- The 2026 Elantra has more space than most rivals and plenty of tech
- Pricing starts at $23,870 | Price it your way
- On sale now | See Elantra models on sale near you
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that competes with similarly fuel-efficient and budget-friendly rivals like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3. It consistently stays near the top of our list of the Best Compact Cars. Hyundai hasn’t made many changes for 2026 — the sole update is a new mid-priced trim level called SEL Sport Premium, which includes a standard moonroof, heated front seats, and a few other niceties without the price tag of the highest trims.
Safety remains a critical component of the Elantra, thanks in part to a steering wheel that provides haptic feedback when you’re, say, drifting out of your lane. In addition to lane keeping assist, all Hyundai Elantra models boast blind spot monitoring and a rear cross traffic warning.
The Elantra is now available in five trims: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Sport Premium, Limited, and sportier N Line. All but the N Line come with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 147 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The N Line comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine putting out 201 hp.
For even more performance, there is the range-topping Elantra N. A seriously sporty model that blasts down the road courtesy of a punchy 276-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder, paired with either an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission, we review it separately. Hyundai also offers an Elantra Hybrid that gets over 50 mpg in EPA combined fuel economy. We love its driver interface, which turns getting the best possible fuel economy into a game.
Let’s take a look inside the 2026 Hyundai Elantra.
Passenger Room and Comfort
Although the Hyundai Elantra is a compact car, its interior measurements almost make it midsize. The sloping roofline affects rear headroom a bit, but most folks fit back there just fine.
With easy handling and a smooth ride, the Elantra is a relaxed and comfortable means of getting from Point A to Point B. While it doesn’t have quite the athleticism of competitors like the Honda Civic and Mazda3, it’s still more agile than many compact cars. Plus, its compact size is appreciated in crowded cities and tight parking lots. Higher-performing versions, such as the Elantra N Line and the Elantra N, are sprung noticeably firmer to match their higher-performance engines.
Features and Tech
Even though it starts below $24,000, the Elantra comes with many desirable standard features. This includes an 8-inch touchscreen (10.25 inches in the Limited, N-Line, and Elantra N models), wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, and two USB ports. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and they’re wireless on all models with an 8-inch screen.
A wireless charging pad and a digital gauge cluster are also available, and a Bose audio system is also offered starting with the Limited trim package.
The Elantra boasts a wide range of standard driver aids, some of which are extra-cost options on cars costing thousands more. These include blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, lane-keep assist, and safe-exit warning, to name a few.
Materials and Design
Hyundai has crafted a modern and classy cabin to match the Elantra’s bold exterior design. While there are some hard plastic trim pieces reminiscent of an economy car, the interior design is attractive. A lot of thought went into creating an inviting and user-friendly space. The manually adjustable front seats in the lower trims are perfectly fine and supportive for routine driving duty. Limited and N Line trims get power-adjustable driver’s seats.
Most people will likely spring for the better-equipped Elantra SEL Sport, which includes dual-zone climate control, push-button start, and the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen. If you opt for the top-of-the-line Limited, the highlights include genuine leather upholstery, the aforementioned power driver’s seat with lumbar support, ambient interior lighting, and a sunroof, all of which make the Elantra more upscale yet still affordable for most budgets.
Cargo Room and Flexibility
At 14.2 cubic feet in capacity, the Elantra’s trunk is about average for a compact sedan. For comparison, the Toyota Corolla has a 13.1 cubic foot trunk, while the Honda Civic sedan has 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space.
The Elantra’s rear seat can be folded to create added space. A 60/40 split-folding rear seatback — helpful when you need extra cargo room but somebody is sitting in the back seat — becomes standard in the SEL Sport Premium trim, but isn’t even available in the two lower trims.
Build and price your version of the Hyundai Elantra to see this week’s Fair Purchase Price. Browse Elantra models for sale near you.
