10 Hyundai Elantra Competitors to Consider

2019 Hyundai Elantra ・ Photo by Hyundai

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra sedan and hatchback are among Hyundai’s best-selling models. While the Elantra is listed and priced like a compact car, it has comparable interior space to a midsize sedan. The Elantra comes with a 2.0-liter engine, rated at 147 horsepower. Buyers also can choose the fuel-efficient turbocharged 1.4-liter engine rated at 128 hp and enjoy highway fuel economy up to 40 mpg.

New for 2019, the Elantra received a mid-cycle update including new bodywork and wheel options, and a long list of available safety features such as forward collision avoidance, lane keep assist, and driver attention alert. The 2019 Hyundai Elantra starts at $17,985 including destination fees.

If you’re shopping the Elantra this year, here are 10 competitors for you to consider before you buy.

2019 Chevrolet Cruze

The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze starts at $18,870 including all fees, and for that price you get a four-door sedan with a 1.4-liter ECOTEC turbocharged engine rated at 153 hp. A 6-speed automatic transmission is standard. A 1.6-liter turbo-diesel engine with a 9-speed automatic transmission also is available, offering up to 240 lb-ft of torque and 31 mpg city/48 mpg highway.

Like the Elantra, the Cruze also is available as a hatchback, with up to 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space. All Cruze models come with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment interface that supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Chevrolet’s 4G/LTE data connection with in-car wifi capability also is standard. The 2019 Chevrolet Cruze is available in nine different trim levels.

Photo by Chevrolet

2019 Ford EcoSport

Ford offers several vehicles that compete with the Elantra, but has announced the end of the Fiesta and Focus models. The remaining 2019 Ford EcoSport is a small four-door crossover. The $19,995 EcoSport carries a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine rated at 123 hp, mated with an automatic transmission. Larger engines and all-wheel drive are available at extra cost.

The thing that sets the EcoSport apart is its fifth door at the rear of the car. Instead of swinging up like a hatch, the EcoSport door opens up to the side, making rear cargo access a little bit easier. The EcoSport has generous cargo capacity at about 50 cubic feet, and will seat five passengers.

Photo by Ford

2019 Kia Forte

Kia has redesigned the 2019 Forte compact sedan, giving it a new look similar to the 2018 Kia Stinger halo performance car. The 2019 Forte is available in four trims, starting with a 6-speed manual transmission at $17,690. The base trim comes with an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, rearview camera, and advanced safety features including forward collision avoidance, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist.

Upgrading to Kia’s intelligent continuously variable transmission yields a suggested price of $18,590 for the FE trim. Higher trim levels add features like 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, Harman Kardon stereo, and LED headlights with high beam assist. The only Forte engine is a 2.0-liter unit with 147 hp, just like the Elantra. The Forte returns up to 31 mpg city/41 mpg highway.

Photo by Jeff Zurschmeide

2019 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2019 VW Jetta is the latest edition of one of the most popular Volkswagen models ever. More than 17.5 million Jettas have been made and sold since the model debuted in 1980. The Jetta always has been an affordable compact sedan with great fuel economy and reliability. VW has extensively revised the Jetta for 2019, and pricing starts at $19,395.

All 2019 Jetta models come with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine good for 147 hp. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual transmission and an 8-speed automatic transmission. All Jetta models use front-wheel-drive. Fuel economy is excellent at 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway. Base trim levels receive a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while upgrade trims get an 8-inch screen.

Photo by Volkswagen

2019 Nissan Sentra

One of the most popular entries in the small sedan segment is the 2019 Nissan Sentra. Starting at $17,790, the Sentra is a consistent best-seller because of its affordability and versatility. The Sentra is available with your choice of a 1.8-liter engine rated at 124 hp, or a turbocharged 1.6-liter at 188 hp. The base Sentra S and the sporty NISMO edition are available with a 6-speed manual transmission, while other trims use Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission.

All Sentra models come with a seven-inch touchscreen display interface, and upgrade trims support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert are available on higher trims. All Sentra models come with a standard rearview camera.

Photo by Nissan

2019 Toyota Corolla

Starting at $19,620, the 2019 Toyota Corolla consistently is one of the best-selling sedans in America. Available with your choice of a 6-speed manual or continuously variable transmission, all Corolla models come with a 1.8-liter engine rated at either 132 or 140 hp, depending on the trim level. All Corollas are front-wheel-drive cars. The Corolla also is available as a four-door hatchback.

Base trims come with a 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Bluetooth is included, along with Siri Eyes Free. Upgrade trims come with a 7.0-inch system with Toyota’s Entune Audio Plus system and optional integrated GPS navigation. All trims come with Toyota Safety Sense, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control.

Photo by Toyota

2019 Subaru Impreza

With a starting price of $19,480, the 2019 Subaru Impreza stands out as the only Elantra competitor with standard all-wheel drive. The base price includes a 6-speed manual transmission, although the Impreza also is available with a continuously variable transmission for $1,000 more. The Impreza engine is a 2.0-liter unit rated at 152 hp. Equipped with the CVT, the Impreza returns up to an EPA-estimated 28 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

The Impreza includes a standard STARLINK 6.5-inch touchscreen multimedia interface, with an 8-inch unit available on higher trim levels. All models include support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as USB and Bluetooth. Subaru’s EyeSight driver assistance system is optional on all trims, and includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure and sway warnings, and lane keeping assistance.

Photo by Subaru

2019 Kia Soul

The 2019 Kia Soul is a front-wheel-drive four-door hatchback. The 2019 Soul starts at $17,430 with a 1.6-liter engine rated at 130 hp, or you can upgrade to a 2.0-liter engine with 161 hp, and even to a 1.6-liter turbo model with 201 hp. The base trim comes with a six-speed manual transmission, but six-speed automatic or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions are available.

The Soul carries up to 49.5 cubic feet of stuff. The basic trim includes a five-inch touchscreen display, but you can upgrade that to a seven-inch unit on any trim, or an eight-inch unit on higher trim levels. All trims include support for Bluetooth streaming and USB. Advanced safety features are available in the higher trims.

Photo by Kia

2018 Mazda Mazda3

Among the sportiest alternatives to the Elantra is the 2018 Mazda3 sedan. Starting at $18,990 with a 6-speed manual transmission, the basic Mazda3 is equipped with a 2.0-liter engine rated at 155 hp. If you upgrade to the Touring trim, the Mazda3 comes with a 2.5-liter engine rated at 184 hp. A 6-speed automatic transmission is an available upgrade for $1,050.

All Mazda3 models come equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen MAZDA CONNECT infotainment system, which also includes a handy dial controller on the console. All Mazda3 models include smart city braking support and a rearview camera. Starting with the mid-grade Touring trim, the Mazda3 includes standard blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert.

Photo by Mazda

2018 Honda Civic

Starting at $20,345, the 2018 Honda Civic is one of the most expensive Elantra competitors, but it’s also among the most popular. The base Civic includes a 2.0-liter engine rated at 158 hp with a 6-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable transmission is optional. Upgrade trims include a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine good for 174 hp.

The Civic includes a five-inch LCD display screen in the base trim, or a seven-inch touchscreen system in higher trims. The touchscreen includes support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, as well as the HondaLink app integration system. GPS navigation is available in the top Touring trim. All trims include adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and lane keeping assist.

Photo by Honda