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2021 Hyundai Elantra Overview

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Sunny front side view of 2021 Hyundai Elantra
Photo: Hyundai

A mainstay in the Hyundai lineup for 30 years, the Elantra is all-new for 2021. This compact sedan’s award-winning redesign includes a fresh exterior look, better gas mileage, and more state-of-the-art technologies. The 2021 Elantra is available at six trim levels: SE, SEL, SEL Hybrid, N Line, Limited, and Limited Hybrid.


A Car for Every Lifestyle: Check out Hyundai’s lineup of efficient, stylish sedans


  • Front side view of 2021 Hyundai Elantra
  • Rear side view of 2021 Hyundai Elantra driving down road
  • Side view of 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line driving down road
  • Front side of 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid driving down road
  • Rear view of 2021 Hyundai Elantra driving in city

Performance and efficiency

The 2021 Elantra gives customers a choice of three powertrains. SE, SEL, and Limited models come equipped with a 2.0-liter engine mated to a Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission. This pairing yields 147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque, and up to 37 combined mpg.

The N Line features a 1.6-liter turbo engine with a standard six-speed manual or available seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This engine puts out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque while getting up to a combined 31 mpg.

The SEL Hybrid and Limited Hybrid get a combined 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque from a 1.6-liter gas engine and a 32-kilowatt electric motor. This hybrid system pairs with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and is estimated to top 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

  • Front side view of 2021 Hyundai Elantra
  • Rear side view of 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line wheel close-up
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra headlamp close-up
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra grille and badge close-up

Exterior design

For 2021, the Elantra has been widened, lengthened, and lowered for a sportier, more aggressive look. It also boasts a new coupe-like outline. Standard exterior features include a chrome jewel-patterned grille, LED daytime running lights, and 15-inch alloy wheels. Higher trims add larger wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a hands-free smart trunk release, and a power sunroof. The N Line distinguishes itself with sporty elements like chrome twin exhaust outlets and a special grille design.


The New Elantra: Find out more about this redesigned Hyundai sedan


  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra front seats and dash
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid front seats
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra rear seats
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra steering wheel close-up
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line gear shifter

Interior features

The interior of the Elantra gets a more spacious design for 2021, including a best-in-class 38 inches of rear legroom. Cloth seats come standard, with leather, power adjustability, and heating available. Key options include push-button start, dual automatic temperature control, and a leather-covered steering wheel and shift knob. The Elantra also offers Hyundai Digital Key tech, which lets you lock and unlock the doors with an Android smartphone.

  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra 10.25-inch driver display and touch screen
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra 8-inch touch screen and wireless Apple CarPlay
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra 8-inch touch screen and wireless Android Auto
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid driver display
  • 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Line driver display

Safety and infotainment tech

The 2021 Elantra comes loaded with standard safety and infotainment tech, plus a wide range of options. On the safety side, all models receive eight SmartSense systems: a rearview camera, High Beam Assist, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection. Smart Cruise Control and Highway Drive Assist are available as well.

For infotainment, the Elantra comes equipped with a new 8-inch touch screen, Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and voice control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and HD Radio. The Elantra is also available with a stunning twin 10.25-inch touch-screen array: one displays a fully digital driver display and the other is for infotainment. This system adds navigation and Dynamic Voice Recognition as well.

For in-depth information on other key vehicles in the Hyundai lineup, check out our model overview section at The News Wheel.