widescreen display (higher trims) |
| Safety Features | – Standard blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition – Optional adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert |
| Pricing and Warranty | – Base SE variant starts at $19,650 – Fully equipped Elantra Limited can exceed $26,000 – Hybrid Limited may cost around $29,000 – 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty |
The Good: It’s a master class in how to handle and ride
The driving experience is the most important, so let’s start there. It’s incredible how well this baby rides and handles. Hyundai has found the best way to make the ride calm and easy while letting you feel like you’re part of the road. It looks like they took the best parts of both worlds and put them together in a tempting package.
I will never forget the first time I drove the Elantra. As I walked through the city streets, I was amazed at how well it handled every flaw and slid over cracks and uneven spots. I had a huge smile on my face as I turned onto the wide road and sped around the turns. But the level of complexity in the 2.0-litre engine really shocked me. Even though it’s not a fire-breathing beast, this engine is very well-behaved and sends its power out in a smooth, straightway. Not to mention the continuously variable gearbox (CVT), which gets a lot of bad press, but Hyundai has made it feel almost exactly like a regular automatic. Great stuff!
The Hybrid that broke my heart and my bank account
Let me show you the Elantra Hybrid if you want to get even better gas mileage. This bad boy has a 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and an electric motor that makes 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Surprisingly, the EPA says it gets an average of 50 miles per gallon when driving different types of roads. It was a real pleasure to drive the Elantra Hybrid. The engine’s general responsiveness and the electric motor’s quick torque made driving in the city easy, and I felt in control and sure of myself. Don’t forget about that great, sweet gas mileage, either. My pocketbook almost thanked me for every mile I drove.
The N Line: A Vibrant Young Performer (With Potential for Development)
Should you be the kind of person who needs a bit of extra thrill, the Elantra N Line is for you. The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine in this sportier version produces a solid 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Better steering feel, stickier tyres and firmer suspension combined with the N Line should make driving more interesting. You know what else? Most of the time, it keeps that promise. When you really start pushing the chassis, it feels grounded and balanced, and the steering is responsive.
Turbo lag was one obvious problem, though, that prevented the N Line from becoming truly fantastic. Indeed, comrades, that ancient foe has reared its hideous head once more. Though Hyundai says peak torque starts at 1,500 rpm, I found myself waiting for the boost to start, which made the N mark seem a little slow off the mark. It’s a pity, really, because the engine seems vibrant and ready to play as soon as you crank it up and the turbo spooled.
Inside: An Account of Highs and Lows
Now let’s discuss the inside, where you will be spending most of your time. And believe me, the joys and disappointments are blended together.
The Elantra, on the plus side, has surprisingly spacious cabins for both front and back passengers. It’s amazing for a little car that I had enough of knee room in the back even with my long legs, not to mention the huge trunk that readily absorbed my baggage.
This is where things become a touch more difficult, though. Although the interior design and arrangement are sleek and contemporary overall, particularly in the lower trim levels, the grade of materials utilised is rather poor. Talking about harsh, inexpensive plastics that seem more at home in a rental than in a brand-new automobile. To be sure, the more expensive trim levels do have some finer features, like as soft-touch door panels and leather upholstery. Hyundai might have performed better in a few areas even then. Consider the rear seat; it appears as though they decided to just cover everything in hard plastic after running out of money halfway through.
Technologies That Will Make You Say, “Oooh!” Possibly “Ugh?” as well
The Elantra excels, especially in the electronics department. The 8-inch touchscreen display that is included on even the entry-level SE model has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Yes, people—no more awkward or tangled connections to manage! Wait, though; things improve. A huge 10.25-inch widescreen display that looks truly amazing is standard on the higher trim levels. There is a snag, though. Hyundai for whatever reason, chose to go back to a wired configuration and remove the wireless phone connectivity. Furthermore, you may run into some really annoying display restrictions if you use an Android.
Safety First, Always
Hyundai believes in your safety. Among the remarkable number of standard safety and driver-support systems that the Elantra offers are blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance, and automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition. And given Hyundai’s history of giving occupant protection first priority, I have no doubt the Elantra will perform excellently, even if the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet released its crash test findings for the 2021 model year (as of this writing).
The Elantra Provides Value for Your Money (With a Few Restrictions)
Talking about price, the elephant in the room, now. Right in line with its rivals, the base SE variant of the Hyundai Elantra starts at a fairly affordable $19,650. But things might become a little pricy when you go up the trim levels and begin adding extras. A completely equipped Elantra Limited, for instance, can easily exceed $26,000. Should you choose the hybrid version, expect to pay much more; a top-of-the-line Elantra Hybrid Limited may cost you around $29,000.
Fair enough, Hyundai does provide three years of free maintenance and a great guarantee, which helps defray some of those expenses. Still, it’s worth thinking about if you truly need all those amenities or if a model with a more modest level of equipment will better fit your needs (and budget).
The Result: A Little Car Worth Proud Of
One thing is quite evident when I think back on my time with the Hyundai Elantra 2021: this is a little car that ought to be honoured. It’s not flawless, of course—the N Line’s turbo lag is a little disappointing, and the inside materials might use some updating. It’s difficult not to be pleased, though, when you take into account all the Elantra has to offer—from its outstanding handling and ride to its outstanding technological features and overall value offering.
With a car that not only meets but frequently beyond expectations, Hyundai has really upped the standard in the small sedan market. Everybody may benefit from the Elantra, whether they are a daily commuter searching for a smooth and efficient vehicle or a car fanatic seeking a bit more thrill. Do yourself a favour and give the 2021 Hyundai Elantra a careful look if you’re in the market for a new small sedan. You won’t be let down, I promise you that. And who is to say? As I did, you could find yourself enamoured with this unexpected little overachiever.
FAQs
Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra offer all-wheel drive?
No, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra does not have all-wheel drive. All models have front-wheel drive.
How many miles per gallon does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra get?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra’s gas mileage changes based on the engine and gearbox choices. The EPA says that the regular 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine gets 33 mpg combined, while the hybrid model can get up to 54 mpg combined.
In what ways does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra keep you safe?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has many high-tech safety features, such as forward impact warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a camera for the back seat. Some other features that might be offered are adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra come with a warranty?
Yes, Hyundai offers the best warranty deal for the 2021 Elantra. It includes a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty on the car itself and