2025 Hyundai Elantra

In an SUV-dominated world, the compact sedan remains alive and kicking, and the 2025 Hyundai Elantra is one of the most recommendable. No rival can match the 2025 Elantra’s terrific combination of powertrain choice, warranty coverage, and feature set. Whether you need low-cost, reliable transportation that earns up to 36 mpg combined or are seeking a track-ready sports sedan with a manual transmission, the Elantra offers it, wrapped in an eye-catching design. This Hyundai is even available as the ultra-efficient Elantra Hybrid, which we review separately.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of compact cars, including the Hyundai Elantra.

The SEL trim is now called the SEL Sport, while the former SEL with Convenience Package becomes a separate trim called SEL Convenience (how convenient).

The Hyundai Elantra remains an excellent value in what already is a value-oriented segment. We think the SEL Sport trim – one up from base level – has strong features for the dollar with its dual 10.25-inch screen displays and alloy wheels. Even more enticing is the SEL Convenience with adaptive cruise control, sunroof, and more.

For comparison, the Toyota Corolla starts around the same price as the Elantra. The Honda Civic and Mazda3 begin a bit higher, and the Nissan Sentra and Volkswagen Jetta have slightly lower starting prices.

Before buying a new Hyundai Elantra, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Resale values are about average. Remember, recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Most Elantra models, and thus most of its drivers, will be propelled by the standard 147-horsepower 4-cylinder engine. And most of those drivers will be satisfied with its just-fine acceleration, impressive fuel economy, and comfortable manners. It’s no rocket, but hardly anyone shopping for a compact car like the Elantra desires such a thing.

We said “hardly” anyone, which means others seek spice in their commuter car. In a lovely surprise, Hyundai offers two extra levels of heat. The Elantra N Line has a rewarding 201-hp turbo engine that will put a smile on your face. It delivers fun without going overboard. For a smaller subset of buyers – as in those also considering a Honda Civic Type R – Hyundai answers the enthusiasts’ call with the Elantra N, a 276-hp sports sedan disguised as, well, an Elantra. The N is the only variant to offer a manual transmission. It’s standard, with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission available.

Fuel Economy

The base engine in the 2025 Elantra delivers an estimated 36 mpg in combined city-and-highway driving, which is as good as it gets among non-hybrids in this segment. The Elantra N-Line gets 31 mpg in mixed driving, while the performance-oriented Elantra N is unsurprisingly the least efficient at 24 mpg with the manual transmission and 23 mpg with an automatic. If even higher fuel economy is a priority, the Elantra Hybrid (reviewed separately) achieves up to 54 mpg combined.

We’re big fans of the Elantra’s interior and think you will be, too. It’s roomy for its size with some of the highest passenger volume in its segment, yet nicely envelops the driver thanks to a grab bar that visually and physically separates the front passenger space. If you and family or friends happen to exist on the taller side of the height spectrum, good news: The Elantra boasts headroom at or near the top of its class in both the front and back, and class-leading rear legroom of 38 inches.

Here’s another thing we love about the Elantra: physical controls. While it has a touchscreen like every other modern car (8 inches in lower trims, 10.25 inches in higher ones), there are actual buttons and dials for features we all constantly use, including audio volume, climate controls, and the like. There’s even an honest-to-goodness transmission lever instead of buttons or a dial.

The Elantra’s trunk is big, too. At 14.2 cubic feet, it’s below that of the Honda Civic sedan and above that of the Toyota Corolla.

Remember when showing up in a compact car let everyone know you could only afford a compact car? The 2025 Hyundai Elantra makes such a scenario a distant memory. Seriously, just look at its taut, angular body with creases and curves in all the right places. The Elantra is among the most visually exciting cars in its class. With no disrespect to the more traditional lines of the Nissan Sentra or VW Jetta, the Elantra looks sharper. At 184.1 inches in length, you might mistake the technically compact Elantra for a midsize sedan like its big brother the Sonata.

The sportier N Line has a more aggressive fascia, while the high-performance Elantra N touts a rear spoiler, thick dual exhaust outlets, and a red paint line that runs across the bottom of the vehicle to create a sweet contrast to the other paint colors.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
This is standard in Elantra models with the 8-inch touchscreen, allowing users to keep their phones in pockets or purses. Higher trims come with a larger 10.25-inch screen but lose the wireless smartphone connectivity, featuring wired only.

Bluelink connected services
A free 3-year subscription brings features like remote lock/unlock, stolen vehicle recovery, open window alerts, and automatic collision notification.

Dual 10.25-inch displays
Higher trims bring a digital driver information display and a larger infotainment touchscreen, contributing to a more tech-rich cabin.

N Line turbocharged engine
The N Line bridges that gap between the so-so performance of the SE/SEL/Limited models and the high-performance (and higher priced) Elantra N with a pleasing amount of pep and poise.

Hyundai Digital Key
Limited, N Line, and N trims enable access by using a phone app with Android devices or a key card.

Efficiency
Most shoppers in the market for a compact sedan want it to be efficient, and the Elantra delivers with 36 mpg combined fuel economy, which ties with the Honda Civic as best in class for non-hybrids.

Most versions of the 2025 Elantra compact sedan use a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower. It’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Every 2025 Elantra has a front-wheel-drive configuration.

The N Line has a friskier and more rewarding engine: a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder developing a punchier 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, coupled with a 7-speed automatic transmission.

The Elantra N is a wolf in sheep’s clothing thanks to its turbo 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that hammers out 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque from a diet of premium gasoline (the other engines are OK with regular). As an enthusiast’s choice, the Elantra N offers a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an 8-speed automatic.

Warranty

The Hyundai Elantra enjoys class-leading warranties. Hyundai’s excellent coverage includes a 5-year/60,000-mile (whichever happens first) basic warranty, a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 3-year/36,000-mile complimentary maintenance plan.

Safety

The Hyundai Elantra has been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), its second-highest rating. It also receives a 5-Star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These ratings were for the 2024 model, so we expect the unchanged 2025 model to get the same ratings. Standard safety features include blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention warning.