2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan category, thanks to its bold and distinctive design. It embraced Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, featuring sharp creases and dramatic angles that gave it a unique and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to help the Elantra stand out and break conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra was available in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with a hybrid powertrain option for the SEL and Limited. The interior of the Elantra, especially in the Limited or Hybrid Limited trims, offered a modern and upscale look with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements, creating a pleasant driving environment.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carried over its bold design from the previous model year, standing out even in a market embracing aggressive styling. While some might have found its catfish-like styling off-putting, it was undeniably eye-catching. The Sonata Hybrid’s exterior featured neat details like an integrated deck-lid spoiler and aerodynamic strakes in the taillights. Inside, the cabin was more conventional and refined, with plenty of soft-touch surfaces and a modern, haptic bezel surrounding the vivid touchscreen infotainment system. The seats were comfortable and supportive, making it suitable for long trips, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, each catering to different driving preferences. The standard Elantra SEL was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. It delivered a decent performance for city driving but felt underpowered for highway merging. The Elantra Limited Hybrid combined a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, producing 139 horsepower. It offered better fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 50 mpg in combined driving, although real-world conditions like mountainous terrain could affect this figure. The Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine generating 201 horsepower, provided a sportier driving experience, while the high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 276 horsepower, delivered exhilarating performance and handling.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, on the other hand, featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, producing a total of 192 horsepower. It offered solid pickup and was quick off the line, with a six-speed automatic transmission providing smooth shifts. The Sonata Hybrid’s driving dynamics were refined, with light but precise steering and minimal body roll in turns. The brakes delivered solid stopping power with a soft, refined pedal feel. The Sonata Hybrid also featured a solar panel roof, adding about two miles per day to the driving range, enhancing its eco-friendly appeal.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offering a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided best-in-class legroom, nearly matching the space of the larger Sonata sedan. However, the Elantra lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid provided 16 cubic feet of trunk space, one of the largest among midsize hybrid sedans. The cabin offered ample legroom for front passengers and decent rear-seat space, accommodating four adults comfortably. The sloping roofline, however, resulted in a low rear door opening, requiring occupants to lower their heads when entering. The front passengers enjoyed cargo pockets in the doors and a decently-sized center console, with a tray at the bottom of the center stack for additional storage.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in SE, SEL, and N Line trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, offering a more upscale experience. The Elantra also featured a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Bose premium sound system, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid also offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with the Limited trim upgrading to a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and real-time traffic updates. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although CarPlay only occupied two-thirds of the screen. The Limited trim included a wireless charging pad and a head-up display, although the HUD’s adjustability was limited for taller drivers. The touchscreen layout was intuitive, with crisp graphics and haptic buttons for various functions.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came standard with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Safety-related upgrades included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Hyundai’s Highway Drive Assist.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid also came standard with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added a head-up display, 360-degree surround-view parking monitor, and parking sensors. The Sonata Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick.