Overview
Hyundai is becoming increasingly known for daring designs, and the company’s compact sedan, the 2021 Elantra, is the latest to receive a bold new look. Photos of the new Elantra show angular exterior details and an upscale cabin, both of which should pull focus away from the segment’s heavy hitters—namely the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Sentra. Hyundai will introduce a hybrid powertrain for the model, and a host of driver-assistance features will be standard, with more advanced tech offered as options.
What’s New for 2021?
Toyota went for a clean-sheet redesign of the Elantra for 2021, complete with modern exterior and interior styling and more advanced technology features. Hyundai will offer a hybrid Elantra for the first time and is aiming for an EPA combined rating of 50 mpg or higher with that powertrain. We expect the new Elantra to go on sale before the end of 2020.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- SE: $ 20,000 (est)
- SEL: $ 22,000 (est)
- Hybrid: $ 24,000 (est)
- Limited: $ 26,000 (est)
Hyundai hasn’t released pricing for any of the 2021 trims, so we’re making educated guesses here. Once we know more about how each model will be equipped, we’ll update this story. Our guess is that the mid-range SEL model will offer the best balance of price and features, but depending on your budget, the loaded Elantra Limited may be worth the splurge.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The nonhybrid powertrain is a carryover from the previous generation. These Elantras will be powered by a 147-hp four-cylinder engine. Front-wheel drive is the only option here, as is a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The hybrid model uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with an electric motor to make 139 horsepower. Gearchanges are handled by a six-speed automatic. Neither of these options are likely to offer thrilling acceleration, but we’ll reserve judgement until we can get behind the wheel and see for ourselves. We also don’t know if Hyundai will continue to offer a Sport model with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA has not yet released estimates for the 2021 Elantra’s fuel economy, but we’re expecting decent results given the 2020 model was rated as high as 41 mpg in highway driving. The previous generation eked out 43 mpg in our 200-mile highway fuel-economy test. Hyundai estimates that the new hybrid model will earn a combined rating of at least 50 mpg—which it’ll need if it’s to go head to head with the Honda Insight, its key rival. Plus, when we took the Insight on our 200-mile test route, it delivered an excellent 47 mpg. We’ll test the Elantra hybrid closer to its on-sale date and update this story with our results.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Like its dramatically restyled exterior, the cabin of the Elantra receives a bold update for 2021. The dashboard and center console wrap around the driver while the passenger’s side takes a more minimalist approach. A single LED strip follows the dashboard-spanning air vent across the width of the car from the steering column to the passenger’s-side door panel. Passenger volume is expected to grow slightly in the 2021 model, particularly in the rear seat, to help the Elantra compete with roomier rivals such as the Sentra and the Volkswagen Jetta. Once we get a 2021 Elantra into our office for testing, we’ll test its ability to fit carry-on suitcases inside its trunk and report the results here.
Infotainment and Connectivity
An optional 10.3-inch digital gauge display rubs elbows with a second 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that sprouts from the top of the Elantra’s dashboard. It’s unknown which trims will get this arrangement, but it looks upscale and tech-forward. The standard infotainment setup will be an 8.0-inch center display and analog gauges for the instrument cluster. Hyundai’s latest infotainment interface is likely to take center stage here. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both expected to be standard, as is a Wi-Fi connection. A voice-recognition feature allows the driver to adjust things such as the climate control or the heated seats by uttering specific phrases.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Since the 2021 Elantra is new, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have performed crash tests.
Driver-assistance features will be on the menu and many of them will be offered as standard. Key safety features are likely to include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
The 2021 Elantra will carry Hyundai’s legendary 10-year/100,000-mile torch when it goes on sale later this year. The only competitor that can match the new Elantra in terms of standard warranty protection is its corporate sibling, the Kia Forte; although it should be noted that while Hyundai offers three years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, Kia does not.
- Limited warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for three years or 36,000 miles
