Cars

2025 Hyundai Elantra Review: Gas Mileage and Interior Tour

JH
John H
Senior Cars Expert
8 min read

2025 Hyundai Elantra Review: Gas Mileage and Interior Tour

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra continues to impress as one of the most compelling compact sedans on the market. With its sleek design, advanced technology, and impressive fuel efficiency, the Elantra remains a top choice for budget-conscious buyers who don’t want to compromise on style or features. In this comprehensive 2025 Hyundai Elantra review, we’ll dive into the gas mileage, interior design, comfort, tech features, and overall performance to help you determine if this is the right car for your lifestyle.

2025 Hyundai Elantra Overview

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra builds on the success of previous models by refining its aesthetics, enhancing its fuel economy, and upgrading its interior technology. Hyundai has focused on delivering a more premium feel without raising the price point, making the Elantra a standout in its class. Whether you're commuting to work, running errands, or embarking on a road trip, the Elantra offers a balanced mix of efficiency, comfort, and reliability.

Available in multiple trim levels—including SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited—the 2025 Elantra caters to a wide range of preferences. From fuel-sipping base models to sporty performance-oriented trims, there’s an Elantra for nearly every type of driver. And with Hyundai’s growing reputation for quality and innovation, the 2025 Elantra is positioned to remain competitive against rivals like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda3.

Gas Mileage: Leading the Compact Sedan Class

One of the biggest draws of the 2025 Hyundai Elantra is its exceptional gas mileage. With fuel prices remaining a concern for many drivers, Hyundai has optimized the Elantra’s powertrain to deliver best-in-class efficiency. Whether you're driving around town or on the highway, the Elantra ensures you’ll spend less time at the pump.

Engine and Fuel Economy by Trim

The base 2025 Hyundai Elantra SE comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to maximize fuel efficiency. According to EPA estimates, the front-wheel-drive Elantra SE achieves:

For drivers seeking even better fuel economy, the Hyundai Elantra Blue trim is specifically engineered for efficiency. It features aerodynamic enhancements, low rolling resistance tires, and engine tuning to reduce fuel consumption. The Elantra Blue delivers an impressive:

That kind of efficiency translates to real-world savings—especially for daily commuters. Over the course of a year, driving 15,000 miles at an average gas price of $3.50 per gallon, the Elantra Blue can save you over $200 compared to less efficient competitors.

Performance and Driving Experience

While the Elantra prioritizes fuel economy, it doesn’t sacrifice driving dynamics. The suspension is tuned for comfort on rough roads while maintaining enough responsiveness for enjoyable handling. The steering is light but precise, making city driving and parking maneuvers effortless.

The CVT transmission is smooth and well-calibrated, minimizing the “rubber-band” effect often associated with such systems. Drivers can also take advantage of paddle shifters on higher trims to simulate gear changes for a more engaging feel. Additionally, the Elantra offers drive modes—Eco, Normal, and Sport—which allow you to tailor the car’s behavior to your driving style or road conditions.

For those craving more power, the Elantra N Line trim steps up with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. While fuel economy dips slightly due to the increased performance, the N Line still manages a respectable 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. The added horsepower provides quicker acceleration and a sportier driving experience, appealing to enthusiasts who want excitement without sacrificing too much efficiency.

Real-World Fuel Economy Insights

In real-world testing, the 2025 Elantra consistently achieves fuel economy close to its EPA estimates. Many owners report averaging between 34 and 38 mpg depending on driving conditions. Highway cruising is where the Elantra truly shines—maintaining 40+ mpg on longer trips with minimal wind resistance and steady speeds.

The Elantra also features an Eco Coach system that provides real-time feedback on your driving habits. By encouraging smoother acceleration, coasting ahead of stops, and maintaining optimal speeds, this system helps drivers maximize their fuel economy. Over time, users report noticeable improvements in their mpg after adopting the suggested behaviors.

2025 Hyundai Elantra interior tour with modern dashboard and infotainment screen

Interior Tour: Comfort, Design, and Technology

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra's interior represents a significant leap forward in terms of design, materials, and technology. Long gone are the days when compact sedans felt cheap or utilitarian. Hyundai has infused the Elantra with a sense of sophistication, making it feel more like a luxury car than a budget-friendly commuter.

