More articles

2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Review: Putting Everyone on Notice

Don’t look now, but the Hyundai Elantra has slowly risen up the ranks in the competitive compact sedan world – yes, the segment does still exist – to the point where it is nipping at the heels of perennial segment leaders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Only of those offers a hybrid powertrain to compete with our tester. It’s heady territory for the Hyundai, even in a diminished segment.

Styling of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid – 8.5/10

Of the three, the Elantra is the best-looking. The Corolla has some uniqueness thanks to its aggressive headlight lenses and the way the grille inhabits the bumper but the Honda – even in sporty Si form – is bland. 

The Elantra flashes V-shaped hood creases, a large origami-esque grille and a set of aggressive headlight lenses of its own, whose corners give the impression it’s got some stylized eyebrows. On the sides we find more edgy creasing on the doors and rear quarter panel, as well as some two-tone ninja-star 17-inch alloy wheels. Admittedly, those seem a touch small since they’re surrounded by such broad body panels; alas, short of opting for the N Line model, they’re as big as you’re going to get. 

The rear fascia, meanwhile, gets a cool 3D look thanks to the way the leading edge of the trunk and its lower section face inwards; I’m also a big fan of the font used for the big “Elantra” scripting across the rear deck. Add a full-length light bar that ties it all together, and you have a modern, low-slung overall look that does well to mimic the futuristic Ioniq 5 EV and is a cut above your typical compact sedan.

Interior of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid – 7.5/10

The beat goes on inside. We find smooth, broad surfaces that contribute to a feeling of airiness that adds an air of luxury to the environment. The wheel spokes take some getting used to, but the digital gauge cluster, wide 10.25-inch touchscreen display (standard on our Luxury tester; Preferred and Essential models get an 8.0-inch display) and centre stack keeps traditional hard buttons, but arranges them is such as way that clutter is reduced.

Read more