The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Is the Best Hybrid Car for the Money
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid wins the 2023 Best Hybrid Car for the Money award. This affordable compact sedan delivers outstanding fuel economy, a sprightly powertrain, and crisp handling. The Elantra Hybrid also packs plenty of features for an enjoyable driving experience. Let’s take a deep dive into what makes the 2023 Hyundai Elantra an excellent value.
What makes the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid the best hybrid car for the money?
U.S. News & World Report awards the vehicles in each category with the Best for the Money award for having the best combination of quality and value. This doesn’t mean the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is the best hybrid vehicle overall, but it offers the best value for the money. In fact, among hybrid cars, the Elantra ranks sixth and is fifth among small cars.
Still, the 2023 Elantra Hybrid wins as the best hybrid car for the money because of its value.
U.S. News notes the following pros and cons:
Pros
- Excellent fuel economy
- Lively powertrain
- Balanced ride and handling
- Roomy, high-tech interior
Cons
- Too many hard plastics in the cabin
- Loud gas engine
The two drawbacks could cause consumers to look for another hybrid car regardless of value.
Which hybrid cars rank higher than the Elantra Hybrid overall?
Although U.S. News names the Hyundai Elantra the Best Hybrid Car for the Money, the site places this compact sedan fourth on its list of the eight best hybrid cars for 2023. The Elantra barely cracks the top half. Here are the U.S. News rankings for the segment:
- Honda Accord Hybrid
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (tied for first place)
- Toyota Camry Hybrid
- Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
- Toyota Prius Prime
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Crown
Analyzing this list, you might notice the Elantra Hybrid is the highest-rated compact sedan for 2023. The Accord, Sonata, and Camry are midsize sedans.
What is the mpg for the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid?
Every 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid model packs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine and a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. This setup produces 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.
The 2023 Elantra Hybrid’s fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 53/56 mpg city/highway for the Blue base model and 49/52 mpg city/highway for the Limited trim.
How much does the latest Elantra Hybrid cost?
With only two trims, this hybrid car’s pricing is easy to understand. The Blue model starts at $24,400, and the Limited retails for at least $29,000.
For comparison, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Honda Civic Hybrid also start at around $24,000. That means the Elantra Hybrid is an affordable small hybrid car.
Is the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid a good car?
Yes, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is an excellent hybrid car. It brings confident handling, a smooth ride, a comfortable interior, and many standard tech features. This value-oriented compact also boasts excellent fuel economy and an affordable sticker price. In addition, the hybrid powertrain provides ample power and acceleration.
However, the most significant Elantra Hybrid drawbacks are its noisy engine and overuse of plastics, cheapening the interior’s aesthetic. These factors might be enough for some consumers to search for a better hybrid car.
