A Week With: 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited

A Week With: 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Time Stamp: April 18, 2023 5:53 PM
Source Node: 2593259

Any number of carmakers have given up on sedans in recent years as manufacturers increase the number of utility vehicles, they sell across different market segments. 

2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 1
Hyundai’s 2023 Elantra Limited offers plenty of style, comfort and technology with a low sticker price.

But a few global manufacturers still believe there are ways of profiting from traditional passenger cars even as the market for new vehicles is increasingly dominated by pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles. 

Overview

Hyundai, the South Korean automaker, is one of the manufacturers, which has indicated it is not giving up on the passenger car just yet and is keeping an array of comfortable sedans in its product portfolio.

The company’s compact 2023 Elantra Limited is a case in point. It is a trim sedan, carrying a modest price tag that is stylish, comfortable and surprisingly well-equipped considering its modest price. The Elantra also avoids appearing cheap. Instead, it goes in the opposite direction and seems rather luxurious, even compared to well-regarded competitors such as the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla.

Exterior

2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 5
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra’s rear styling imparts a sense of movement and speed.

In today’s traffic, a compact sedan such as 2023 Elantra can look dated because it is built relatively close to the ground and lacks the height of the taller trucks and SUVs around it out on the road. But the Elantra’s design, with its aggressive front fascia, long hood, laid-back windshield, sloping roofline and sleek sheet metal, gives the vehicle a sculpted feel. 

This look separates it from the bolted together appearance of most vehicles placed under showroom lights today. The Elantra’s low-slung stance also is set off by the elegant light fixtures and artfully designed wheels, which enhance the visual appeal of the overall design. It also has a sunroof to bring natural light into the interior.

Interior

One of the Elantra’s strengths is its well-designed cabin, which tilts the center stack towards the driver to bring it within easy reach and gives the entire cockpit a more driver-centric feel. At the same time, the interior is relatively spacious, considering its regarded as a compact car, while the technology, including advance features such as voice recognition and wireless charging, are nicely integrated and easily accessible.

2023 Hyundai Elantra Ltd side driving REL
The Elantra’s low-slung stance also is set off by the elegant light fixtures and artfully designed wheels.

The ambience inside the cabin is surprisingly luxurious and there is space for tucking away things like sunglasses and phones. Visibility from the driver’s seat is also very good, despite the car’s low stance on the road.

Powertrain

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, which is matched to an intelligent variable, automatic transmission, with a front-wheel-drive layout. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited a combined fuel economy rating of 34 mpg, including 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. 

Safety and Technology

The Elantra comes with a full array of airbags for protection in frontal and side-impact collisions. But it also comes with more advanced features such as forward collision avoidance assistance, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping, and lane-following assistance. 

2023 Hyundai Elantra Ltd interior REL
One of the Elantra’s strengths is its well-designed cabin, which tilts the center stack towards the driver.

Additionally, parking-distance warning and parking-collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert and smart cruise control are available. The Elantra is equipped with voice recognition, navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch high-resolution touchscreen and a power driver’s seat and rear-view camera. 

Driving Impressions

The 2023 Elantra Limited packs a lot of punch. The car’s relatively light weight, under 2,700 pounds, means the 141-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine gives a favorable power-to-weight ratio, giving the car a solid performance out on the highway as well as from a standing start. 

The Elantra’s overall performance is given a boost by the well-tuned CVT transmission, which always seem to be in the right position when the car needs to accelerate or needs power up a hill or around a curve or corner. The steering is responsive, and the brakes are solid, so the overall driving dynamics are quite good, and they benefit from the four-wheel, independent suspension underneath the car. 

2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited Specifications

DimensionsL: 184.1 inches/W: 62.2 inches/H: 55.7 inches/Wheelbase: 107.1 inches
Weight2,688 pounds
Powertrain2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive
Fuel Economy30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined
Performance Specs147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque
PriceBase price: $26,680; As tested: $28,055 including $1,095 destination charge.
On-Sale DateAvailable now

Wrap Up

The combination of a modest price and a long list of features, including safety equipment and connectivity, make the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited an impressive value. Certainly, it does not have the room or versatility of some of the crossovers now on the market, but the car’s sleek good looks, longer wheelbase, and relatively modest price tag are very attractive.

The lightweight powertrain is very fuel efficient, getting an impressive 40 mpg on the highway, and makes it quite competitive with some pricier hybrid models now available one the market. The is a perfect vehicle for anyone who thinks the whole idea of buying, owning, and driving a car is a big drag.

2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited ­— Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Hyundai Elantra a small or midsize car?

Compact sedans such as the 2024 Elantra are widely viewed as basic transportation — great for first-time car buyers, fuel-efficient, and easy to park in tight spots — but the Hyundai also brings a ton of style and a whole lot of value.

Which is bigger Elantra or Camry?

The Hyundai Elantra offers rear passengers about the same space to stretch out as the Toyota Camry with comparable rear head- and legroom in both vehicles. The Hyundai Elantra will be a favorite with taller drivers due to its greater front head- and legroom than the Toyota Camry.

Which car is bigger Elantra or Sonata?

The main difference between the Hyundai Elantra and the Sonata is that they are in a different class of sedan. The Elantra is considered a compact vehicle, and in terms of wheelbase, cargo volume, and size, it’s smaller than the Sonata. With the Sonata, you’re afforded some more room with a slightly bigger frame.

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