The 2021 Hyundai Elantra comes with very bold changes to both inside out, just like the Sonata sibling. Until now, the Elantra had been the compact sedan that attracted a wide range of buyers with its subtle outlook, still, competing with some sportiest sedan rivals.
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra takes big daring steps for the future as it comes forward with more angular or what Hyudani loves to call it, Parametric design appeal. Yet the bold design does have many jaw-dropping elements which include the mandatory-mention-worth jewel-like the front grille, edges and cuts on the sides, and aggressive styling in the rear with a sleek single LED running tail lights and the floating Hyundai emblem.
The interiors have also received major upgrades like dual integrated screens, and segment-leading wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. But we won’t unwrap everything special about the all-new 2021 Hyundai Elantra that easily, but it does stand bold against the likes of Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
What’s new for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra “returning to its sports-sedan roots”, as said by the Korean automakers, as Hyundai has gone bolder and is ready to take some daring steps with the aesthetics and the interiors as well.
Considering the exterior, Hyundai calls it “Sensuous Sportiness defined in the Parametric Dynamics Design” and certainly the more angular design can’t be any more aggressive-looking. The dramatic look of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra marks its “disrupter-spirit” with a daring challenger.
If we’d been walking around, the front highlights Parametric-jewel-pattern grille with turn-signal integration; wide, cascading grille creates an integrated architecture with the headlamp, the bold fascia shape which creates a strong front graphic with well-refined gem-like shapes that are no less of harmony with the body side surfaces.
Even the side profile has a sharp angular sheet with a bold edge running constantly from the front to the rear and also the Parametric-jewel body surfaces. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra will roll out with available 15-, 16-, and 17-inch-wheel designs that match the Parametric Dynamics theme.
The rear highlights wide, the horizontal line extends across the center of the trunk, stretching to the edges of the car, along with a high-tech “H-Tail Lamp” that creates a Hyundai flying H logo-like shape
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra Interiors also gets refreshed for the next decade. Well, comfort remains outstanding as usual, but there are more inches inside. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is longer, lower, and wider compared to the sixth-generation model.
These changes help the 2021 Hyundai Elantra gain 2.2 inches in overall length and 0.8 inches in its wheelbase, and the overall width is increased one inch. Thus these figures also please the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Interior with more legroom and shoulder room in the rear along with more headroom in both front and rear.
While space is more, the ambiance has an aircraft-cockpit-like driver-oriented layout. The cornering grab handle for the passenger might not be the best part, there are many more features to throw the hands in the air with excitement. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra interiors now have 64-color ambient lighting that changes according to the drive mode.
It changes to colorless for Normal, green for Eco, blue for Smart, and red in the Sport mode. The new details also include cooled wireless charging that keeps device temperatures a bit closer to ambient. The old pistol-grip-style automatic gear selector gets replaced in favor of a new T-handle design that both looks and feels quite sturdy.
And also new bigger screens, dual 10.25-inch screens are integrated into the dash, however, they appear to be one continuous piece of glass, and bears a resemblance to Mercedes Benz, who love these conjoined screen ideas. Also the segment-first wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.
The powertrain remains the same, with the same 2.0L MPI Atkinson Cycle engine, but the pairing is done with Hyundai’s IVT that provides superior efficiency and shifts gear like the automatic transmission.
How well does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra perform?
The Elantra gets three trims- SE, SEL, and Limited, and under the hood is a 2.0L MPI Atkinson Cycle engine that churns out 147 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm and 132 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,500 rpm. Before we get into driver engagement, the fuel-economy focussed 2021 Hyundai Elantra is projected to achieve a best-in-class combined fuel economy rating, owing to the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
While the fun behind the wheel is concerned the 2.0L is powerful enough to send chills to the spine and with the new IVT transmissions, the quicker shifts would be exhilarating even for such a daily driver sedan. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra suspensions are claimed to be slacker, but they won’t compromise the comfort and also reduce the unwanted body-roll with maximized wheel impact absorption. The new Elantra is more nimble and more agile and does a good-spirited drive through a twisty canyon road.
2021 Hyundai Elantra Trim levels
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra will continue with the unchanged trim line: SE, SEL, and the range-topping Limited variant. Pick any and you’ll fetch an economical powertrain that includes the 2.0L engine with IVT, that has segment-leading fuel figures.
The interiors aren’t so distinguished. The SE and SEL trim gets Black and Gray cloth seat wrappings with the matching interior trims. While the Limited trim gets upgraded to leather seats. Other than the airplane cockpit-like cabin, the inches increase the overall space inside.
The infotainment has major upgrades like the dual-screen setup, an optional 10.25-inch infotainment system with a faster processor, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay, and connected routing and another 10.25-inch screen as the instrument cluster that includes utility, driver assistance, and navigation.
The sound department is well-managed by Bose premium sound system with eight speakers, including powerful Super65 wide-range speakers in the front doors and a woofer on the rear deck. Then comes ambient lighting that changes with the drive modes also, the cooled wireless charging pad, Hyundai’s Blue Link Connected Car System, and also Dynamic Voice Recognition System that control loads of the interior features.
2021 Hyundai Elantra Safety
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra has loads of safety features that presumably will help it achieve the perfect 5-star ratings by the safety agencies. These features include:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection
- Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
- Lane Following Assist (LFA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Driver Attention Warning (DAW)
- Rearview camera with dynamic guidelines
Also, the optional features which include:
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
- Smart Cruise Control (SCC)
- Highway Driving Assist (HDA)
- Safe Exit Warning (SEW)
- Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA)
2021 Hyundai Elantra Warranty
Hyundai always takes care of its products and also its consumers, thus a confident 10-year/100,000 miles powertrain limited warranty extends reliability vibes to its consumers.
This is followed by 5-year/60,000 miles new vehicle limited warranty and 5-year/unlimited miles 24-hour roadside assistance. Hyundai also includes complimentary maintenance for every 2021 Hyundai, which is factory scheduled maintenance for 3-year/36,000 miles.
Should you buy the 2021 Hyundai Elantra?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, new styling cues that are bold and aggressive, efficiency-sided powerful powertrain, infotainment upgrades, and most of the boxes are checked. It does not go as the more sporty compact size sedan, but after leaving the family secured to the home, the quick spin won’t be disappointing. Along with being comfortable and functional, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra is practical and has some noteworthy details in the aesthetic appeal.
Wrapping up
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a fantabulous ride for a compact size sedan that is both comfortable and desirable. Both the exterior and interior have received upgrades, the aesthetic appeal is bolder, while the ergonomics have been improved with stretched body structure.
The new infotainment features are praiseworthy, which also shows how Hyundai has evolved from just being comfortable to more sporty and functional.