Trims and Powertrain
The front-wheel-drive 2023 Hyundai Elantra comes in three well-equipped trim levels: SE, SEL, and Limited. Their powertrain pairs a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This small sedan is prized for its fuel efficiency; the SE trim has been rated by the EPA to achieve 33 miles per gallon around town and 42 mpg on the highway, while the SEL and Limited return 30 city/40 highway.
SE
The SE mixes no-nonsense attributes such as cloth seats and 15-inch wheels with some more upscale amenities like remote keyless entry, automatic headlights, LED daytime running lights, and dual USB ports. Hyundai SmartSense comes standard too, adding driver attention warning, lane keeping assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane following assist, and safe exit warning. For infotainment, it gets the basic 8-inch touchscreen system featuring wireless smartphone integration (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), Bluetooth for hands-free phone use and audio streaming, and a sound system.
SEL
The SEL gets larger wheels (16-inch) and these other upgrades: proximity entry, a hands-free trunk, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, a one-touch auto up/down driver’s window, and illuminated vanity mirrors. Hyundai offers the optional Convenience Package to really load up this trim with heated front seats, wireless phone charging, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, an electronic parking brake, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, heated exterior mirrors, and 17-inch wheels. The Convenience Package also adds safety and multimedia upgrades. The SmartSense suite receives adaptive cruise control and an advanced version of the forward collision system with cyclist and junction turning detection. The infotainment touchscreen increases to a segment-leading 10.25 inches with this package, but that screen is not compatible with wireless smartphone integration, so that feature reverts to the plug-in variety. Navigation, voice recognition, HD radio, and SiriusXM satellite radio are also added via this package.
Limited
The Limited is loaded, getting leather seats, a power driver’s seat with lumbar support, Hyundai Digital Key, LED headlights and taillights, exterior mirrors with built-in turn-signal indicators, a 60/40-split fold-down rear seatback, and ambient interior lighting with colors that can be customized to your preferences. It also gets all of the features listed as part of the SEL Convenience Package, along with adaptive cruise control plus highway driving assist, rear parking sensors, and rear collision-avoidance assist in the safety category and improved sound with a Bose audio system with a subwoofer.