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2021 Hyundai Elantra vs Honda Civic

2021 Hyundai Elantra vs Honda Civic
Reviewed & fact checked by
James Murdoch

2021 Elantra vs Civic - How do they stack up? Which is Better?

Those in the market for a new sedan are sure to find something special. Thanks to intense competition, car companies have taken extra care putting together an impressive array of technology and features - all at an affordable price! The 2021 Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic stand out from other sedans with their sleek designs, modern flair, and cutting-edge tech. It's possible that having fun behind the wheel isn't just reserved for sports cars anymore; these two make it accessible for everyone!

It's time to make car buying decisions in 2021, and the options can certainly be overwhelming. But if you're looking for a good blend of power, efficiency and practicality then your best bets are probably going to come down between Hyundai Elantra or Honda Civic. The Elantra Hybrid is especially attractive with two trims capable of achieving over 50 mpg! If extra cargo space or sporty styling is more important however, check out the Hatchback version of the Civic – which adds plenty storage capacity -or its Type R cousin that sports an impressive 300+ horsepower engine under-the hood!

The Powertrain

The Hyundai Elantra is no slouch when it comes to performance, boasting 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines across three of the trims and potentially reaching 147 horsepower courtesy of one option. But don't count out its rival Honda Civic - two trims come with similar engine configurations but can churn out 158 horses as well as 138 pound feet torque - numbers which may just set any driver's heart racing.

The Elantra N Line packs a turbocharged punch, with a powerful 1.6-liter engine delivering 201 horses and 195 pound-feet of torque - an upgrade over the standard trims' 174 horsepower/162 lb.-ft offering from Honda's Civic models.

When it comes to thrilling performance, the Hyundai Elantra takes the lead over its compact rival, boasting even greater capabilities in its turbo models. But don't discount baseline power -- both options deliver a strong base level of capability for those seeking sensible adventure on four wheels.

The Hyundai Elantra offers drivers the versatility to control their ride with a Smartstream intelligent variable transmission as standard or harness more power and performance on its N Line trim, which comes equipped with SHIFTRONIC - allowing you shift gears manually. For that added boost of athleticism, this version also has special wheels plus an advanced multi-link rear suspension for smooth handling even during tight corners.

Honda Civics confidently tackle the open road with continuously variable transmissions and front-wheel drive, while providing drivers a delightful challenge through optional paddle shifters. These manual controls let you take full control of your car's performance as you gun it down highways or race around corners - an exhilarating experience!

Get ready to take the road, minus a few pit stops! The Elantra is designed with fuel efficiency in mind without compromising its compact frame or small engine. It’s able to reach up to 43 mpg on highways and 33 within cities - impressive if you ask us; not content with just that? Upgrade the turbo engine for even better performance of 36 miles per gallon while cruising down highways and 28 when navigating city streets.

The Civic offers great fuel economy regardless of which version you choose. The non-turbo can get up to 38 miles per gallon on the highway, while its beefed-up cousin with a turbocharged engine ups the ante even more - reaching 42 MPG when cruising along highways. And in both cases, 30/32 mpg are possible around town for added savings when stuck in traffic too!

Drivability

Feel the wind in your hair and experience driving like never before with a compact car. The agile Hyundai Elantra is 184.1 inches long, 71.9 inches wide, and sits five inches off the ground for easy motoring over any terrain - even if you take it on some rough roads! If that isn't enough to convince you of its nifty capabilities then perhaps consider Honda's Civic model as an option; at 1 ½ inch shorter than the Elantra but marginally wider with slightly more clearance from up top will have drivers zipping around town without worry or care!

The Hyundai Elantra is going to have a more comfortable cabin from a size perspective. It has 42.3 inches of front-row leg room and 38 inches of second-row leg room. There's a similar amount of front-row leg room in the Honda Civic, but there's less space in the back seat. Rear-seat passengers won't be too cramped with 37.4 inches of leg room, but every inch (or half-inch) could be important if three adults are sitting together in the back.

With the Elantra and Civic, there's no need to worry about space for cargo. Whether you're packing suitcases or boxes of food for a picnic, these cars offer plenty of capacity - 14.2 cubic feet in the trunk of an Elantra and even more (15.1!) in that of a Civic.

