Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic

Compact cars aren’t nearly as popular as they once were, but there’s plenty of strong competition in the segment for shoppers looking for an affordable car that’s fuel efficient and comfortable for the daily commute. Two of the better options in the segment include the Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra. Both cars received a recent redesign and are strong value for the money. Choosing between these two vehicles can be difficult.

Here’s a brief look at some of the key differences and similarities between the two models. We’ll cover pricing, size, fuel economy, and performance before naming a winner. Whether you’re looking for an affordable commuter or a high-performance car to take to the track, we can help you find the model that’s right for you.

Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Elantra Price

The Hyundai Elantra has a major price advantage over the Honda Civic. Hyundai Elantra prices start at $21,545 (prices include destination), while Honda Civic prices start at $26,145. Even comparing the two high-performance models to one another reveals a massive difference in the Elantra’s favor.

The most expensive Hyundai Elantra is the Elantra N which costs $33,745, while the priciest Honda Civic available is the $44,390 Honda Civic Type R. That means that there’s a $4,600 difference between the Elantra and Civic at the low end of the range and a $10,645 different at the top end.

As the more affordable model, the Hyundai Elantra tends to be available with more affordable lease deals than the Honda Civic. The Elantra’s available lease deals tend to be competitive for the car’s starting price tag, while the Civic’s available lease deals can be slightly higher compared to its MSRP based on what model is being offered with the deal. Hyundai Elantra Deals tend to be rare, while Honda Civic deals are usually available to loyal shoppers.

Honda Civic. Vs Hyundai Elantra Size

Both compact sedans are similar in size. The Elantra is slightly larger than the Civic, as it’s nearly an inch longer and wider. The slightly larger size translates to 0.4 more cubic feet of passenger space. The Elantra offers more front and rear headroom, more rear legroom, and rear hip room than the Elantra. It’s not by a wide margin, but the Elantra will be more comfortable for passengers.

One area where the Civic has an edge over the Elantra is when it comes to cargo capacity. Honda offers the Civic in an available hatchback body style, while the Elantra is only available as a sedan. The Civic sedan has 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback has up to 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The Elantra sedan offers up to 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic Gas Mileage

Drivers looking for an efficient compact vehicle will find the Elantra to be a much better option than the Civic. Hyundai offers the standard Elantra with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that can get up to 37 mpg combined.

For even better fuel economy, there’s the Elantra Hybrid Blue which comes with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and an electric motor for a combined rating of up to 54 mpg combined. The most efficient Honda Civic comes with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that can get up to 36 mpg combined.

Honda doesn’t offer the Civic in a hybrid model, but a Civic Hybrid is reportedly set to arrive in the near future as a 2024 model. Until then, the Elantra is the clear winner for fuel economy.

Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Elantra Performance

Both Hyundai and Honda offer their respective compact cars in high-performance models. The sporty Elantra N comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 276 horsepower. The car has a zero-to-60-mph time of 5.1 seconds, which is quick for the class. The Elantra N can complete the quarter-mile run in 13.8 seconds. Hyundai offers the Elantra N with a six-speed manual transmission and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The Civic Type R returns for 2023 and comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that’s turned up to 315 hp. That’s a massive 39-hp difference for the Civic. The Type R can get to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.9 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 13.5 seconds. Thanks to sticky performance tires, the Type R can pull 1.02 g’s around a corner.

The Elantra N is a fantastic performance bargain that delivers output that’s close to the Civic Type R’s at a much more affordable price. For drivers that are looking for that extra tenth around at a track or something that feels like it was meant to be a sports car, the Civic Type R is the winner.

Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic: Which Is Better?

If outright performance isn’t something that you’re interested in, the Hyundai Elantra is the winner in this comparison. It’s roomier than the Honda Civic, costs a lot less than the Civic, and gets better fuel economy than the Civic, too. The Elantra N is a great performance upgrade for most drivers that aren’t interested in setting lap records when they visit the track.

The recently redesigned Honda Civic is a great option in the compact class. It has better performance than the Elantra, is available in a roomy hatchback body style with more cargo capacity than the Elantra sedan, and is available in the bonkers Type R that has the performance edge over the Elantra N. Its main downfalls are that it’s not available with a hybrid powertrain and that it costs $4,600 more than the Elantra.

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