Table of Contents
- 2022 Hyundai Elantra Driving Experience
- fuel economy and performance
- 2022 Hyundai Elantra safety
- Cargo, Comfort, inside and Interior
- infotainment system and technology
- Cost and Choosing Which to Purchase
- 2022 Hyundai Elantra Pricing
summary
Hyundai first released the Elantra, one of its most enduring model names, in 1992. Hyundai’s tiny car, which was still very competitive, was replaced by the seventh generation last year. Instead of abandoning this declining market, Hyundai is extending the Elantra line until 2022. Hyundai has accompanied the Elantra Hybrid with the hot Elantra N-Line and the even hotter Elantra N, both of which come with manual gearboxes. The Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic are rivals of the Elantra.
Other than the inclusion of the Elantra N, the Elantra will remain unchanged for the 2022 model year. With over 275 horsepower, this sedan competes with the Volkswagen Jetta GLI and Honda Civic Si.
2022 Hyundai Elantra Driving Experience
We discovered during a First Drive of the new Elantra that the chassis dynamics were far better than those of the previous model. The N-Line model we drove, which remained composed despite road imperfections, was the most obvious example of this. The expanded interior capacity, which provided ample space for individuals taller than usual in the backseat, was also outstanding. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower provides respectable power, and the CVT’s clever programming impressed us.
The quality of several interior materials was not particularly outstanding. Hard, inferior plastics cover the dash and door panels, which seem out of place in the otherwise luxurious cabin. Hyundai rarely makes a mistake like this, especially considering the stunning interior of the obviously far more costly Palisade. For a car that’s perfect for ride-share drivers, the absence of rear USB ports also seems like a mistake.
The Elantra is a significant advancement in spite of these minor blunders. In a comparison test, the Honda Civic outperformed the Elantra, but the Civic prevailed due to its excellent safety ratings, nimble handling, and attractive interior. However, Hyundai has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver value for money, and the elegant Elantra stands as one of the most competitive models in this market, offering a range of well-equipped models starting at less than $26,000.
fuel economy and performance
The 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb (ca. 60 kg)-ft of torque is standard on the Elantra SE, SEL, and Limited trim levels. A continuously variable transmission, the only available gearbox, powers the front wheels. SEL and Limited models return 31/41 mpg, while SE vehicles get 33/43 mpg in the city/highway. The Elantra Hybrid offers even more fuel efficiency.
The 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 engine in Elantra N-Line models generates 201 horsepower and 195 lb (ca. 88 kg)-ft of torque. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gets 28/36 mpg, while the six-speed manual gets 25/34 mpg.
The 2.0-liter I-4 engine of the high-performance Elantra N produces 276 horsepower and 289 lb (0.13 t)-ft of torque, which is transmitted to the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic or six-speed manual gearbox. We were thrilled by the 2022 Elantra N during our test drive; it’s an excellent small sports car. An automatic-equipped Elantra N barely outperformed the most recent Honda Civic Type R in our tests, reaching 60 mph (ca. 97 km/h) in 5.1 seconds.
2022 Hyundai Elantra safety
For limited variants with LED headlights, the IIHS recommended the Elantra as a 2022 Top Safety Pick. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Elantra a five-star overall rating, placing it among the safest small sedans available today.
Forward collision warning, pedestrian recognition, front automated emergency braking, lane keeping assistance with centering function, driver attention alert, and automatic high beams are all part of the 2022 Elantra’s standard SmartSense safety suite. Highway driving assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automated emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring are available on higher trim levels.
Cargo, Comfort, inside and Interior
With its ingenious interior packaging, the Elantra maximizes its categorization as a compact sedan. Both front-seat and rear-seat passengers will find plenty of legroom, and taller passengers will also have adequate headroom despite the swoopy roofline. For a small car, the rear trunk room is also somewhat larger.
Space for cargo:
- 14.2 cubic feet (0.4 m³) for the 2022 Hyundai Elantra
- Honda Civic 2022: 14.8 cubic ft (0.42 m³)
- Mazda3 2022: 13.2 cubic feet (0.37 m³)
- 13.1 cubic feet (0.37 m³) of 2022 Toyota Corolla space
Front and rear seat legroom:
- Hyundai Elantra 2022: 42.3/38.0 in.
- Honda Civic 2022: 42.3/37.4 in.
- Mazda Mazda3 2022: 42.3/35.1 in.
- Toyota Corolla 2022: 42.0/34.8 in.
infotainment system and technology
The standard 2021 Hyundai Elantra has an 8.0-inch touchscreen that supports Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. Limited edition vehicles come with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen. It’s interesting to note that the Limited grade only has wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The 2022 Elantra will also have the digital key feature, which lets you open the car with a near field communications (NFC) key card or your smartphone (now only available on Android).
Cost and Choosing Which to Purchase
The base SE trim of the 2022 Elantra costs over $20,600, while the top-tier Limited trim costs nearly $26,500. The SEL trim, our top choice, falls midway in the middle. The Elantra SEL, which starts at less than $22,000, features alloy wheels rather than the standard steelies and stylish, contemporary interior upholstery materials. Keyless entry with push-button start, a six-speaker audio system, dual-zone automatic climate control, and an optional 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster are among the new technological and practical features. Although selecting the SEL trim lowers fuel efficiency when compared to the SE trim, we believe it is worthwhile because the 2022 Elantra SEL offers excellent value.
2022 Hyundai Elantra Pricing
| Trim | Price |
| SE Sedan | $20,200 |
| SE w/SULEV Sedan | $20,200 |
| SEL Sedan | $21,450 |
| SEL w/SULEV Sedan | $21,450 |
| N Line (Manual) Sedan | $24,350 |
| N Line (Auto) Sedan | $25,700 |
| Limited Sedan | $25,950 |
| Limited w/SULEV Sedan | $25,950 |
| N (Manual) Sedan | $32,150 |
| N (Auto) Sedan | $33,650 |
The Good:
✅ Sharper Handling – The new Elantra’s chassis is a significant improvement over its predecessor, especially in the N-Line model, which stays composed over rough roads.
✅ Spacious Interior – Tall passengers will appreciate the generous rear legroom, a rarity in this segment.
✅ Efficient Powertrains – The base 2.0L engine (147 hp) and available 1.6L turbo (201 hp) deliver solid fuel economy, while the Elantra N offers thrilling performance.
✅ Strong Safety Ratings – A Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a 5-star NHTSA rating make it one of the safest compact sedans.
The Not-So-Good:
❌ Cheap Interior Plastics – Some hard, low-grade materials on the dash and doors feel out of place in an otherwise well-equipped cabin.
❌ No Rear USB Ports – A surprising omission for a car that would be ideal for ride-share drivers.
❌ CVT-Only on Base Models – While well-tuned, the lack of a traditional automatic might turn off some buyers.
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