Hyundai Elantra vs Hyundai Sonata: Which Is Right For You?
Rich Taber has nearly three decades of professional writing experience, including eight years as an automotive columnist for The Standard-Times newspaper, seven years on staff at WheelsTV as a scriptwriter, production manager, and editorial vice-president, and five years as CEO of RPM News Weekly. He has written extensively for numerous regional and local publications and developed public relations products for many non-profit organizations. Having studied both engineering and liberal arts at the University of Notre Dame and worked in audio/visual services, electronic sales, graphic design, and event and entertainment production, he brings a well-balanced skill set to his automotive writing.
In comparing the Elantra with the Sonata, Hyundai begs the question, “Are you buying the car you need or the car you want?”.
Both offer levels of comfort and efficiency, but after that, there are important differences that separate the popular family-friendly sedans.
Will these differences actually matter to you? I tested both to take a closer look at the two vehicles and see what shakes out.
Table of Contents
- Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Sonata Comparison: At a Glance
- Tale of the Tape
- Cabin Quality & Design
- Current Hyundai Elantra Deals & Incentives
- Current Hyundai Sonata Deals & Incentives
- Performance & Powertrains
- Safety Equipment & Scores
- So Which Is Better - Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai Sonata?
- Car Research & Comparisons
- Frequently Asked Questions
Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Sonata Comparison: At a Glance
What's Similar?
- Both are stylish and fuel-efficient sedans offered by Hyundai.
- Both come standard with several driver-assistance features.
- Both offer available features like a sunroof, heated seats, and a wireless charging pad.
- Both receive minor updates for 2024, including new exterior color options and potentially updated infotainment systems.
What's Different?
- Budget: Elantra starts cheaper, but feature-matched trims might cost similarly.
- Passenger and cargo space: Sonata offers significantly more room.
- Driving experience: Elantra is sportier, Sonata prioritizes comfort.
- Fuel economy: Both have efficient options, Sonata hybrid leads overall.
Tale of the Tape
Think "compact agility" for the Elantra, "spacious sedan" for the Sonata.
While the Elantra's 180.3-inch length makes it easy to zip in and out of tight spots, the Sonata's 189.8-inch frame translates to generous legroom (42.9 inches in front, 39.6 inches in back) and headroom (38.5 inches in front, 37.7 inches in back), perfect for families or taller passengers.
Cargo space follows suit, with the Sonata's 16.1 cubic feet easily swallowing groceries and luggage compared to the Elantra's 14.2 cubic feet.
However, if parking in tight spaces is your daily struggle, the Elantra's smaller footprint might save your sanity.
Cabin Quality & Design
The Elantra adopts a modern, sporty approach with available two-tone interiors. Some materials might feel less premium.
The Sonata offers a more upscale and elegant ambiance with higher-quality materials throughout and boasts more available features, creating a luxurious feel.
While keyless entry comes standard in the Sonata, it's optional in the Elantra. Standard alloy wheels grace the Sonata, while the Elantra requires an upgrade.
Both receive 8-inch touchscreens with standard connectivity features.
Current Hyundai Elantra Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Hyundai | Elantra | ||||
| 2024 | Hyundai | Elantra | $1,000 | 3.89% | $199/month for 36 months, $3,499 due at signing | 4/30/24 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Hyundai deals
Current Hyundai Sonata Deals & Incentives
| Year | Make | Model | Cash Incentives (up to) | Best Avail. APR | Lease Offers | Expiration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Hyundai | Sonata | ||||
| 2024 | Hyundai | Sonata | $750 | 3.99% | $289/month for 36 months, $3,499 due at signing | 4/30/24 |
You may qualify for additional deals and incentives, check out this month's Hyundai deals
Performance & Powertrains
Eco-conscious drivers might gravitate towards the Elantra's 147-horsepower base engine or fuel-efficient hybrid option.
Performance enthusiasts, however, will find the Sonata's 191-horsepower base engine more satisfying, with the N Line trim unleashing a mighty 290 horsepower. The Elantra N Line counters with a slightly higher 276 horsepower (when opting for the manual transmission), but its 201-horsepower standard engine falls short.
- Elantra: Base engine is 147 hp, available 201 hp N Line trim (276 hp with manual transmission).
- Sonata: Base engine is 191 hp, available hybrid option with 154 hp combined, available N Line trim with 290 hp.
Safety Equipment & Scores
Both cars received top NHTSA ratings, giving you peace of mind on the road. Standard safety features like blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning further enhance security.
The Elantra aced all IIHS tests, earning "Good" ratings across the board. The Sonata earned mostly "Good" ratings, but received an "Acceptable" rating on the headlight test.
Both cars share essential safety features like collision warnings, emergency braking, and rearview cameras.
So Which Is Better - Hyundai Elantra or Hyundai Sonata?
After testing both, I still think this question is best answered by returning to the assessment of need versus want.
Choose the Elantra if you prioritize fuel efficiency, affordability, sportier handling, and don't need a lot of interior space.
Choose the Sonata if you prioritize comfort, interior space, more powerful engines, higher quality materials, and more features.
