The Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic are compact sedans that provide enormous value and great fuel economy. Each is relaxing to drive but with sharp handling reflexes that help them thrive in heavy urban traffic.
The Elantra received a significant style and technology refresh for 2024, and Hyundai has seen little need to update it further for 2025. Honda gave the Civic a major styling refresh for 2025, perhaps to try to catch up. Honda also launched the Civic Hybrid, which is reviewed separately, same as the Elantra Hybrid.
Let’s explore some of the highlights of the 2025 Hyundai Elantra and the 2025 Honda Civic.
2025 Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra sedan is available in five flavors: SE, SEL, Limited, N-Line, and N. Starting at $23,370 (including a $1,245 destination charge), the SE features a standard 8-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, and many standard safety items like safe exit warning and blind-spot monitors. This generation of the Elantra made its debut in the 2022 model year. Hyundai also offers the Elantra Hybrid, which earns up to 56 mpg on the highway, and a high-performance Elantra N.
Hyundai Elantra Highlights
Sporty N-Line and N models: Most Elantra shoppers will be perfectly happy with the standard 4-cylinder engine, but Hyundai does offer upgrades. The turbocharged 1.6-liter with 201 horsepower in the Elantra N-Line delivers much peppier acceleration. And the Elantra N, a total sleeper, is a serious sport sedan motivated by a 276-hp turbo 4-cylinder engine that zips it to 60 mph in about 5 seconds. It’s ready for the track, and it’s the only Elantra available with a 6-speed manual transmission. But all this performance does come at a price: $35,595.
Head-turning exterior: Love it or leave it, you won’t be able to ignore the sharply creased exterior of the Elantra. The bold shape is a far cry from the dullsville designs of most economy sedans. Narrow headlights, a slim front grille, and vibrant alloy wheel designs make it look more fashionable than most rivals. While the Honda Civic has a handsome design, it fades into the background when compared to the Elantra.
Pricing and warranty coverage: If you want added peace of mind with your compact sedan, the Elantra makes complete sense. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which is complemented by an outstanding 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. This eclipses what you get with the Civic, not to mention other competing models like the Volkswagen Jetta and Nissan Sentra.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Elantra models for sale near you.
2025 Honda Civic
The Honda Civic, long one of our favorite small cars, comes highly recommended. It is enjoyable to drive, easy on fuel, and available as a sedan or hatchback. Starting at $25,445 (including $1,195 for delivery), the base Civic comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and automatic climate control.
Honda Civic Highlights
Steering feel and agility: The Civic feels light on its feet, so to speak, thanks to quick and nicely balanced steering. Thankfully, this agility doesn’t come at the expense of ride comfort. If lengthy road trips are on the agenda, the Civic will satisfy.
Two body styles: An ace up the Civic’s sleeve: You can get one with a sedan or a hatchback body. Should cargo space be a priority, get the 5-door hatchback. Yes, it costs slightly more than the sedan, but that 24.5 cubic feet of trunk volume it has behind the folding back seat makes the Civic hatchback extremely practical.
Sporty Civic Si and Type R: The Elantra isn’t the only compact sedan here with a wild side. Starting at $31,445, the Civic Si features a 200-hp turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and comes exclusively with a 6-speed manual transmission. For sheer speed, though, it’s tough to beat the Civic Type-R. With a taut, hunkered-down suspension, the Type-R is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder with 315 hp. The only gearbox is a 6-speed manual with short and precise throws. An asking price of about $47,090 only sounds crazy until you get behind the wheel of the Type R.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Civic models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Elantra and Civic have so much in common. Each has a value-minded base powertrain to keep the asking price and fuel bills low. Headroom and legroom front and rear are nearly identical in each sedan. And for those who want to get seriously racy, the Elantra N and Civic Type R deliver the goods with genuinely track-ready performance. For more practical, fuel-conscious shoppers, there are thrifty hybrid options.
Pricing
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Hyundai Elantra vehicles and New 2025 Honda Civic vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Hyundai Elantra | 2025 Honda Civic | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 147 hp @ 6,200 rpm | 150 hp @ 6,400 rpm |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm | 133 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, IVT | Automatic, CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 32 city/41 highway/36 combined mpg | 31 city/39 highway/34 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 inches | 107.7 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.4 inches | 184.8 inches |
| Width | 71.9 inches | 70.9 inches |
| Height | 55.7 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 17.7 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.6 inches | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.3 inches | 37.1 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 38.0 inches | 37.4 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.5 inches | 57.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 55.6 inches | 56.0 inches |
| Cargo capacity | 14.2 cubic feet | 14.8 cubic feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
Conclusion
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra scores points in this comparison for having a lower base price, for its class-leading warranty coverage, and for its extroverted exterior design. Its standard engine gets the job done, and the two optional turbocharged 4-cylinders are there for those who need to get away more swiftly when the traffic light turns green.
The same holds true for the 2025 Honda Civic, thanks to the potent and fun Si and Type R variants. Whether you prefer the sedan or hatchback, the regular-brew Civic is a savvy choice and will provide many miles of trouble-free driving.
In this Hyundai versus Honda battle of remarkably similar compact sedans, there’s no wrong answer. The Honda Civic is a household name and is available as a practical hatchback, while the Hyundai Elantra has a lower starting price and touts a class-leading warranty. Both models are available in a variety of variants. Your priorities will lead you to the right answer.
