2017 Hyundai Sonata vs Hyundai Elantra Comparison

2017 Hyundai Sonata vs 2017 Hyundai Elantra

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Generally, sedans are designed to ferry a typical number of people around in comfort while also providing room for a moderate amount of merchandise. With this basic concept in mind, there are plenty of individual size categories, and the Hyundai Sonata and Elantra do a superb job of filling two of them. The 2017 Sonata stands out as a successful embodiment of what a mid-size sedan should be while the Elantra aims at the more economical end of the spectrum. To get an idea of what differences these two goals produce, read on.

Performance

The 2017 Hyundai Sonata and Elantra have clearly staked out distinct territory from one another. As the larger of the two, the 2017 Sonata relies primarily on a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder powerplant that spawns 185 horsepower when linked to a standard 6-speed automatic transmission. It also gets a pleasant 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway*. For more muscle, a turbocharged 2 liter 4-cylinder motor fosters 245 hp. Teamed with a 6-speed automatic transmission that includes paddle shifters, it offers 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway*. Fuel savings is achieved with a turbocharged 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine joined to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for 177 horsepower with 28 mpg city and 36 mpg highway*. Leaning in a more frugal direction, the 2017 Elantra uses a standard 2 liter 4-cylinder engine tied to a 6-speed automatic transmission to reach 147 horsepower with 28 mpg city and 37 mpg highway*. This engine also has the option of a 6-speed manual transmission that slightly lowers fuel economy. A 1.6 liter 4-cylinder teamed with the 6-speed automatic gives 201 horsepower with 26 mpg city and 33 mpg highway*. Finally, higher fuel savings comes from a turbocharged 1.4 liter 4-cylinder machine hitched to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that creates 128 horses with 32 mpg city and 40 mpg country*.

Appearance

Despite size differences, both sedans feature similar silhouettes of conservatively curving roof lines and grooved channels highlighting the top and bottom edges of the doors. Greater contrasts are found up front where the 2017 Sonata displays a more compact grille relative to the Elantra. The Sonata also arranges the running lights horizontally beneath the headlights while the Elantra places them in a vertical configuration. Both vehicles have a choice of up to eight similar colors, but the beige option on the Elantra is somewhat unique.

Safety

Both cars have received good results from the NHTSA although, as the heftier of the two, the Sonata’s scores are a bit higher. The IIHS, though, grants both sedans the highest ratings in its crash tests. Each is equipped with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, tire pressure monitoring, rearview camera, and airbags including a driver’s knees airbag. High-tech add-ons might include automatic emergency braking, blind spot warnings, lane drifting alerts with lane holding capability, and rear cross-traffic alerts. The Elantra differs in adding pedestrian detection to its lineup while the Sonata utilizes dynamic headlight bending that reads changing directions to illuminate what's important.