At the same time as politicians foist electrification on a populace principally unwilling to surrender their chariots powered by inside combustion engines, the hybrid electrical car (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. However it does allow HEVs to return stellar gasoline economic 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 value 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 standard, excessive efficiency or hybrid drivelines, the Elantra presents a big selection of personalities. However it’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 at the least $24,400. We had the possibility to pattern the Restricted, a totally loaded mannequin that begins at $29,000. Right here’s what we thought after per week behind the wheel — and no stops wanted for refueling after almost 300 miles.
Exterior
The Hyundai Elantra retains its distinctive chiseled look, one which stands aside in a subject of ho-hum design. Like so many vehicles immediately, the outside was chiseled to optimize aerodynamics. But designers have imbued its floor with a pleasant interaction amongst its varied angles. Its facet sculpting tasks rearward, accenting the sloping rear backlight lending the car 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 varied features, though they’re sluggish to reply.
Whereas the Elantra’s cabin is fitted with the onerous plastic of the category, its attractively accented with a classy mixture of textures and finishes that lend it an upscale enchantment, at the least on our Restricted take a look at car.
It was additionally filled with all the goodies any hedonist would covet, like heated and ventilated entrance seats wi-fi system 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 wise 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 value.
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 impartial 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 assessments. And whereas the Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security hasn’t examined a 2023 mannequin, the 2022 Elantra sedan was designated a High Security Decide.
As with different areas of the Elantra Restricted Hybrid, you’ll discover its customary listing of driver help programs to be very full. They embrace Ahead Collision Avoidance Help, Sensible Cruise Management with Cease & Go, Blind-Spot Warning, Rear Cross-Visitors Alert, Lane Protecting Help, Lane Following Help, Driver Consideration Warning, Automated 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 system charging, navigation, XM Sirius Satellite tv for pc radio, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Driving Impressions
The Elantra Hybrid gives energetic acceleration, making it one of many quicker 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 may be very mild and free at low speeds, however nonetheless pretty exact.
Physique lean is effectively 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 inferior to 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 may be very energetic and responsive at pace. Hyundai has but to imbue its hybrids with the sportiness it’s able to engineering. Though an Elantra N Hybrid can be superior, the Elantra Hybrid proves to be a very good 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 superb selection as a day by day driver. No, it doesn’t ship the sportiness you may need, at the least in Hybrid trim. However if you happen to’re prepared to give up gasoline economic 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 effective automotive servant.
2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV — Incessantly Requested Questions
Will there be a 2023 Hyundai Elantra hybrid?
Sure. It begins at $24,400 for the Blue mannequin and $29,000 for the Restricted trim.
How far can a Hyundai Elantra hybrid go?
It may possibly journey 550 miles on its 11-gallon gasoline tank, in response to the EPA.
How a lot does it price to switch a Hyundai hybrid battery?
Wherever from $2,000 to $8,000, in response to on-line Hyundai supplier stories.