You will not mistake the redesigned Hyundai Elantra for another sedan on the street right now.

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Because the outdated saying goes, there’s multiple option to pores and skin a cat. No matter vitriol the individual that coined this adage had towards felines is unknown, however their logic is sound, particularly if you happen to’re trying to save cash on the pump. There are many super-thrifty automobiles to select from and you do not even must get a plug-in mannequin or one thing that is totally electrical. You may seize a Toyota Corolla Hybrid and even Honda’s economical Perception. After which there’s the Prius, a family title and a confirmed performer. However have you ever thought of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid? If not, you completely ought to.

In Blue trim, its best type, this small sedan returns some whopping fuel-economy figures. Count on round 53 mpg metropolis, 56 mpg freeway and 54 mpg mixed. The highest-shelf Restricted mannequin I am evaluating right here, nonetheless, is 4 mpg much less environment friendly in every driving cycle. That feels like an enormous hit, however on a proportion foundation it actually is not, plus in real-world driving I am averaging about 48 mpg, which remains to be phenomenal. These outstanding figures are robust sufficient to make the Elantra Hybrid extra miserly than a few of its rivals, however penny-pinching parsimony is not the one cause to think about considered one of these Hyundais.

What actually units this automotive aside from the pack is its avant-garde design. With its intricate entrance finish that recollects a multifaceted gemstone to its crisply creased flanks to that angular rump, this sedan has some critical fashion. No, its appears to be like will not be for everybody, however the Elantra stands out from virtually every part else on the street right now. The one potential drawback is longevity. This automotive appears to be like nice within the second, however I query whether or not it’ll stay as enticing just a few years down the street or if it’ll age like unrefrigerated milk.

These suave attractiveness carry by means of to the Elantra’s inside, which is as upscale as it’s effectively geared up. The techy-looking dashboard is angled barely towards the motive force so extra of the controls are inside simple attain. Painted silver accents brighten up the cockpit, which in any other case is likely to be a bit too extreme in black, although a grey colour scheme is out there, too.

The automotive’s sprint is constructed of enticing laborious and comfortable plastics and the entire shebang appears to be like extra upscale than you’d usually count on from a car on this class. After all, some cost-cutting is noticeable, although none of it’s egregious. The headliner is of iffy high quality and there are not any air vents or energy retailers for rear-seat passengers. Additionally, there is a bizarre applique to the left of the steering wheel, a gear-like circle with a line within the center. In case you anticipated this component to perform, you may be sorely dissatisfied as a result of it is purely ornamental, although on N Line variations of the Elantra that is the place the drive mode button is situated. 

This automotive’s inside is simply as trendy as its exterior.

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The Elantra Hybrid’s entrance seats are comfy sufficient, plus they’re heated and ventilated within the Restricted mannequin, however the rear lodging are spectacular for a automotive of this measurement. There’s stretch-out quantities of legroom and there is almost as a lot head house. On prime of that, the cushions are properly positioned with a comfortably angled backrest and even a fold-down heart armrest. This Hyundai’s cabin is ethereal and open, with 99.4 cubic ft of passenger quantity, which makes it extra capacious than its sedan rivals. Even the trunk is very large, clocking in at 14.2 cubes, a tiny bit lower than the Perception offers.

Two 10.3-inch screens are commonplace on Restricted-trim Elantras. This features a reconfigurable digital instrument cluster and a crisp touchscreen that is residence to a superb infotainment system. Not solely is it colourful and straightforward to make use of, this multimedia array is tremendous responsive, virtually by no means lagging or stuttering. Embedded navigation is included right here as effectively. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are commonplace throughout the Elantra vary, although they require using a cable on Restricted fashions. Curiously, lower-end examples help wi-fi smartphone mirroring on their smaller 8-inch infotainment display, one thing I’ve skilled in different Hyundai and Kia autos.

As for driver aids, the Elantra Hybrid comes commonplace with the same old suspects. Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot help, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping help and computerized excessive beams, amongst others, are all accounted for. The Restricted trim additionally contains adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality in addition to Freeway Drive Help, which throws lane centering into the combination. All of those facilities work as marketed and are intuitive.

The Hyundai Elantra’s powertrain is easy and tremendous environment friendly, if not notably muscular.

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The Elantra Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that is matched to a six-speed dual-clutch computerized gearbox. This engine is augmented by an electrical motor that brings 43 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque to the celebration, whereas a lithium-ion polymer battery pack serves as an electron reservoir. Whole system output is a modest 139 hp, however the twist is extra spectacular at 195 lb-ft. Quiet and refined, this sedan accelerates higher than you may count on after studying these numbers. No, it will not set the world on hearth, however it has more-than-respectable scoot for on a regular basis use, particularly when you think about simply how economical it’s. The powertrain’s paucity of ponies is barely actually noticeable at freeway speeds the place it feels considerably asthmatic. Switching to the Sport driving mode from both Regular or Good does liven issues up barely and marginally stiffens the steering.

Slowing your roll, this automotive’s brakes are a little bit rubbery underfoot and the preliminary chew of regenerative deceleration is a tiny bit abrupt, however in any other case the pedal feels effective and the transition to friction braking is just about imperceptible. Journey high quality is on the stiff facet, which is shocking contemplating the hybrid mannequin is about 200 kilos heavier than a standard Elantra Restricted. Maybe engineers had been making an attempt to make the automotive really feel as sporty because it appears to be like.

Do you just like the Elantra’s edgy design or is it an excessive amount of?

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Underway, the inside is impressively hushed, apart from the high-efficiency Hankook Kinergy GT tires mounted to 17-inch wheels. Relying on the floor, they have an inclination to sing, plus additionally they really feel a little bit greasy whereas cornering, squealing with little provocation. The Elantra’s steering is easy and correct, if in any other case unremarkable. When Freeway Drive Help is activated, the lane-keeping help does an outstanding job protecting the Elantra Hybrid between the traces. In actual fact, this setup performs higher than some methods provided in far costlier luxurious autos. The one actual dynamic draw back to this automotive is the transmission, which on very uncommon events can really feel befuddled. Normally, it is tremendous easy and fairly fast to shift, although not as speedy as different dual-clutch gearboxes.

An entry-level 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid begins at $24,555 together with $1,005 in vacation spot charges. That makes it about $3,700 pricier than an ordinary 2022 Elantra sedan, an considerable distinction. The highest-of-the-line Restricted mannequin reviewed right here rolled off the meeting line in Ulsan, South Korea carrying a $29,260 price ticket, which is correct in step with an Perception Touring and, frankly, not unreasonable contemplating the common new-vehicle transaction value today is round 41 grand.

If maximizing gasoline effectivity is as vital to you as trendy design, your chariot awaits. The Elantra Hybrid can stretch a gallon of gasoline like one of the best of ’em and it appears to be like much better whereas doing so.