2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL Convenience review

Reviewed by Mark TakahashiMark Takahashi

Overview

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra stands out from other compact sedans with its sharply creased and faceted sheet metal as well as its broad grille with integrated wraparound headlights. But don't think that it's only about style, because it also has plenty of substance to prove its worth. In the Hyundai lineup, the Elantra fills the gap between the smaller Accent and midsize Sonata. Much like the larger Sonata, the Elantra is offered in several variants that include an affordable base trim, very efficient hybrids, and a sporty alternative. It goes one step further with a higher performance Elantra N model with 276 horsepower.

Compared to other sedans in this class, such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the Elantra further distinguishes itself with a spacious cabin, a lot of standard features for the money, and the longest warranty in the industry. Sadly, it's not offered in a sportier hatchback body style, but the 2023 Hyundai Elantra's many strengths more than make up for that.

Pros

Spacious interior for the class. Comprehensive list of safety features. Industry-leading warranty.

Cons

Abundance of hard interior plastics. Base engine is merely adequate.

Verdict

The Hyundai Elantra maintains its strong standing among other compact sedans with a roomy interior, a long list of standard safety features, and a very generous warranty. There are also plenty of models available, from efficient hybrids to a high-performance variant.

What's New for 2023

For 2023, the Hyundai Elantra both gains and loses some features. The SEL trim's Premium package has been discontinued, but the surviving Convenience package adds a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with navigation and 17-inch wheels. The N Line model is no longer offered with a manual transmission, but gains that larger touchscreen and navigation.

Trims and Pricing

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is available in seven trim levels: SE, SEL, Hybrid Blue, Limited, N Line, Hybrid Limited, and the enthusiast-oriented Elantra N. The Hybrid Limited is the popular model, but we recommend the SEL for best value. We'll explain why.

SE

Priced at $21,595 (including a $1,095 destination fee), the entry-level SE gets intermittent windshield wipers, a six-way adjustable driver's seat, and power windows with automatic lowering for the driver's window. It also includes upscale features, such as an audio system with an 8-inch touchscreen display and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

SEL

The SEL ($22,845) includes 15-inch alloy wheels and a more feature-filled 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It also has a much wider variety of options, such as a sunroof and wireless charging. We recommend this trim as it allows feature customization at a modest price.

Hybrid Blue

The Hybrid Blue ($25,495) is the closest equivalent to the SEL trim but with the hybrid powertrain. Features include an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM satellite radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Limited

The well-equipped Limited ($27,445) includes heated leather-covered front bucket seats, a 60/40-split fold-down seatback with cupholders in its center armrest, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation.

N Line

The N Line ($28,145) offers a sportier appearance, with more aggressive styling cues and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an integrated navigation system. Unlike some of its competitors, it backs up its looks with a big increase in horsepower. Sport seats with leather bolsters and 18-inch alloy wheels with optional performance tires are also available.

Hybrid Limited

Priced at $30,095, the Hybrid Limited is equipped like the non-hybrid Elantra Limited model. It gets the upgraded interior with the 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation.

N

The performance-focused Elantra N has a starting price of around $33,195. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 276 hp, the N boasts a huge bump in power over its siblings. It also features other performance-enhancing goodies, such as 19-inch alloys, a limited-slip differential, and an available eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with launch control.

Engine and Performance

The standard engine in the 2023 Elantra is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 147 horsepower. It sends the power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The performance-tuned Elantra N Line features a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with a seven-speed automatic. The Elantra Hybrid combines a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total output of 139 hp. It uses a six-speed automatic transmission. The range-topping Elantra N gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 276 hp and can be had with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

For comparison, the standard engine in the Toyota Corolla is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder that delivers 139 hp to the front wheels via a CVT. A 2.0-liter engine is fitted in Corolla SE and XSE sedans and across the Corolla Hatchback lineup. It provides 169 hp. The Corolla Hybrid uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor for a combined system output of 121 hp.

In normal cruising, the Elantra's base engine is smooth and quiet, but acceleration is rather weak. The Elantra HEV (hybrid electric vehicle) has a bit less power versus the base engine at higher speeds, but its electric motor makes it feel more responsive around town. According to independent testers, with the 147-hp 2.0-liter engine, the Elantra's 0-60-mph time is around 8 seconds, which is comparable to results for the base-trim engines of class rivals. The Elantra N's acceleration depends greatly on which transmission you choose. The manual clears 60 mph in a quick 6.4 seconds while the dual-clutch transmission with launch control will get you there in a blistering 5.4 seconds.

