The Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic are two of the most popular compact vehicles, with models ranging from low-cost commuting to high-performance performance.
Both of these lineups stand out for providing excellent value for money, unique style, cutting-edge technology, and cabin luxuries that were previously reserved for higher-priced vehicles.
Both lineups are centered on four-door sedans, but the Civic is still commonly available as a five-door hatchback. Despite having a single body style, the Elantra provides a high-mpg hybrid option.
The Hyundai Elantra made it to the Motor Authority’s Best Car To Buy 2022 shortlist, while the Honda Civic was named the winner for 2023. Both are serious performance vehicles that are also enjoyable to drive.
The Hyundai Elantra vs Honda Civic
The Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra provide remarkable electronic safety and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) arrays, in addition to positive ownership experiences.
Their standard safety features outperform those of many expensive brands. Another advantage is that their resale values are higher than those of many other models in the sector.
The 2023 Honda Civic is offered in four-door sedan and four-door hatchback body styles. The Elantra is only available in sedan form; however, it includes a hybrid powertrain in addition to conventional drivetrains.
Both the Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra come in a variety of trim levels, so you may find a car that fits your price range and equipment level.
Honda has been selling the high-performance Civic Si and Civic Type R for numerous years. Hyundai has lately responded with the enthusiast-oriented Elantra N Line and Elantra N.
Continue reading to learn how the top-selling Civic and Elantra models—as well as the lineups as a whole—compare.
Table of contents
Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic: Comparison
Fuel Economy
- Elantra Hybrid versions can achieve up to 54 combined mpg while Civic sedans average 36 mpg combined.
- A Civic Hybrid variant will be available soon.
The majority of Hyundai Elantra models obtain EPA ratings of 30 mpg city, 40 highway, and 34 combined. The Elantra Hybrids are the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the lineup, with ratings of 53 mpg city, 56 highway, and 54 combined in the standard Blue trim and 49/42/50 mpg in the Elantra Hybrid Limited.
The performance Elantra N is the thirstiest, with fuel economy figures of 20/30/23 mpg with the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic or 22/31/25 mpg with the 6-speed manual.
The majority of the 2023 Honda Civic lineup achieves combined ratings in the 30s, with the most popular Civic CVT sedans achieving 31 mpg city, 38 highway, 34 combined, or 33/42/36 mpg for base versions.
The latter has the highest rating in the lineup, while the Civic Type R consumes the most gasoline, achieving 22/28/24 mpg on premium gas.
Appearance and Style
- The Elantra combines a showy, creased, and sculpted appearance with somewhat bland interior furnishings.
- The Civic is more balanced, but its sedan exterior reads conservative. The interior design of the Civic is simple and elegant—and presumably easier to live with.
With its most recent facelift, Hyundai gave the Elantra quite the bodywork, with jet-fighter angles and creases that feel excessive at first but seem to make all the correct aesthetic sense after you linger on them.
However, once inside, our impressions of the Elantra shift. The combination of complex, curved trimmings that don’t seem to sync up, large plastic panels, and an overabundance of digital displays creates an interior that’s difficult to warm up to.
The Civic appears to be the polar opposite. Its design is conservative, with a blunt brow, a towering greenhouse, and a minimum of sculpting and lines in sedan form—though hatchbacks find the proper look.
The cabin, on the other hand, makes up for it with a style that’s basic and elegant yet racy, with an uncluttered strip of honeycomb-like mesh that switches out climate control vents and creates a horizon.
Interior Design Features
Cloth seats, a single-speaker audio system, and LED headlamps are standard equipment on the Honda Civic.
The Hyundai Elantra has cloth seats, a four-speaker audio system, and halogen lighting.
Safety
Civic receives outstanding safety ratings from both US organizations. The Civic has improved outward visibility. The Honda Civic is difficult to beat. The Honda Civic has received five stars from the NHTSA and is a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and active lane control are standard features, and blind-spot monitoring is available on the majority of the lineup.
The Hyundai Elantra performs almost as well. Its NHTSA ratings are tainted by a four-star rating for frontal impact. It has all “Good” IIHS ratings with the exception of a “Poor” grade for the halogen headlamps used on much of the lineup.
Like the Civic, automated emergency braking is standard, and blind-spot monitors and adaptive cruise control are widely available. Because of the sloping back roofline, we found outward visibility in the Elantra a little more difficult.
Warranty Coverage
The Civic gets a 3-year/36,000-mile warranty, whereas the Elantra has a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. The Civic has a five-year corrosion warranty, while the Elantra has a six-year warranty.
The Elantra has a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, whereas the Civic has a five-year/60,000-mile warranty.
The Honda Civic comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile guarantee on powertrain components, and a 5-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
For three years, or 36,000 miles, roadside assistance is also included.
The Hyundai Elantra has a 5-year/60,000-mile limited warranty, as well as a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 7-year/unlimited-mileage corrosion warranty.
The hybrid battery is also insured for 10 years or 100,000 miles on Hyundai Elantra Hybrid vehicles. For a period of five years, roadside assistance is also offered.
Hyundai Elantra Interior
The Hyundai Elantra is a low-cost small automobile with three engine options. A 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is standard, along with a continuously variable automatic transmission.
The Elantra Hybrid is powered by a 139-horsepower gas-electric hybrid engine and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The performance-themed N Line has a 201-hp, turbo 1.6-liter four-cylinder paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the racy Elantra N has a 276-hp, turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder (available with either a six-speed manual or an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission) and a track-tuned chassis.
Some basic features of the Hyundai Elantra Interior
- Wireless 8-inch touchscreen multimedia system Smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Autocruising mode
- There are two USB ports.
- Keyless access
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert
- Assist with lane departure steering
- Headlights with automatic high beams
- LED taillights and headlights
- Leather-trimmed seats Power moonroof
- Front seats that are heated and ventilated
- 10.25-inch touch-screen display
- Navigation
- Charging wireless devices
- Automatic dual-zone climate control
- Digital instrumentation
- Stop-and-go cruise control with adaptive cruise control
The Hyundai Elantra has a 6-way adjustable driver’s seat with height adjustment, a power driver seat with lumbar support, and dual fully automatic climate control.
Furthermore, the 60/40 split-folding rear seatback adds adaptability, and the changeable ambient inside lighting adds excitement to every journey.
Hyundai Elantra vs. Honda Civic: Summary
Both have excellent electronic safety and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) arrays. Their standard safety features outperform those of many luxury-brand vehicles. Another plus is that their resale values are higher than those of many other models in the segment.
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