In the ever-competitive compact sedan market, car enthusiasts and potential buyers find themselves comparing various models to find the perfect blend of style, performance, and affordability. Two frontrunners in this segment are the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, both boasting impressive features and well-earned reputations for reliability.
In this article, we delve into a comprehensive comparison of the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, providing you with valuable insights to make an informed decision when choosing your next vehicle.
Exterior Design:
The Hyundai Elantra features a bold and striking look with its angular lines and aggressive front grille. The car’s LED headlights and taillights, combined with its sleek profile, give it an unmistakable presence on the road. The Elantra’s unique triangular rear window adds a distinctive touch to the overall design.
The Honda Civic, on the other hand, opts for a more conservative yet elegant design. The car’s clean lines and sculpted body give it a sporty and sophisticated appearance. The LED headlights and taillights, along with its sharp front fascia, contribute to the car’s modern aesthetic.
Interior Design:
The Elantra’s cabin is both functional and visually appealing, with a futuristic-looking dashboard and a user-friendly infotainment system. The materials used throughout the interior, such as the soft-touch plastics and high-quality fabric, create a comfortable and refined ambiance.
The Civic’s interior is equally impressive, with a clean and uncluttered layout. The dashboard is well-organized, and the infotainment system is intuitive to use. The combination of high-quality materials and elegant design accents creates a welcoming atmosphere.
Seating:
Both the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic can comfortably accommodate up to five passengers.
The Elantra’s seats are supportive and offer plenty of legroom and headroom, even for taller passengers. The driver’s seat comes with multiple adjustments, allowing for a personalized driving position. The rear seats provide ample space for passengers and can be folded down to increase cargo capacity when needed.
The Honda Civic also offers comfortable seating, with well-padded and ergonomically designed seats. The driver’s seat has a wide range of adjustments to suit various body types. The rear seats are spacious and can accommodate adults comfortably, but they do not fold down as the Elantra’s do.
Storage:
The Elantra has a generous trunk capacity of 14.2 cubic feet, which can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats. The cabin also features multiple storage compartments, including a glove box, center console, and door pockets.
The Honda Civic’s trunk offers slightly less space at 14.0 cubic feet, and its rear seats don’t fold down. However, the cabin does have several storage spaces, including door pockets, a center console, and a glove box.
Performance:
The Elantra comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It offers a smooth and comfortable ride, and its suspension soaks up most road imperfections with ease.
The Civic is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The Civic’s engine feels slightly more energetic than the Elantra’s, providing a more engaging driving experience. The car’s suspension is well-tuned, offering a comfortable ride while maintaining excellent handling and cornering abilities.
Fuel Efficiency:
The Elantra is estimated to achieve 33 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway, making it an economical choice for daily commutes and long road trips alike.
The Honda Civic is equally fuel-efficient, with an estimated 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Both vehicles are ideal options for those looking to save on fuel costs without sacrificing performance.
Safety:
The Hyundai Elantra comes equipped with the Hyundai SmartSense suite, which includes forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning, and high beam assist. Optional safety features include blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision warning, and adaptive cruise control.
The Honda Civic features the Honda Sensing suite, which includes collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. Additional safety options include blind-spot information system and cross-traffic monitor.
Trim Levels:
The Hyundai Elantra is offered in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims. The SE is the base model, while the SEL adds more convenience features. The N Line trim focuses on sporty performance, and the Limited trim provides a more luxurious experience with additional features and technology.
The Honda Civic comes in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims. The LX is the entry-level model, while the Sport adds sporty design elements and upgraded features. The EX trim enhances comfort and convenience, and the top-of-the-line Touring trim offers the most advanced technology and luxury features.
Pricing:
The base model Elantra SE starts at around $19,500, while the fully-loaded Limited trim can reach up to $25,500. The performance-oriented N Line trim is priced at approximately $24,000.
The Honda Civic LX starts at around $21,000, and the range-topping Touring trim can cost up to $28,000. The Sport and EX trims are priced at about $22,500 and $24,500, respectively.
Key Differences
Rear Seat Configuration:
The Hyundai Elantra features rear seats that can fold down, providing additional cargo capacity when needed. The Honda Civic’s rear seats, however, do not have this option, which may be a consideration if you require extra storage space on occasion.
Performance:
The Honda Civic’s 2.0-liter engine generates slightly more horsepower (158 hp) and torque (138 lb-ft) than the Hyundai Elantra’s 2.0-liter engine (147 hp and 132 lb-ft). This results in a more engaging driving experience in the Civic, although both cars offer comfortable and enjoyable rides.
Trim Levels and Options:
Both cars offer various trim levels to suit different preferences and budgets. However, the Elantra provides a performance-oriented N Line trim, while the Civic has a sportier Sport trim that focuses more on design elements and upgraded features.
Pricing:
The base model Hyundai Elantra SE starts at a lower price point of around $19,500 compared to the Honda Civic LX, which starts at about $21,000. However, the fully-loaded Honda Civic Touring can reach up to $28,000, while the top-of-the-line Elantra Limited is priced around $25,500.
Final Thoughts:
Each car has its unique strengths and characteristics, making the final choice a matter of personal preference. With the Elantra’s bold design, versatile rear seats, and competitive pricing, it appeals to those who desire a distinctive and budget-friendly option.
Meanwhile, the Civic’s engaging driving experience, sophisticated interior, and reputation for reliability make it an attractive choice for those who prioritize performance and refinement. Ultimately, test-driving both models will provide you with the best understanding of which compact sedan meets your specific needs and preferences.
Features Breakdown:
2023 Hyundai Elantra Features
- Exterior Design:
- Bold and striking design with angular lines
- Aggressive front grille
- LED headlights and taillights
- Unique triangular rear window
- Interior Design:
- Futuristic-looking dashboard
- User-friendly infotainment system
- Soft-touch plastics and high-quality fabric
- Comfortable and refined ambiance
- Seating:
- Comfortable and supportive seats
- Multiple adjustments for driver’s seat
- Ample legroom and headroom
- Rear seats fold down for increased cargo capacity
- Storage:
- Generous trunk capacity of 14.2 cubic feet
- Multiple storage compartments in the cabin
- Glove box, center console, and door pockets
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
- 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque
- Smooth and comfortable ride
- Agile handling
- Fuel Efficiency:
- Estimated 33 mpg city and 43 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Hyundai SmartSense suite of safety features
- Optional safety features available
- Trim Levels:
- SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims
- Pricing:
- Base model SE starts at around $19,500
- Fully-loaded Limited trim priced around $25,500
2023 Honda Civic Features
- Exterior Design:
- Conservative yet elegant design
- Clean lines and sculpted body
- LED headlights and taillights
- Sharp front fascia
- Interior Design:
- Clean and uncluttered layout
- Well-organized dashboard
- Intuitive infotainment system
- High-quality materials and elegant design accents
- Seating:
- Well-padded and ergonomically designed seats
- Wide range of adjustments for driver’s seat
- Spacious rear seats
- Rear seats do not fold down
- Storage:
- Trunk capacity of 14.0 cubic feet
- Cabin storage spaces include door pockets, center console, and glove box
- Performance:
- 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine
- 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque
- Engaging driving experience
- Excellent handling and cornering abilities
- Fuel Efficiency:
- Estimated 30 mpg city and 40 mpg highway
- Safety:
- Honda Sensing suite of safety features
- Additional safety options available
- Trim Levels:
- LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims
- Pricing:
- Base model LX starts at around $21,000
- Range-topping Touring trim priced around $28,000
