So far, I’ve explored all the advantages that electric vehicles offer over traditional combustion engine vehicles when it comes to saving money in the long run, but a recent survey found that one of the biggest barriers to owning an electric car is that they’re still far too expensive for the average consumer.
But after driving a Hyundai Elantra Hybrid (starts at $29,450, $29,450 as tested) for a week, I’m convinced it’s one of the best value cars on the market and should be considered if an electric vehicle is out of your reach.
Hybrids have become more efficient, so much so that many of today’s models easily achieve fuel economy above 40 mpg (miles per gallon) – and the Elantra Hybrid is no exception. What also surprises me is that you get access to the same amenities I initially thought were reserved for the best electric cars and PHEVs, such as smart cruise control, parking sensors, wireless phone charging, lane-keeping assist, ventilated seats, and more.
For me, though, it ultimately comes down to value. Specifically, how much you can save in the long run. After driving the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited for a week, I think it’s one of the best bang for the buck if you’re looking to cut your gas expenses.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited 2024: Benefits
Excellent fuel efficiency
First, I’m used to averaging around 30 mpg in my old Toyota Corolla. But to experience a vehicle that gives me over 50 mpg proves how much more efficient hybrids are compared to traditional, pure gasoline vehicles. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid lives up to its claim of achieving 50 mpg combined fuel economy. In fact, in my testing, I got an average of 50.8 mpg – so if you do the math, it could have a range of up to 558 miles. If you do a lot of long-distance driving, you’ll be able to go considerably farther in the Elantra Hybrid.
Large trunk
Since the Elantra is often considered equal to my Corolla, I’m surprised the trunk has so much space for a compact sedan. I can easily lay my electric scooter flat on its side and slide it all the way back, closer to where the trunk meets the rear seats, and still have plenty of room to throw other things in.
The same driver assistance functions as in electric vehicles
It’s becoming increasingly clear that basic driver assistance features are now ubiquitous in all new cars. Although the Elantra Hybrid Limited is classified as a compact sedan, it has assistance features that I rely on when driving – like lane departure warning that keeps the car in the center of the lane, blind spot warning that lets me know when a vehicle is getting too close, a rearview camera for parking, and smart cruise control that maintains the car’s speed and moves the steering wheel accordingly. These are exactly the same safety and assistance features that I’ve found in much more expensive electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Aggressive looking grille
When you look at the Elantra Hybrid Limited from the front, it’s hard to miss the aggressive grille it wears. Not only does the sharp front end of the car stand out, but the grille itself has this almost three-dimensional pattern design that draws attention. Compared to other compact sedans I’ve seen on the road, it’s not sporty, but it’s definitely on the aggressive side, giving it the illusion of performance – even though it’s a hybrid.
Cool looking cluster animations
Almost every vehicle today is ditching the traditional instrument cluster in favor of fully electronic instruments, but I really like how Hyundai is changing that up because there’s this neat option that transforms the usual dashboard instrument layout, like the speedometer and tachometer, and replaces them with these animated cubes. One side shows a digital readout of the car’s speed, while the other shows fuel consumption. Little touches like the way they’re animated make for a refreshing change from the norm.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited 2024: Disadvantages
Unused panel on the driver’s side
When I first sat in the driver’s seat, I noticed the area on the left side of the dashboard with this circular pattern and a line down the middle. At first, I thought it must be some kind of touch-sensitive panel — be it for navigating the touchscreen like a trackpad — but it wasn’t. I even wondered if there was a magnetic connection behind it so I could attach my MagSafe iPhone to it. Well, it turns out that it was simply a placeholder for potentially other functions when the vehicle was designed, but it’s just empty space with no purpose.
Wired Android Auto and CarPlay
I don’t understand how the cheaper petrol-only version of the 2024 Hyundai Elantra offers wireless CarPlay and Android Auto while the more expensive Elantra Hybrid Limited Edition I drove only offers this with a wired connection. It should be the other way around! While it’s not a huge issue, I would have preferred the wireless connection rather than having to plug my phone into a cable and take up one of the USB-C ports in the car to access Android Auto or CarPlay.
Narrow windshield
When I briefly went back to get something out of my Toyota Corolla and then returned to the Elantra Hybrid Limited, I noticed that its windshield was much narrower. The problem with this is that this causes a lot of the reflections from the car’s dashboard to appear in the windshield, which is a bit distracting on brighter days when those reflections are more noticeable.
2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited: Conclusion
Picture 1 from 8th
When it comes to value, the 2024 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited has a lot to offer. With an MSRP of $29,450, it’s still much more affordable than most of the best cheap electric cars on the market today – while offering significantly more range without the need for pit stops to refuel. For example, the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 costs $38,990 before factoring in any rebates ($33,990 with rebates), but its range is less at 272 miles.
Another notable comparison would be the gasoline-only version of the Elantra, which starts at $21,625 but gets a lower combined fuel economy of 36 mpg. That’s a huge difference that the hybrid model pays off in the long run, which I think is a better investment at this point. You could save even more by opting for the standard Elantra Hybrid Blue, which starts at $26,250 and gets an even better combined fuel economy of 54 mpg.
It’s worth noting that electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf will save you the most money in the long run, as charging at home is much cheaper than filling up a hybrid with gasoline. But I also understand that there are still people who have reservations about electric vehicles, such as their range and the availability of charging stations, which is why hybrid cars like the Elantra shouldn’t be overlooked.