Enjoy a smooth ride in your Hyundai Elantra, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard features. Upgrade to the Premier trim for a larger 10.25-inch display including built-in navigation plus SiriusXM Satellite Radio – or go all out on the top two trims where you can enjoy wireless charging capabilities too! The ultimate experience comes from the Bose premium audio system which provides eight powerful speakers - including one subwoofer - producing rich sound that will make any journey special.

An available feature that the Elantra has is Hyundai Digital Key, and that allows a smartphone to be used as a digital key fob. It takes the smart entry system one step further.

The Honda Civic has five available trims to choose from, ranging in features and amenities. Starting with the entry-level model you get a 5" LCD screen complete with Bluetooth; upper level models offer 7" touchscreens compatible with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. All but this minimal option have SiriusXM radio as well as HD Radio so your ride can be accompanied by top of the line entertainment experiences. For true luxury, select the Touring trim which comes equipped with navigation capabilities and a 10 speaker sound system for unbeatable audio quality!

Buying Tip:

To avoid overpaying on a new car, shop prices online first. Get up front pricing before you walk into a dealership. We recommend the following free services; Car Clearance Deals, NADAguides, CarsDirect & & Motortrend.
These free services will offer you the lowest prices and supply you with multiple competing price quotes. You will know the best price before you visit the dealer.

Safety

Hyundai and Honda have been pioneers in the auto industry for their commitment to safety. Their investment of driver-assist technologies has revolutionized how we drive, providing ample protection on our roads.

In the Hyundai Elantra, the standard list of driver-assist systems includes pedestrian section, frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane keeping and lane following assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. Plus, every trim has blind spot and rear cross-traffic warning and avoidance assist. That means that the Elantra can take corrective measures if a driver is about to change lanes or back up at the wrong time.

Higher trims can have smart cruise control, which allows the Elantra to adjust its speed if the leading vehicle adjusts its speed. This way, safe distancing is maintained. Additionally, a higher trim of an Elantra can have an enhanced forward collision-avoidance assist with cyclist detection. One final benefit of getting the Limited trim of the Elantra is that it has parking collision-avoidance assist that can prevent fender benders.

Honda Civic vehicles come loaded with driver-assist features like collision mitigation braking, road departure/lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control as standard. What's more; the top three trims of a Honda Civic offer something special - Honda LaneWatch! This handy feature uses an embedded camera in the side mirror to provide drivers with additional visibility into their blind spots when utilizing turn signals. In comparison, this type of tech is only seen on select higher trim Elantras.

Which Has the Best Value?

People on tight budgets will be intrigued by the Elantra and Civic because of their competitive pricing. The SE trim of the Elantra is priced under $20,000, and this makes it a bit unique in a market where things can be expensive. The SE only costs $19,650. The SEL costs $20,900, the N Line is priced at $24,100, and the Limited tops things off with a price of $25,450.

Get your hands on a Honda Civic LX for just $21,250! Step it up and check out the Sport trim with extra features starting at $23,050. Or go all-out luxury in an EX or EX-L version priced from 24K to 25.6K respectively. But if you're looking for top of the line performance and style without breaking the bank, look no further than the Touring model – its luxuriousness is available at only 28 grand!

The Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic have plenty of similarities, but a few notable differences make them stand out in their own ways. The top trims on the Elantra boast some high-tech features such as the Digital Key, while its base model offers no smartphone connection or touchscreen display for comparison. When it comes to mid-level options like heated front seats, both vehicles offer similar amenities - though only the Civic has available heated rear seating. Performance and style wise; however, you may want to opt for an N Line trim rather than a Sport version if that's your priority!

Which is Better?

The Hyundai Elantra and the Honda Civic are two popular choices when it comes to mid-size sedans. The former has a modern edge with its 10.25 inch touchscreen, turbo engines that offer both speed and efficiency, while the latter keeps things familiar by providing drivers with a sense of security in their choice thanks to decades as an industry leader plus safety features for convenience. It's no wonder these cars remain competitive on today's market!

The decision between the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic can be tricky, as each one offers its own unique features. Whether you prioritize a larger trunk, stronger engine power or higher-end components such as advanced technological amenities will determine your pick. For those wanting to save some cash while having more second row legroom plus tech perks not available on other models - the Elantra might offer just what you're looking for!

Used 2021 Hyundai Elantra: