The interior on my test vehicle, a Limited trim level model, felt more upscale than the interiors I’ve seen in most other compact cars. The leather seating was high-end for this price bracket, and it offered heated front seats for comfort. Most importantly, nothing in the vehicle feels cheap.
The moonroof is another classy option, and you get attractive 17-inch alloy wheels.
HOW’S THE RIDE?
The Elantra I tested featured a 2.0-liter, four cylinder engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Numbers were 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque.
I found the engine to be weak on the highway when you need to get up to speed or pass, but the Elantra maneuvers well in neighborhoods due to its light weight and agility.
If you are looking for more power, you can opt for an Elantra featuring a turbo-charged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that offers 201 hp and 195 lb.-ft.
The Elantra is a front-wheel drive vehicle only, with no AWD option.
Overall, the ride is comfortable, even with the base engine, and quite agile. The cabin is also well-insulated to keep out road noise.
TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY
The 2019 Elantra delivers a home run in the area of technology and safety features.
The updated infotainment system responds impressively to voice commands. And if you want to use your hands, the controls are easily accessible and well-organized.
The optional Navigation system was also user-friendly and worked perfectly. A rearview camera comes standard on all trim levels of the 2019 Elantra.
Wireless phone charging is an option, and the Elantra is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You can also opt for a powerful premium sound system from Infinity.
Safety features are standard on more trim levels for 2019, including Lane Keep Assist and Blind Spot Collision Warning. An optional Forward Collision Avoidance feature can detect pedestrians. These features are not always offered on compact sedans, so that’s a big win for the Elantra.
Most trim levels also get a drowsy driving monitoring system, which is a nice touch. Government safety ratings are strong overall, with the Elantra taking home mostly 4-star ratings (out of 5).
MPG
The official fuel mileage numbers on the 2019 Elantra are 28 city/37 highway/32 combined. I averaged about 28 during my time with the vehicle.
These numbers hold up very well in the segment, even against heavy hitters from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Mazda.
PRICE
My test vehicle, a loaded Limited model, came in just under $27,000; base price starts under $18K. These numbers are about level with most of the competition, so the price won’t be much of a decider in this segment. It’s all about what vehicle you like the most.
Another thing to consider when weighing cost is that you also get strong Hyundai warranties — including a 10-year, 100K powertrain warranty and a 5-year, 60K new vehicle warranty.
BOTTOM LINE
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra is not large, and it’s not that powerful (unless you opt for the turbo engine), but the Elantra hits its marks in technology, fuel economy and design.
All-in-all, I rank it as one of the better overall compact sedans available, especially when you reach the upper trim levels and see the type of luxurious touches that were unheard of in this level of sedan in the past.
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