A Week With: 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Any number of carmakers have given up on sedans in recent years as manufacturers increase the number of utility vehicles, they sell across different market segments. 

But a few global manufacturers still believe there are ways of profiting from traditional passenger cars even as the market for new vehicles is increasingly dominated by pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover vehicles. 

Overview

Hyundai, the South Korean automaker, is one of the manufacturers, which has indicated it is not giving up on the passenger car just yet and is keeping an array of comfortable sedans in its product portfolio.

The company’s compact 2023 Elantra Limited is a case in point. It is a trim sedan, carrying a modest price tag that is stylish, comfortable and surprisingly well-equipped considering its modest price. The Elantra also avoids appearing cheap. Instead, it goes in the opposite direction and seems rather luxurious, even compared to well-regarded competitors such as the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Volkswagen Jetta and Toyota Corolla.

Exterior

In today’s traffic, a compact sedan such as 2023 Elantra can look dated because it is built relatively close to the ground and lacks the height of the taller trucks and SUVs around it out on the road. But the Elantra’s design, with its aggressive front fascia, long hood, laid-back windshield, sloping roofline and sleek sheet metal, gives the vehicle a sculpted feel. 

This look separates it from the bolted together appearance of most vehicles placed under showroom lights today. The Elantra’s low-slung stance also is set off by the elegant light fixtures and artfully designed wheels, which enhance the visual appeal of the overall design. It also has a sunroof to bring natural light into the interior.

Interior

One of the Elantra’s strengths is its well-designed cabin, which tilts the center stack towards the driver to bring it within easy reach and gives the entire cockpit a more driver-centric feel. At the same time, the interior is relatively spacious, considering its regarded as a compact car, while the technology, including advance features such as voice recognition and wireless charging, are nicely integrated and easily accessible.

The ambience inside the cabin is surprisingly luxurious and there is space for tucking away things like sunglasses and phones. Visibility from the driver’s seat is also very good, despite the car’s low stance on the road.

Powertrain

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, which is matched to an intelligent variable, automatic transmission, with a front-wheel-drive layout. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has given the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited a combined fuel economy rating of 34 mpg, including 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. 

Safety and Technology

The Elantra comes with a full array of airbags for protection in frontal and side-impact collisions. But it also comes with more advanced features such as forward collision avoidance assistance, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping, and lane-following assistance. 

Additionally, parking-distance warning and parking-collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert and smart cruise control are available. The Elantra is equipped with voice recognition, navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch high-resolution touchscreen and a power driver’s seat and rear-view camera. 

Driving Impressions

The 2023 Elantra Limited packs a lot of punch. The car’s relatively light weight, under 2,700 pounds, means the 141-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine gives a favorable power-to-weight ratio, giving the car a solid performance out on the highway as well as from a standing start. 

The Elantra’s overall performance is given a boost by the well-tuned CVT transmission, which always seem to be in the right position when the car needs to accelerate or needs power up a hill or around a curve or corner. The steering is responsive, and the brakes are solid, so the overall driving dynamics are quite good, and they benefit from the four-wheel, independent suspension underneath the car. 

2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited Specifications

Wrap Up

The combination of a modest price and a long list of features, including safety equipment and connectivity, make the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited an impressive value. Certainly, it does not have the room or versatility of some of the crossovers now on the market, but the car’s sleek good looks, longer wheelbase, and relatively modest price tag are very attractive.

The lightweight powertrain is very fuel efficient, getting an impressive 40 mpg on the highway, and makes it quite competitive with some pricier hybrid models now available one the market. The is a perfect vehicle for anyone who thinks the whole idea of buying, owning, and driving a car is a big drag.

2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited ­— Frequently Asked Questions