Over the years, I have developed a strong and somewhat biased fondness for the Hyundai Elantra. This attachment stems from my ownership of two Elantra’s over the years: my first being a 2002 Elantra GLS during my high school days, and more recently, a 2018 Elantra Sport equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. Hyundai has consistently excelled in making the Elantra an appealing choice, employing innovative designs and offering a comprehensive list of standard features. Now, Hyundai is taking it a step further by introducing a new Hybrid option, making the Elantra even more attractive to a broader range of drivers.

Softening its Edges

For 2024, the Hyundai Elantra undergoes a subtle yet impactful exterior makeover, refining its previous design by softening the hard angles and presenting a fresher, sleeker appearance. Inside, the overall layout remains largely unchanged, but the quality of the finishes has been notably elevated. Although not visible in the photos, our test model featured a stylish faux white leather interior, complemented by a dark dashboard and fabric door inserts. The cabin felt airy and bright, enhanced by modern elements such as the dual 10.3-inch digital displays, which add a sophisticated and contemporary touch to the driving experience.

Unexpectedly Good Performance

Hybrid technology in compact cars isn’t groundbreaking, but the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid distinguishes itself through its performance, despite initial impressions that might suggest otherwise. It features a 104-horsepower gasoline inline-four engine paired with a 43-horsepower electric motor and a compact battery pack, resulting in a combined output of 139 horsepower. While these numbers might seem underwhelming, they don’t accurately reflect the car’s actual performance. Surprisingly nimble, the Elantra Hybrid disproves the notion that hybrids are sluggish. Although calling it “quick” would be an exaggeration, it’s certainly not slow. The Elantra Hybrid accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just over 8 seconds, significantly faster than the Toyota Corolla Hybrid’s nearly 11-second time.

LIKES: Attractive interior cabin, enjoyable driving characteristics, still impressive fuel economy.

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid stands out with its impressive six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, setting it apart from competitors like the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid, which use single-speed CVTs. This distinction allows the Elantra to drive, accelerate, and respond more like a conventional car, avoiding the typical engine drone associated with CVTs. The Elantra Hybrid also excels in ride and handling, offering a nicely weighted steering wheel, composed ride quality, and a remarkably quiet cabin, even at speeds of 75 mph.

Unfortunately, the fuel economy of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid fell short of expectations. Our Limited model, which features slightly larger wheels than the entry-level Blue trim, has a lower EPA rating of 49 mpg in the city, 52 mpg on the highway, and 50 mpg combined. However, over the course of a week, I averaged a combined 47.6 mpg. This discrepancy is understandable given that my driving was primarily highway travel and the extreme summer temperatures place significant strain on the air conditioning, further affecting fuel efficiency.

DISLIKES: Holds a $5,000 premium, still no wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto

An entry-level non-hybrid Hyundai Elantra SE starts at $21,625, while the Elantra Hybrid Blue begins at $26,250. For the Limited trim, the non-hybrid version starts at $27,065, whereas the Hybrid Limited comes in at $29,450. The $2,500 premium for the hybrid may seem difficult to justify for just a few extra miles per gallon. However, someone such as myself that commutes nearly 100 miles a day, those extra MPG’s can add up significantly over time. If the difference makes sense to you, it’s a reasonable choice. Either way, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid makes for a highly capable commuter from all perspectives.

2024 HYUNDAI ELANTRA HYBRID LIMITED

STARTING PRICE: $26,250 
AS-TESTED: $29,450  

PERFORMANCE: 

 ENGINE: 2.0-LITER FOUR-CYLINDER W/ 32kWH ELECTRIC MOTOR & BATTERY HYBRID 
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 139-HP / 109 LB-FT 
TRANSMISSION: 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC 
DRIVETRAIN: FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE 
EPA MPG: 49-city / 52-highway  / 50-combined 
AS-TESTED MPG: 47.6-MPG