2026 Hyundai Elantra

If you’re shopping for a compact sedan, the Elantra is an easy choice. It’s also one that offers a lot choice in both its trims and overall lineup. Among rivals that include the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Nissan Sentra, the Elantra has one of the lowest starting prices, yet boasts a better warranty than every rival except its corporate cousin the Kia K4, which has the same terms. Moreover, the Elantra touts innovative technology, fantastic design, and even performance variants like the peppy N Line and the track-ready Elantra N. If excellent fuel economy is your priority, check out the Hyundai 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 Hyundai Elantra receives only minimal updates for 2026. Gloss black 17-inch alloy wheels now come on the SEL Sport model, and the SEL Sport Premium trim joins the lineup, taking the place of the SEL Convenience trim. For the subset of drivers seeking the high-performance Elantra N, Hyundai is offering the limited-edition TCR edition.

The Hyundai Elantra is an excellent value in a segment that is already value-oriented. We think the SEL Sport trim – one up from base level – has strong features for the dollar. It includes a wireless phone charger, dual-zone climate control, 17-inch wheels, and proximity key with push-button start. The Limited trim, meanwhile, brings dual 10.25-inch screens, leather upholstery, Bose premium audio, adaptive cruise control, and customizable ambient interior lighting at a still-reasonable price of $28,420

For comparison, the Toyota Corolla starts around the same price as the Elantra. The Honda Civic and Mazda3 begin a bit higher, and the all-new Nissan Sentra starts a touch lower.

Before buying a new Hyundai Elantra, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The Hyundai Elantra’s resale value is typical for the segment. 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 adequate 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 there are select others who do seek spice in their commuter car. In a lovely surprise, Hyundai happens to offer two extra levels of heat. The Elantra N Line has a more rewarding 201-hp turbocharged engine that will put a smile on your face when you punch the gas. It’s just plain fun without going overboard. For an even 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. It’s also the only variant to offer a manual transmission.

Fuel Economy

The base engine in the 2026 Elantra delivers an estimated 35 mpg in combined city-and-highway driving (31 city/40 highway), a laudable figure for a non-hybrid. 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 fans of the Elantra’s interior. It’s roomy for its size and boasts some of the highest passenger volume in its class, 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 are on the tall side, good news: The Elantra offers 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 yes, 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 use constantly, such as audio volume, climate, and the like. There’s even an honest-to-goodness transmission lever instead of buttons or a dial. Hyundai designers must have gotten the memo that not everyone wants everything controlled by touch or having to access 10 sub-menus just to turn on the seat heater.

The Elantra’s trunk is fairly sizable, too. At 14.2 cubic feet, it’s smaller than the Honda Civic sedan’s and larger than the Toyota Corolla’s.

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 wireless smartphone connectivity, offering only wired connectivity.

Dual 10.25-inch displays

Higher trims add a digital driver information display and a larger infotainment touchscreen, creating a more tech-rich cabin.

Unbeatable warranty

We can’t talk about a new Hyundai without mentioning its warranty. The Elantra’s terms of five years/60,000 miles basic coverage and 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain are unbeatable.

N Line turbocharged engine

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