I truly preferred the earlier Elantra with its swooping face and large grille. Few individuals agreed with me, although, which is why Hyundai commissioned a refresh for the seventh-generation sedan after simply two years in the marketplace. It’s nonetheless loads swoopy; however, the grille is now proportional to the vent within the decrease fascia, which provides the compact sedan with a critical shark-nose vibe. I like sharks.

After which there’s the 51 miles per gallon I averaged over roughly 400 miles, in accordance with the Elantra’s PC mind. Half of that got here at 75 miles per hour on the freeway, and once I lastly pulled right into a fuel station, I nonetheless had a quarter-tank to go. If I sound impressed, it’s as a result of me. And I haven’t even talked concerning the Elantra’s posh lodging in restricted trim, which belies its $30,000 sticker value.

Sure, I’m conscious there’s simply 139 horsepower underneath the hood; however, don’t let that determine dissuade you from giving this automotive an opportunity. The naturally aspirated 1.6-liter four-cylinder makes simply 104 hp by itself, with the only electrical motor bringing the remainder. It’s actually not quick, and I by no means anticipated it as a lot—however, it’s not frustratingly gradual, both. In brief, this powertrain underpromises and overdelivers.

Credit score the hybrid’s torque varies, which peaks at 195 pound-feet at around 4,000 rpm. However, that’s not the entire story. The electrical motor generates 125 lb-ft of that twist, and it hits immediately. That’s excellent for making a left flip amid heavy metropolis site visitors going 45 mph, even with a carload of adults on board. Energy is satisfactory in all conditions; however, extra importantly, the supply comes from the place every day commuters want it most—low and mid-range. You won’t win any drag races; however, you’ll really feel assured in most conditions behind the wheel.

You’ll get pleasure from not fueling up frequently, too. The Elantra’s hybrid format locations the electrical motor between the engine and transmission. Meaning it could run purely on electrical energy, and I’m not speaking about 10-mph cruising in a car parking zone. When you have sufficient juice within the 1.3-kilowatt-hour battery, the engine will shut down at speeds of as much as 75 mph. On the town, it’s not arduous to run silent for minutes at a time. When you’re on flat highways, the four-cylinder will shut off as typically as it could.

Professionals: Sharp Styling, Stylish Inside, Effectively Outfitted For The Value

Once I finally gassed up after 420 miles, the Elantra confirmed a mean of 51 mpg. The pump clicked off at 8.2 gallons, equalling 51.2 mpg after some primary math. That’s a smidge higher than the EPA’s mixed ranking of fifty mpg, and you also don’t have to sacrifice all measures of acceleration to get it.

You don’t must sacrifice a precise cogged transmission, both. The Elantra packs a smart-shifting six-speed dual-clutch computerized, whereas the Toyota Prius doesn’t have a standard transmission. The Honda Civic Hybrid has a one-speed setup not like a full EV, although each is admittedly a lot faster in a straight line.

Climbing behind the wheel, I’m confronted with spherical twos of underpromise/overdeliver. I’d heard criticism concerning the Elantra’s inside feeling low cost; however, this white restricted trim with a heat two-tone motif is nothing of the kind. The material door inserts caught my consideration straight away, punctuated with distinction stitching and silver Bose speaker inserts, not like these used within the considerably dearer Palisade. Delicate-touch supplies are all over the place, and the seats—now lined in Hyundai’s H-Tex artificial leather-based—are heated and ventilated in the entrance.

There’s a definite cockpit feel for the driving force, due partially to the ten.3-inch infotainment display screen and middle stack being canted barely to the left. Talking of the stack, it’s a case study of learning how to supply bodily controls while preserving a clear, tidy inside house. Stereo and media capabilities are neatly constructed into the sprint beneath the local weather vents. Local weather settings are beneath that, additionally organized neatly and effectively. The six-speed computerized is definitely dealt with with an outstanding shift stalk, which I like; however, I’m additionally hopelessly old-fashioned. I’ll concede one thing trendy like a dial or a small lever would release useful house within the console.

Cons: Comfortable Inside, Suspension Might Be Softer

Ditching the bizarre middle divider on the passenger aspect of the console would additionally release some house. It contributes to the inside’s cockpit vibe; however, it is a case where the place to operate is preferable over kind. I shuttled a number of front-seat passengers throughout my week with the Elantra, and every felt unduly cramped by the divider. Rear seat passengers additionally felt a bit comfortable; however, it is a compact sedan. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting if you happen to’re usually shuffling ageing relations with unhealthy knees to the physician.

My solely different gripe with the Elantra Hybrid is the trip-high quality. It’s a bit noisy taking place on the street, which is suitable since we’re not speaking a couple of luxurious land yachts right here. However, Hyundai might draw some inspiration from such machines and soften the suspension a tad. Issues felt a bit too agency for my style, no less than on this utility. Let the Elantra N fulfill these cravings. The Elantra hybrid needs to be sedate and subdued. In any case, you’ll be spending numerous hours behind the wheel earlier than stopping for gas.

None of those points would stop me from shopping for one. It’s arguably the best-looking automotive in its class, and with a sticker value of $31,280 in range-topping restricted trim, it’s one of many most cost-effective. You possibly can save $1,000 and get a much less glamorous Toyota Corolla Hybrid XLE, or spend about $1,000 extra on a decidedly extra highly effective Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid.

However, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Restricted simply would possibly supply one of the best of all worlds, combining standout appears to be like with distinctive gas economic system, cheap efficiency, and a style of luxury seldom seen at this value level.