2023 Hyundai Elantra Performance

While it may look the part of a sporty sedan, the Elantra is more of a steady and reliable commuter. If you are looking for speed, the Elantra N, reviewed separately, may be more to your liking. That said, the gas and hybrid variants of the regular sedan are no slouches. The 2.0L four-pot under the hood of the SE, SEL, and Limited is good for getting around town, developing a modest 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The N Line uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft for the quickest and most sustained acceleration if you don't want to spend the kind of money the Elantra N asks for. It no longer offers a manual gearbox, however. When rushed, the N Line can complete the 0-60 run in under seven seconds based on independent testing. The hybrid uses the 1.6L and combines it with an electric motor for a total of 139 hp - but the motor does give it some instantaneous torque that makes it feel peppy. Hyundai doesn't provide 0-60 mph sprint times, and there are no alternatives to the front-wheel drivetrain, which is a staple throughout the range.

The three non-sport-biased models in the Elantra line - the SE, SEL, and Limited - each make use of a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. It favors fuel economy over performance, developing a mere 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. It is perfectly fine for getting around town but struggles with overtaking or merging on the highway if you don't allow enough planning time. This powertrain can only be paired with an intelligent variable transmission (IVT).

The N Line steps things up a little with its 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot, which thrums with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. It is still far from being a sports sedan, but it emulates one well enough at the price point. Nevertheless, driver engagement is clearly the focus here, but sadly, the six-speed manual box from 2022 is not available for 2023. If you don't mind sacrificing the hands-on approach to optimize efficiency, then a seven-speed dual-clutch auto is available.

True efficiency and economy are achieved by the hybrid models, though. Relying on a combination of a 1.6-liter inline-four and an electric motor, these sedans have a combined 139 hp at their disposal with 109 lb-ft provided by the engine and 125 lb-ft by the electric motor. Far from being a spirited driver, the hybrid is still great around town where the low-down instantaneous torque delivery makes stop-and-go traffic a breeze. Oddly enough, this hybrid powertrain comes mated to a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Even in its gasoline-powered guise, the Elantra is a frugal cruiser, returning a respectable 31/41/35 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles, or 33/43/37 mpg on the SE with stop/start. The turbo engine in the N Line is not quite so thrifty, managing 28/36/31 mpg with the auto gearbox - last year's manual managed just 25/34/28 mpg.

Unsurprisingly, the hybrid powertrain takes the cake, boasting an impressive 53/56/54 mpg in Blue trim and 49/52/50 mpg in Limited guise. The hybrids receive an 11-gallon tank, so the Blue's range maxes out at 594 miles. The gas versions get a larger 12.4-gallon tank with the 2.0L four-pot delivering a maximum range of nearly 460 miles, and the 1.6L turbo managing up to 384 miles.