2021 Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Sonata - Which Hyundai Sedan Meets Your Needs?
2021 Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Sonata - Which Hyundai Sedan Meets Your Needs?
Posted on February 22, 2021
Hyundai offers a very full model lineup, which can make it difficult to choose the right vehicle. Two similar yet different sedan options from Hyundai are the 2021 Elantra and the 2021 Sonata. Both are comfortable, well-appointed, and of good value. The Elantra is a sporty and bold compact sedan while the Sonata is a classy and understated midsize sedan.
Models
Completely redesigned for 2021, the Hyundai Elantra lived up to its promise and was named the 2021 North American Car of the Year. Starting at $17,899, the Elantra is offered in three different model configurations: Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate. Each offers great value with standard features on the base model ranging from heated front seats to wireless smartphone integration to an 8-inch touchscreen. The Elantra packs a lot of punch for a brand-new vehicle that costs less than $18,000.
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata is one year out from its complete redesign, and it also offers a ton of standard features on every model, most importantly driver-assist technologies. The Sonata is offered with a gasoline engine in four model configurations (Preferred, Sport, Luxury, and Ultimate), starting at $27,149.
The Sonata is also available in a hybrid version, which starts at $40,199 for the Ultimate model featuring a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12.3-inch fully digital display instrument cluster, sunroof, and more.
Performance
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata is built with a standard 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with Drive Mode Select to maximize fuel efficiency and adjust to road and driving conditions. It provides 8.8 L/100km city and 6.4 L/100km highway fuel economy, rivalling many compact sedan numbers. The Sonata does offer an upgraded 1.6-litre turbo engine that delivers 180 horsepower and a composed and responsive ride.
As a compact sedan, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra realizes excellent fuel economy--9.1 L/100km in the city and 6.3 L/100km on the highway. It is powered by a 147-hp four-cylinder engine that offers pep for both highway and city driving, as well as good ride quality.
Technology and Safety
On the base models, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra and Sonata share many similar features--an 8-inch touchscreen, heated seats, smartphone integration, Bluetooth, LED daytime running lights, heated and power-adjustable side mirrors, and more.
However, the Sonata is a larger and more expensive vehicle, which means it includes extra features for the additional $9,000 drivers pay to purchase it over the Elantra. While it features more interior comfort, such as a heated steering wheel, the real bright spot is the additional safety systems. The Sonata comes with a blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning, driver attention warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and much more.
2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Hyundai Sonata
Both the 2021 Hyundai Elantra and 2021 Hyundai Sonata have a place in Hyundai's lineup for specific types of drivers. The Elantra offers great value and a fun car at an unbelievable price. The Sonata offers more technology, safety, and space but at a price that is almost $10,000 higher. Drivers cannot go wrong with either option.