Cabin Design and Materials

Walking into the 2025 Elantra, you're greeted by a modern, driver-focused cockpit. The dashboard features a flowing, minimalist design with soft-touch materials, metallic trim, and ambient lighting on higher trims. Even in the base SE model, the interior quality punches above its weight class.

The center stack is dominated by dual 10.25-inch displays—one for the digital instrument cluster and another for the infotainment system. These screens are seamlessly integrated, creating a widescreen “twin display” effect that feels futuristic and cohesive. The layout is intuitive, with physical climate controls still present for ease of use while driving.

Seating materials vary by trim. The SE and SEL models use durable cloth upholstery, while the Limited and N Line trims offer premium cloth or available leather. Front seats are supportive with ample bolstering, especially in the N Line, which features sport seats with red stitching for a more aggressive look.

Comfort and Space

The Elantra seats five passengers comfortably, with generous legroom and headroom in both the front and rear. Adults up to 6 feet tall will find the back seat suitable for long journeys, though taller passengers may notice a slightly pinched headroom due to the sloping roofline.

Front occupants benefit from well-adjusted seats with multiple power adjustments on higher trims. The driver’s seat includes lumbar support, enhancing comfort during extended drives. Rear passengers get a fold-down center armrest with cup holders, USB charging ports, and decent airflow from the rear vents.

Trunk space measures 14.2 cubic feet—on par with competitors like the Civic and Corolla. It’s large enough to fit several suitcases, grocery bags, or sports equipment. The trunk opening is wide, and the floor is flat, making loading and unloading easy. There’s no standard spare tire; instead, Hyundai includes a tire repair kit to save space and weight.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The centerpiece of the Elantra’s tech suite is the 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It runs on Hyundai’s latest Blue Link software and supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via wireless connectivity—no cables needed. The interface is fast, responsive, and logically organized, minimizing driver distraction.

The system includes HD Radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth streaming, and a six-speaker audio system. Upgrading to the Limited trim adds a premium Bose audio system with eight speakers, delivering crisp, balanced sound ideal for audiophiles.

The digital instrument cluster is equally impressive. It provides customizable views, including navigation mapping, audio info, and driver assistance alerts. The display is bright, high-resolution, and easy to read in all lighting conditions. A head-up display (HUD) is available on higher trims, projecting speed, navigation directions, and safety warnings directly onto the windshield.

Driver Assistance and Safety Features

Safety is a major highlight of the 2025 Elantra. Every trim comes standard with Hyundai SmartSense, a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Key features include:

Higher trims add features like Highway Driving Assist (HDA), which combines adaptive cruise and lane-centering for semi-autonomous driving on highways. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) helps prevent accidents when reversing out of parking spots.

The 2025 Elantra has earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and high marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reinforcing its reputation for safety.

Trim-Level Breakdown

Let’s take a closer look at what each 2025 Hyundai Elantra trim offers:

SE

The SE is the entry-level trim, but it’s far from basic. Standard features include:

Perfect for budget-minded buyers, the SE delivers great value with essential tech and safety features.

SEL

The SEL adds more convenience and comfort with:

This trim is ideal for those who want a bit more refinement without breaking the bank.

N Line

For drivers who crave sportiness, the N Line delivers:

The N Line offers a more aggressive look and feel, both inside and out, with enhanced handling and acceleration.

Limited

The top-tier Limited trim focuses on luxury and technology:

It’s the most well-equipped Elantra, offering near-luxury comfort at a mainstream price.

Elantra Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid

In addition to the standard gasoline models, Hyundai offers hybrid variants. The 2025 Elantra Hybrid uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, achieving an EPA-estimated 52 mpg city and 54 mpg highway. It’s a compelling option for eco-conscious drivers seeking maximum fuel savings.

The Elantra Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) takes things further with an electric-only range of about 30 miles. Once the battery is depleted, it operates like a regular hybrid, delivering up to 46 mpg combined. With a full charge and a full tank, the PHEV can travel over 600 miles—perfect for long commutes and daily errands without frequent refueling.