2023 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2023 Honda Civic: Price, Specs, and More

The compact car market is more competitive than ever, with an increasing number of drivers looking for cars that are fuel-efficient, reliable, and comfortable. The Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic are two of the most well-known players in the game, both having been on the market for decades. While the Civic has traditionally been one of the top-selling compact cars on the market, the Elantra is quickly gaining ground.

We want to show drivers in the Auburn area what to look for when buying a new car. Below, you’ll find a side-by-side comparison of these two vehicles to help you with your search.

New Hyundai Elantra For Sale

Trim Levels

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra comes in seven different trim levels: SE, SEL, Blue Hybrid, Limited, N Line, Limited Hybrid, and N. All trims offer a sleek and sophisticated style that makes the Elantra look more luxurious than the price tag reveals. LED daytime running lights are standard, and LED taillights are also standard on the Limited and N trims. The N Line and N trims have a sportier exterior, displaying a unique front bumper and rear fascia as well as twin exhaust pipes.

The 2023 Honda Civic comes in eight different trim levels: LX, Sports Sedan, Sport Hatchback, EX Sedan, EX-L Hatchback, Touring Sedan, Sport Touring Hatchback, and Type R Hatchback. The availability of both a sedan and a hatchback is one feature that sets the Civic apart from the Elantra. The Type R is the sportier version of the Civic, featuring smooth lines and a simplified style that doesn’t stand out on the road as much as the previous version of the Type R.

Performance

The Elantra gets its power from several different engines, depending on the trim level. The SE, SEL, and Limited models have a respectable 147-horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 132 lb-ft of torque. The N Line switches things up by utilizing a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, upping the horsepower to 201 and torque to 195 lb-ft. The sporty N has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder under its hood, generating 286 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. As for the hybrid models, both are equipped with an in-line 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, generating 104 horsepower and 109 lb-ft of torque.

The fully gas-powered Civic’s LX and Sport trims come standard with a 158-horsepower 2-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 138 lb-ft of torque. The EX and Touring trims get an upgraded 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which ups the torque slightly to 177 lb-ft. The Type R’s engine gives the best performance — a 315-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder capable of generating 310 lb-ft of torque.

Gas Mileage

When it comes to fuel economy, the Elantra really shines. The EPA estimates the 2.0-liter four-cylinder will reach up to 33 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway, while the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine will achieve up to 28 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. The high-performing N model achieves an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 31 on the mpg highway for the manual transmission and 20 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway with the automatic transmission.

As you might expect, the hybrid options are your best bet for fuel economy, as they’re rated at 53 mpg in the city and 56 on the highway.

The Civic’s gas mileage is competitive but not quite as thrifty as the Elantra’s. The base engines reach 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, while the sport Type R achieves an estimated 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The lack of a hybrid engine means that no Civic that even comes close to competing with the top Elantra for fuel efficiency.

Interior

The futuristic look of the Elantra is highlighted by a single LED strip that flows along the air vent that goes across the width of the car, from the steering column to the passenger’s-side door panel. The Civic, on the other hand, goes for a more downplayed look that features a full-width honeycomb-patterned mesh design across the dashboard that camouflages the air vents.

As for passenger space, both compact cars have a comfortable amount of space for passengers and cargo. The Elantra takes the edge with slightly more front headroom, rear headroom, and rear leg room. The Civic has a slight edge in cargo space, with 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space compared to 14.2 cubic feet in the Elantra. The Civic hatchbacks take the top spot for cargo capacity with 24.5 cubic feet.

Technology

The Elantra comes standard with an 8-inch infotainment touch screen and analog gauges for the instrument cluster. If you’re looking for an upgrade, opt for the optional 10.3-inch infotainment touch screen paired with a second 10.3-inch digital gauge. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Wi-Fi are all standard features here, and a voice-recognition system allows you to operate features such as climate control and heated seats without taking your hands off the wheel.

The Civic’s infotainment touch screens are slightly smaller, starting with the standard 7-inch and then upgrading to an optional 9-inch unit and 10.2-inch digital display cluster. Standard tech features are also on offer here — Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, whereas Wi-Fi is optional.

Warranty

With cars as reliable as the Elantra and the Civic, the manufacturers are confident in offering substantial warranty packages. Although the Civic’s warranty is sufficient, the Elantra’s warranty beats it in every capacity. The standard warranty on the Elantra is 5 years or 60,000 miles, compared to 3 years or 36,000 miles for the Civic. The powertrain warranty of the Elantra is nearly double that of the Civic —10 years or 100,000 miles versus 5 years or 60,000 miles for the Civic.

Pricing

The MSRPs for the Elantra’s trim levels are:

• SE – $22,065.
• SEL – $23,315.
• Blue Hybrid – $25,665.
• Limited – $27,915.
• N Line – $28,615.
• Limited Hybrid – $30,265.
• N – $34,015.

For the Civic, the MSRPs are:

• LX – $24,545.
• Sport Sedan – $26,145.
• Sport Hatchback – $26,945.
• EX Sedan – $27,545.
• EX-L Hatchback – $29,245.
• Touring Sedan – $31,145.
• Sport Touring Hatchback – $32,045.
• Type-R – $44,390.

Bottom Line

Both the 2023 Hyundai Elantra and the Honda Civic are great choices if you’re in the market for a compact car. Although the Civic has been around for a bit longer, it’s facing stiff competition with the Elantra. The Elantra’s available hybrid engine, exceptional gas mileage, generous passenger space, and impressive standard technology make it the winner of this head-to-head battle. Contact us at Hyundai of Auburn in Auburn, Alabama, if you’re ready to come in and take a look. We have used Elantras for sale as well!

image courtesy of HyundaiUSA.com