Is the Elantra right for you?

What’s the difference between the Hyundai Sonata and the Hyundai Elantra? Some would have you believe they’re basically the same car, but that’s far from true. To determine which will be right for you, take a look at how the two compare.

The Elantra’s Advantages
First off, the Elantra has a big advantage if you’ve got a small garage, do a lot of parallel parking, or generally need a more compact vehicle because it’s eleven inches shorter than the Sonata. Believe it or not, that doesn’t come at a cost for passengers, as it’s just as roomy in the back seat as the Sonata.

In general, the Elantra is tinier and easier to maneuver. As a result, it’s more fuel-friendly than the larger Sonata. Thanks to the smaller body and the lighter weight, the Elantra only sips gas at 33 miles per gallon combined with its base engine compared to the Sonata, which has to leverage hybrid options to be as efficient. To top things off, the Elantra also comes with an EcoBoost option, so you can be a little greener when you drive.

Where The Sonata Shines
The Sonata, on the other hand, offers more bells and whistles as standard features right off the bat, many of which are added options for the Elantra. Heated mirrors, a steering wheel that telescopes and adjusts, satellite radio, and more are incorporated into even the base model of the Sonata. If those features are important to you, the Sonata offers quite a bit, especially compared to other cars in its class.

It also offers a lot of space to haul things, from a longer body to a roomier trunk. It has a more powerful engine, and if you’re interested in hybrid engines or even choosing a plug-in hybrid, the Sonata has option packages that allow you to do just that. While the 27-mile range on the plug-in hybrid isn’t spectacular, if you mostly use your sedan for short trips around town, the plug-in hybrid option might help you stretch out your gas dollar.

Perhaps the Sonata?

Which To Choose?
That leaves the shopper with a tricky question. Between the Sonata and the Elantra, which do you choose? A lot depends on what’s most important to you.

There are some clear winners in specific categories. The Elantra, for example, has a lower price, is generally lighter on the gas, and offers a good, basic car experience. If you don’t have many people in your car and are only using it for yourself and a few others, it’s probably ideal.

Conversely, if you need a lot of luggage room, if you’re interested in plug-in hybrid technology, or you want a more powerful engine, the Sonata is going to be your car of choice.

Beyond that, it really comes down to what options are most important to you. While the Elantra has fewer options, it still has more than enough to satisfy many drivers, especially ones that are more interested in value than features.