The compact Elantra has been in production for 35 years, although its first decade was spent outside the U.S. market. When we got our first Elantra in 2000, it was the third generation of the model. Fast forward to 2025, and we are now in the Elantra’s seventh generation, which launched in 2021. We just spent a week with the top trim Limited version, so let’s see what’s what.
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Overview
Hyundai provides a cheeky summary of each trim level, as shown below. I like how they position the base model as the “one with the best MPG,” rather than simply as “the cheapest.” Speaking of prices, you’ll spend around $25,500 for the Blue, just over $27,400 for the SEL Sport, and $29,800 for our top-spec Limited trim.
As is typical for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, selecting the top trim provides you with nearly everything available. This means our test car has only some added floor mats.
So, you’re out the door at just over $31,800. The latest Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid (the top spec) starts at $31,950, so the Hyundai is already looking like a pretty solid option in the segment.
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Inside & Out
As I cycle through a new vehicle to review each week, I’ve started to notice some trends in automotive design. Overall, the Elantra features sharp lines that stand out in a crowd. That’s good. The downside is that the Elantra falls into one of the most common traps: “overdesign.” That’s where the designer(s) reach a point where they should put down the pen, but they don’t.
The intersection of creases and lines from various angles is visually engaging. However, when you start incorporating details such as lights, mirrors, and wheels—each adding their own creases and lines—it can become overwhelming. Still, in a sea of jellybean-shaped crossovers, the Elantra offers a refreshing change of pace.
Inside, the Elantra makes a fantastic first impression with its modern cabin and high-quality materials. I really appreciate the shape and size of the steering wheel, which has two small, flat, blade-like spokes on either side where you can rest your hands if you want to adjust your driving position.
The seats are comfortable and feature synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way adjustability, and both heating and ventilation. I appreciate how Hyundai provides various levels of automatic climate control. Sometimes, I prefer a specific temperature but don’t like the fan speed, so this feature allows you to set it and forget it.
From a tech perspective, the dual 10.25″ displays (infotainment + digital cluster) dominate the dashboard while appearing relatively well-integrated. The backup camera provides a clear view and effectively illuminates your path in a dark parking garage. I experienced some difficulty getting Apple CarPlay to sync wirelessly, and even when I connected it directly via USB-C, it took some time to appear on the screen. However, once it was set up, it functioned well.
Other than that, the issues were minor. At one point, I said “yes” to a system update, which pops up as soon as you start the vehicle. My Alfa Romeo Stelvio used to perform OTA updates like this, but they were quick, taking only 30 seconds at most. So I figured it would be the same.
Unfortunately, it turned off the reverse camera, so I had to rely on the old-fashioned method. I drove in silence for a while, and after about 20 minutes with half of the progress bar complete, it restarted the system and then said it was “restoring data.” After the restart, it noted that “media is off,” but I didn’t have the option to turn it on. After one more restart, it was fully functional again. The total elapsed time was 23 minutes. Easy fix: don’t do a system update in your Elantra if you’re about to go for a drive.
The interior space is well laid out, featuring nice little spots for your items. The cupholders are quite deep, making them great for a water bottle (or a bottle of bourbon, don’t drink and drive), but they aren’t ideal for a soda can. You have to use your fingertips to reach down and retrieve it, which can be frustrating while driving.
The Elantra provides 38 inches of rear legroom, which is quite impressive and about half an inch more than the Civic Hybrid. Additionally, it offers 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space, approximately 0.6 cubic feet less than the Civic.
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid On the Road
The Elantra Hybrid features a 1.6 L inline 4-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, generating a combined output of 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Although it has a relatively light curb weight (for a modern hybrid) of 3,069 pounds, it isn’t exactly quick. It’s likely sufficiently peppy for most buyers, and Sport mode seems to provide a little more power, though it may merely increase the revs slightly when you push the button.
Elantra buyers primarily focus on the miles per gallon rating rather than the 0-60 time. It’s impressive, boasting an EPA estimated 49 mpg in the city, 52 mpg on the highway, and 50 mpg combined. During my week-long review, the Elantra achieved an average of 39.1 mpg (according to the onboard computer) and had over 500 miles of range on a full tank.
I love that Hyundai includes most of its driver aids as standard, and the Elantra has quite a few. However, one morning, one of the sensors was covered in dew, which resulted in three to four alerts on the dashboard informing me about the inactive systems. It’s nice to know, but somewhat distracting, and at one point, I received a notification that the camera, which checks whether the driver is paying attention, was obstructed…
Summary
I encountered a few foibles during an otherwise excellent experience with the 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited. Priced at $30,000, it’s not cheap, but it compares favorably to other competitors in terms of pricing and packaging. It’s comfortable, packed with standard features, and boasts impressive miles per gallon ratings. If you’re in the market for a commuter car, the Elantra should be on your list.