2024 Hyundai Elantra Sedan

　　

2024 Hyundai Elantra Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　There was a time when small, economical cars were derided for their uninspired styling, cheap interiors and weak performance. In the last decade, consumers have demanded more for their money, and Hyundai helped lead the charge by delivering vehicles that battle well above their price. The Elantra is a prime example. This is a stylish small sedan that goes big on interior room, model variety and value.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$106/mo  for Elantra SE

　　Elantra SE

　　SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,625 MSRPSEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $23,575 MSRPLimited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $27,065 MSRPN Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) - $28,465 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: 2024 Elantra changes

For 2024, Hyundai has given the Elantra a subtle but significant styling refresh. The new front end features a split grille for an even sleeker appearance, while the rear gets a more refined taillight design and a few more styling tweaks. Inside, there are a few new features that include additional USB charge ports, a redesigned wireless charging pad, and new side-impact airbags for rear passengers. The 2024 Elantra's lineup is largely the same and includes an available hybrid powertrain and the high-performance Elantra N. Hyundai says it has revised the N's steering and suspension for improved precision and control.

　　

Competitors to consider

Check out our Expert Rating to learn more and see where the Elantra lands among its chief rivals. These include its corporate cousin, the Kia Forte, along with the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. As is the case with the Honda and Mazda, there are sportier and more expensive variants to satisfy performance-minded drivers, so there should be a model that fits your preferences and budget perfectly.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Please note that this rating is based on a prior year and may change slightly once we perform complete testing of the 2024 Elantra's changes.

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.0/10

　　How does the Elantra drive? The base 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is lacking when it comes to speed. At zzdcar' test track, our Elantra reached 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, which is slower than average compared to rivals. It's not terrible, but passing or getting up to highway speeds can be laborious.

　　What power it does have is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission that Hyundai tunes for optimal fuel economy, so it too is not very impressive for spirited driving. But in typical situations, the transmission delivers a smooth experience, and there's only a little of the notorious droning noise that CVTs are known for.

　　Elsewhere, the Elantra is pretty middle-of-the-road. It handles corners decently well for a small sedan, behaving predictably, and it's not easily upset over bumps. But for a sporty drive, you'll want to get the N Line, which comes with a sport-tuned suspension.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Elantra? The Elantra delivers a smooth ride. There's enough plushness to soak up bumps in the road well, but it also settles relatively quickly. The seats are also comfortable for the most part. The driver's seat bottom feels just a touch flat, and it might not provide enough support on road trips more than a few hours long. There isn't much in the way of side bolstering to keep you planted when cornering either.

　　The climate controls are easy to use, with big dials to work the available dual-zone climate control. The heated seats, when equipped, activate quickly. There is noticeable wind noise as you increase speed, but that is typical for the class, and passengers can more or less carry on conversations at normal volume.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below