Fuel Economy

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra's fuel economy is impressive across the lineup. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the standard Elantra returns 33 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway. The most fuel-efficient Hybrid Blue model gets 53/56 mpg city/highway. The Hybrid Limited with larger tires and added equipment is EPA-rated at 49/52 mpg.

Comparatively, the Toyota Corolla LE with the 1.8-liter base engine delivers 30/38 mpg city/highway, and the Toyota Corolla Hybrid offers 53/52 mpg. The average driver can expect a non-hybrid Elantra to return around 34 mpg in mixed city and highway driving.

Interior

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra provides more interior space and cargo-carrying ability than most of its rivals. It is more than an inch longer and an inch wider than the Toyota Corolla and a full 12 inches longer than the Corolla Hatchback. The larger size affords slightly more front legroom and significantly more rear hip and legroom than most compact sedans.

The Elantra is a tad longer and wider than the Nissan Sentra and Honda Civic. However, among compact cars, the Elantra provides an abundance of rear head- and legroom, and its ability to transport a family of four is unrivaled.

There are 14.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the trunk, besting the Corolla sedan by more than a cubic foot. The Civic sedan presents slightly more at 14.8 cubic feet, and the Sentra has 14.3 cubic feet.

Unlike its daring exterior design, the Elantra's interior is pretty conventional. It has a tidy cluster of easy-to-use controls in the middle of the dashboard and standard auxiliary control buttons on the steering wheel. The dash is tilted toward the driver for easier visibility, and a tall center console further emphasizes the cabin's cockpit feel. Supporting trims get cloth seats, while the Limited models feature leather upholstery and metallic accents. Hard plastic surfaces are a bit more prevalent than in rivals, particularly in the rear passenger area.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Through the years, we have come to appreciate Hyundai infotainment systems for their clarity. The new system in the 2023 Elantra doesn't disappoint. It is not especially flashy, but it's easy to operate. The base center-dash display is an 8-inch touchscreen unit with four speakers. The Elantra SEL and Blue Hybrid use the same 8-inch display but add two more speakers and satellite radio. All of the 8-inch systems have wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. The N Line, Limited, and Limited Hybrid trims have a 10.25-inch touchscreen and dedicated navigation. Unfortunately, they offer Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility only through wired connections.

Safety

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is certified as an exceptionally safe vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Elantra a five-star overall safety rating, the organization's highest. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet rated the 2023 Elantra, but it named the 2022 Elantra a Top Safety Pick.

The Elantra comes with Hyundai's SmartSense bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and driver attention warning. Other features such as blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, automatic high-beam headlight control, and safe exit warning are also standard.

Hyundai Elantra vs. the Competition

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra serves a broad swath of buyers thanks to its conventional, performance, and hybrid models. The Elantra has what most compact-car buyers want: great design, interior comfort, an impressive feature set, and top warranty coverage. However, there are formidable competitors, such as the Toyota Corolla, which also offers both a hybrid model and a performance trim. In addition, the recently redesigned Honda Civic provides a similar amount of space along with the latest technology. Both Toyota and Honda also have hatchback versions of their respective models, making them intriguing alternatives to compact SUVs.

Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic

Hyundai Elantra vs. Toyota Corolla

TrueCar Expert Review Methodology

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Which is better Elantra SE or SEL?

2022 Hyundai Elantra SE (Starting at $19,850) It has an acceptable level of features, but if you need heated seats and side mirrors, you're better off moving to the SEL and its optional packages. A 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine teamed with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) propels SE.

Is Elantra better than Kona?

The Hyundai Elantra outshines the Hyundai Kona with its engine capabilities, fuel economy ratings, safety features, and overall owner satisfaction reports.

Which Elantra model is the best?

The best Hyundai Elantra model years are from 2019 onwards, 2004-2006, 2015, 2016, and 1998. On the other hand, the worst Hyundai Elantra model years are the 2017, 2010-2012, 2013, and the 2001-2002 model years. Taking note of these model years is important if you are looking to purchase a used Elantra.