2026 Hyundai Elantra review

2026 Hyundai Elantra Review: 

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is a small sedan with lots of interior space, a decent amount of cargo storage, and lots of standard tech features. Hyundai introduced a new trim, the SEL Sport Premium, to the lineup for 2026 and made a pair of USB-C ports in the second row standard on all trims. That makes it a lot easier for rear passengers to keep their phones charged up. The Elantra isn't Edmunds' highest-rated sedan, but it is often one of the most affordable. And its combination of low price and loads of features makes it a tempting proposition. 

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2026 Hyundai Elantra have?

Connectivity

Hyundai made Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ standard features when it redesigned the Elantra back in 2021. Great, right? Well, kind of. Upgrading to an Elantra with the 10.25-inch touchscreen means you lose wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. This is pretty silly, though if you're the kind of person who's going to plug in your phone every time you get in the car anyway, it may not make much of a difference to you. There are a pair of USB ports up front (USB-A on older models, USB-C on 2025 and newer), and higher trims get you rear USB ports before they're made standard in 2026. 

Infotainment

The standard Elantra touchscreen is an eight-inch unit that works just fine, though it may seem small compared to more modern (and much larger) touchscreens. The upgrade screen is 10.25 inches and looks great, though it doesn't take full advantage of its extra real estate when displaying Apple CarPlay®. 

Driver-Assist Tech

Things like forward collision mitigation, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance were all standard when the Elantra debuted. Going up a couple of trims also gets you desirable features like adaptive cruise control, which performed well in Edmunds' testing. In fact, the Elantra scored very well on its driver-assist tech, offering features that were more helpful than they were annoying, which is not always the case. 

How comfortable is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra? 

Front Seating

Edmunds' testing found the front seats comfortable, though the flat bottoms may make long road trips a bit of a slog. Higher trims of the Elantra come with power-adjustable driver's seats, though Edmunds has found the manual seats easy to adjust. The steering wheel also adjusts widely enough that finding a comfortable position isn't too difficult. Taller passengers will notice the step down into the front seats, but that's true of just about every economy sedan on Earth. 

Rear Seating

The back seat is a strong point for the Elantra, roomy enough for a pair of adults, even on long drives. That roominess also makes installing a car seat easy, though getting two adults and a car seat in the back makes for tight quarters. Again, that's typical for a sedan of this size, but just keep it in mind if you regularly travel with small kids and multiple adults. Legroom is good for adults, though adults taller than 6 feet may get close to brushing their head against the ceiling. 

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

There's good and less good here. The ride quality of the Hyundai Elantra is good, providing a smooth ride on most roads and doing an admirable job of soaking up bumps on the highway. Wind noise is pretty much unavoidable in an economy sedan and the Elantra is no exception, and engine noise can be intrusive if you're really stepping on it. That said, under normal driving conditions, you and your passengers can have a conversation without shouting. 

Does the 2026 Hyundai Elantra have good storage?

Cargo 

The Hyundai Elantra has about average cargo capacity at 14.4 cubic feet (1 cubic foot is about the size of a standard grocery bag). The rear seats fold forward but there's no pass-through from the trunk to the interior of the vehicle, so you won't have much luck transporting long, skinny items. 

Storage

Small-item storage is also just about average. The bin between the two front seats is a decent size, but otherwise, there isn't much space to put all your stuff. Edmunds' editors have found themselves putting their keys, wallets, and other assorted items onto the wireless charging area, which isn't ideal. 

How easy is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The front seat of the Hyundai Elantra is easy to get into, as even taller drivers won't have to duck too much to plop into the seat. That's less true in the back, where the stylish sloping roofline comes with a cost: You're going to have to duck to get in there. And that can make it challenging to fit larger car seats through the door opening. But once you've got the car seat in there, Edmunds' editors found it easy to install. 

Interior Layout and Visibility

There is a great mixture of physical knobs and buttons to complement the touchscreen. These knobs and buttons are easy to locate and don't feel cheap, making them satisfying to use. There are also some controls on the steering wheel, although these are less intuitive than what you'll find on some competitors. 

What’s the 2026 Hyundai Elantra like to drive?

Driving

The Hyundai Elantra is slow to accelerate, even compared to other economy sedans. It took more than 9 seconds to get to 60 mph in Edmunds' testing, making it one of the tardiest sedans out there. That becomes very noticeable when trying to get to freeway speeds on a short on-ramp. That said, Edmunds' editors were happy with how the Elantra brakes and how it handles itself through twists and turns. The transmission works just fine in routine driving conditions. 

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

The Hyundai Elantra gets an EPA estimate between 34 mpg and 36 mpg in combined driving, a number easily matched in Edmunds testing. The hybrid Elantra is a big improvement, getting an EPA-estimated 50 mpg in combined driving. 

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates