A Week With: 2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV Limited

At the same time as politicians foist electrification on a populace principally unwilling to surrender their chariots powered by inner combustion engines, the hybrid electrical automobile (or HEV) makes for an ideal middleman step.

It by no means must be plugged in, and its battery pack by no means runs out of juice. But it surely does allow HEVs to return stellar gasoline financial system.

And whereas the ungainly little Prius reintroduced the century-old idea in trendy instances, the expertise makes a lot sense, one wonders why each gas-powered automobile isn’t a hybrid by now. Contemplate the 2023 Hyundai Elantra as exhibit A.

Overview

With a beginning worth of $20,500, and as a lot passenger house because the midsize Toyota Camry, the compact Hyundai Elantra is really a sedan that proves far too tempting to withstand. Provided with typical, excessive efficiency or hybrid drivelines, the Elantra provides a big selection of personalities. But it surely’s the hybrid electrical mannequin that proves ultimate, with sufficient efficiency to please most drivers and sufficient gasoline effectivity to make an oil firm government weep.

Choosing the hybrid’s base mannequin, dubbed Blue, means ponying up no less than $24,400. We had the possibility to pattern the Restricted, a completely loaded mannequin that begins at $29,000. Right here’s what we thought after every week behind the wheel — and no stops wanted for refueling after practically 300 miles.

Exterior

The Hyundai Elantra retains its distinctive chiseled look, one which stands aside in a discipline of ho-hum design. Like so many automobiles in the present day, the outside was chiseled to optimize aerodynamics. But designers have imbued its floor with a pleasant interaction amongst its numerous angles. Its facet sculpting initiatives rearward, accenting the sloping rear backlight lending the automobile a way of pace and motion. 

Inside

Climb inside and also you’ll discover the driving place is low, typical of compact sedans. However the cabin proves to be roomy each entrance and rear.

A big digital show consisting if the instrument cluster and multimedia system creates a decidedly horizontal orientation to the instrument panel structure. Controls are intuitive in design, and Hyundai has thoughtfully included a row of bodily shortcut buttons for the display’s numerous features, though they’re gradual to reply.

Whereas the Elantra’s cabin is fitted with the arduous plastic of the category, its attractively accented with a complicated mixture of textures and finishes that lend it an upscale enchantment, no less than on our Restricted take a look at automobile.

It was additionally filled with the entire goodies any hedonist would covet, like heated and ventilated entrance seats wi-fi gadget charging, twin automated local weather management and extra. And the controls have an costly dampened really feel, making for a convincing argument that you simply made a sensible buy. It’s very spectacular.

And when comes time to schlep stuff, you’ll discover 14.2 cubic toes of trunk house, though it lacks grocery bag hooks, which it ought to have at this worth.

Powertrain

Whereas most Elantras make do with a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine mated to a constantly variable automated transmission, the hybrid mates its 104-hp, 1.6-liter 4-cylinder to an electrical motor to generate 139 hp and 195 pound-feet of torque by way of a responsive 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Entrance-wheel drive is customary. The hybrid is fitted with an unbiased rear suspension, whereas lesser trims include a less-sophisticated torsion beam setup.

Security and Know-how

The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration charges the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Restricted HEV 5 stars in all of its crash exams. And whereas the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security hasn’t examined a 2023 mannequin, the 2022 Elantra sedan was designated a High Security Choose. 

As with different areas of the Elantra Restricted Hybrid, you’ll discover its customary listing of driver help programs to be very full. They embody Ahead Collision Avoidance Help, Sensible Cruise Management with Cease & Go, Blind-Spot Warning, Rear Cross-Visitors Alert, Lane Conserving Help, Lane Following Help, Driver Consideration Warning, Computerized Excessive Beam, Protected Exit Warning, Parking Help and Rear Occupant Alert.

On the subject of tech, our Restricted tester got here entrance USB ports, wi-fi gadget charging, navigation, XM Sirius Satellite tv for pc radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Driving Impressions

The Elantra Hybrid gives full of life acceleration, making it one of many sooner mainstream compacts, notably at pace. The twin clutch transmission performs swiftly and unobtrusively, making it superior to the CVT tranny utilized in different trims. Steering could be very gentle and free at low speeds, however nonetheless pretty exact.

Physique lean is properly managed at low speeds, however is clear as driving turns into extra aggressive, though it’s all the time manageable. Street noise is noticeable, however modest, at freeway pace, and bump absorption if okay, however not so good as within the Toyota Corolla. Nonetheless, there’s a sense of sophistication to its responses, be it driving or actuating switchgear.

Being that the hybrid weighs greater than its conventionally powered sibling, and has fewer ponies, it’s slower. However the hybrid could be very full of life and responsive at pace. Hyundai has but to imbue its hybrids with the sportiness it’s able to engineering. Though an Elantra N Hybrid could be superior, the Elantra Hybrid proves to be various to its conventionally powered siblings.

2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV Restricted Specs

Wrap Up

Spacious and gracious in its lodging, and frugal with gasoline, full of up to date tech and driver help security programs, the Elantra Hybrid makes for a wonderful alternative as a every day driver. No, it doesn’t ship the sportiness you would possibly want, no less than in Hybrid trim. However if you happen to’re prepared to give up gasoline financial system, and a few shekels, go for the Hyundai Elantra N as an alternative. In any other case, you’ll discover the Elantra to be a high-quality automotive servant.

2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV ­— Continuously Requested Questions