Used 2020 Hyundai Elantra

#4 in Best Small Cars of 2020

There’s no dispute, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra is really impressive. After a substantial makeover last year, Hyundai has made even more improvements this year. The bigger takeaway from these developments is that the compact-sedan scene is alive, well and thriving. Otherwise why would major manufacturers make such an effort? The Elantra competes with superb cars like the Honda Civic and Mazda3. It does so by emphasizing luxury and safety aspects, generous standard equipment, styling influenced by upscale cars, plus an unbeatable 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. For those seeking something sporty, there’s the hatchback Elantra GT N Line (taking over from the GT Sport).

RELATED: Best Small Cars of 2020

Overall, the Hyundai Elantra sedan leans more toward comfortable and controlled than involving and lively. The electrically assisted steering does its job efficiently, but not with any particular feel. The base 147-horsepower engine at least has some zest, while the brakes feel confident. The Eco model’s engine is a turbocharged 1.4-liter unit that balances a useful 128 horsepower with an average of 36 mpg. For more power, the Elantra GT hatchback brings 161 horses, while the Sport sedan model and the GT N Line enjoy 201. Incidentally, the Sport sedan and the GT N Line have a more sophisticated rear suspension, enhancing the cars’ agility.

Clever packaging means the Hyundai Elantra compact sedan has passenger space on a par with midsize sedans: 96 cubic feet. The GT hatchback is roomier by one cubic foot. Hyundai isn’t the only smart car company, of course. The Honda Civic sedan offers 98 cubic feet. The overall picture, though, is rosy for buyers who would like something bigger than the typical compact car, but don’t have the necessary funds. While lounging in the spacious cabin of the Elantra, we can appreciate the physical controls for things like the climate and audio systems, as opposed to scrolling through a bunch of sub-menus on a touch screen.

It might be tough to distinguish the 2020 Elantra sedan from its larger Sonata stablemate, but that’s not exactly a bad thing. The company’s current design approach is arguably easy on most people’s eyes, perhaps with an Audi-esque undertone to the front. The higher trims have LED headlights. Buyers should also find an alloy wheel design that works for them. Despite the roomy interior, the Elantra remains more than manageable at 15 feet long. About nine feet of that is the wheelbase, which is relatively expansive. Short wheelbases restrict legroom and contribute to a jiggly ride quality.

POWER TRUNK WITH A TRICK
This is so much smarter than having to do a one-footed dance under the rear bumper. Just stand at the rear of the Elantra sedan with the key fob somewhere near (like in a pocket or a purse) and the power-operated trunk lid will open after a few seconds.

QI WIRELESS CHARGING
Although we wish it were standard in every car, the 2020 Elantra in second-from-top Limited trim comes with a Qi charging pad, which is so much tidier and more convenient than fiddling with cables.

Now with dual-zone automatic climate control, an automatic transmission, forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and driver-attention monitoring, the entry-level 2020 Elantra SE expands its inventory of standard equipment. The other features are general rather than generous, including a 5-inch infotainment display, selectable driving modes and 15-inch steel wheels. The SEL has a 7-inch touch screen, plus 16-inch alloy wheels, smartphone integration and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. All new Elantras include Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile standard warranty covering virtually everything else.

The higher up the trim levels, the more equipment the 2020 Elantra enjoys. For example, the Value Edition comes with heated front seats, sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus remote start and lock/unlock functions. The Limited brings leather upholstery, two USB ports, automatic high beams, a few more luxury touches, an upgraded audio system and eligibility for an options bundle that includes navigation, 8-inch touch screen, adaptive cruise control, and driver’s-side memory settings. The Sport has the most powerful engine, 18-inch alloy wheels, flat-bottomed steering wheel, sport front seats and bigger brakes, plus the option of that fancier infotainment system.

Powering the 2020 Elantra SE, SEL, Value Edition and Limited variants is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit. This is linked to the new-for-2020 Intelligent Variable Transmission. The Eco version has a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with a stop/start function and is paired to a 7-speed automated transmission. This same transmission is also in the Sport and GT N Line models, but these are propelled by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. All versions are front-wheel drive and all run on regular gasoline, even the turbocharged engines.

1.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Eco)
128 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
156 lb-ft of torque @ 1,400-3,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 33/41 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4 (SE, SEL, Value Edition and Limited)
147 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
132 lb-ft of torque @ 4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: SE: 31/41 mpg; SEL, Limited and Value Edition: 30/40 mpg

2.0-liter inline-4 (GT)
161 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
150 lb-ft of torque @ 4,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/32 mpg

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 (Sport and GT N Line)
201 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
195 lb-ft of torque @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 26/33 mpg (Sport), 23/30 mpg (Manual GT N Line), 25/32 mpg (Automatic GT N Line)