Wanna ride shotgun with the GRM crew?
Welcome to this week’s test vehicle, a 2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV Limited. Call it the non-N version of personal favorite here at GRM HQ.
Sticker price is $29,150, putting it about $2000 above the Elantra N Line.
Questions? Comments? Welcome to the thread.
Forget your SUV, CUV, SAV or whatever term they’re using today. This is really the chassis that most people should be driving. It’s easy to get in and out of. It’s roomy inside. You can see out of it. It’s not saddled with heavy, 20-inch wheels.
Need a bit more utility? Fine, offer it in a wagon as well.
I know, it’s like I’m asking to turn the clock back a few decades. And I’m fine with that.
(PS: Get off my lawn.)
I know "appliance cars" are supposed to be a bad thing, but this Elantra checks a lot of boxes for someone who commutes.
Had to google it - 139hp, 6spd DCT hybrid 52mpg Hwy. You know what I didnt see in my google search... lap time at the FIRM. Hyundai will understand...do it.
Seriously... is it faster than the 2020 prius?
I'd have a hard time chosing this over a new Prius LE for about the same money
calteg said:I'd have a hard time chosing this over a new Prius LE for about the same money
Curious to hear the staff's feedback, but the Prius EV/ICE integration is wayyyyyyy better than a Kia Niro for example, which has a similar (or the same?) drivetrain to the Elantra HEV. My first gen Prius was significantly better than a relatively modern Niro (2020?). The Niro is clunky and feels like its trying to juggle the different powersources, which is the nature of connecting them to a DCT vs. the Prius "synergy drive"
I'd like to see a comparison of the Elantra to the 2023 Prius, which starts $2000 cheaper, has more power, gets better mileage, and is a hatchback.
First impressions–basically driving it to the photo spot and back–had me wondering if it really was a hybrid. (I had to check the badge on the trunk lid.)
More to come.
Sticker price is $29,150, putting it about $2000 above the Elantra N Line.
Plus $1,115 destination = $30,265
Staying with the appliance theme, I see there is a more base model Elantra Hybrid, named Blue model, that can be had for $26,665 with destination (w/D)
A stripped Prius retails for $28,685 w/D
A loaded Prius (but not awd) is $35,700 and can be optioned to $37,335 w/D
Awd add $1,400 or $37,100 and $38,735 w/D
Drove it to Orlando and back today, so an hour each way. Mostly highway but some city.
Excellent visibility all around, not much wind noise, and very traditional controls: old-school shifter, knobs and buttons, etc. No issues connecting via CarPlay.
No shuddering or really anything when transitioning between power sources. It’s rather smooth there. Not quick but acceptable.
A touch more bottom cushion would be nice but not a deal-breaker. Ample back support.
Still wish the door Elantra’s door caps felt a touch softer.
Huge front door openings with low sills make entry super easy. Mobility-challenged shopper? This could be the one–then add in the traditional controls.
This isn’t your alternative to the Elantra N–not nearly the power, the snap, the chassis–but it does go down the road more or less like a Prius in that it’s a similar appliance. Maybe this is the more traditional take on the Prius.
Oh, and some pics.
Street parking to visit the camera store. (Free plug for Kiwi Camera Service in Orlando.)
Followed by lunch. (My first choice was totally packed and moving slowly so I bailed and went with Old Reliable.)
Have you been tracking fuel economy? mid-40s or better would make this a real Prius-fighter, which is something the Prius hasn't had for a while.
I haven’t put gas in it but will report back.
JG Pasterjak said:Have you been tracking fuel economy? mid-40s or better would make this a real Prius-fighter, which is something the Prius hasn't had for a while.
What are the aspects that would make one consider this over a Prius?
Mileage looks comparable on paper (Prius does slightly better in town), so I doubt it would sway anyone
In reply to ProDarwin :
I think the Hyundai is a bit more traditional regarding aesthetics and function. It doesn’t look like it’s from the future while, for example, the shift lever is straight out of 1986. I could see that appealing to some people.
I saw "HEV" and thought it was going to be a hydrogen fuel cell EV.
David S. Wallens said:In reply to ProDarwin :
I think the Hyundai is a bit more traditional regarding aesthetics and function. It doesn’t look like it’s from the future while, for example, the shift lever is straight out of 1986. I could see that appealing to some people.
Odd, I thought with Hyundai and Toyota's recent direction, Toyota was actual the more "traditional" option. Guess that just proves I am as out of touch with styling as always :)
What do you think about it from a value for equipment perspective vs. an N-Line for someone who is less concerned about about the extra fun of the N-Line? I've been wondering one of these Elantras would be a good future car for my wife.
And do you have an opinion of the N line?
This is pretty much Orlando and back with some driving in Orlando. No cruise. No Sport mode. Traffic was moving briskly on I-4 as it was a Sunday.
The car says 43.3 mpg. My math after filling up says 40 mpg. (I stopped filling after the dispenser’s first “click.”)
One thing you gotta do when driving this car: engage the Sport mode. (Button is by the shifter, kinda.)
Totally transforms the car: crisper shifts, sharper steering. I swear it gave it more power, too. (Okay, maybe that’s in my head.)
But, seriously, totally wakes up the car. Once in Sport mode, I now wish for a little more bottom seat bolstering and a little more tire.
You might have noticed that our test car had a bit of mileage–like north of 17,000 miles. Still, though, the piano black trim by the shifter looked good.
The photo shows a few small scratches. I couldn’t see them with my eye and am just noticing them now. (Might be lint or dog hair, too.)
On the Subaru Impreza, the scratches were hard to miss. I’d say that the Elantra’s piano black trim is aging much better.
David S. Wallens said:This is pretty much Orlando and back with some driving in Orlando. No cruise. No Sport mode. Traffic was moving briskly on I-4 as it was a Sunday.
The car says 43.3 mpg. My math after filling up says 40 mpg. (I stopped filling after the dispenser’s first “click.”)
Pretty solid for a car that wasn't designed ground-up as a hybrid I suppose.
Now I'm dying to drive new Prius, though.
And I liked driving it. Like, if I had to swing by, pick you up, and then head to L.A., I could do it in this car and be happy.
Is it as thrilling as the N? Not exactly.
But it’s quiet and comfortable. It’s the right size and shape. The controls make sense.
It just hit me: This is like a new version of the Maximas that I grew up with.
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