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The new 2025 Hyundai Elantra.

Courtesy photo

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Inside the new 2025 Hyundai Elantra.

Courtesy photo

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The new 2025 Hyundai Elantra.

Courtesy photo

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Inside the new 2025 Hyundai Elantra.

Courtesy photo

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The new 2025 Hyundai Elantra.

Courtesy photo

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Inside the new 2025 Hyundai Elantra.

Courtesy photo

❮ ❯

Even though the Elantra has been an entry level sedan from Hyundai, the 2025 Elantra Hybrid Limited really caught our attention with its sleek, parametric design — sharp angles, clean lines and its distinctive cascading grille. It stood out in a crowd yet seemed understated, hinting that there was substance underneath to match its style.

First impressions and design

Externally, the Elantra Hybrid blended attention-grabbing design with refinement. Our test ride came with 17â€â€™inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated side mirrors and a panoramic sunroof that signaled it was something different, but in a very subtle way. The profile was sporty yet grounded; the rear swoop suggested motion even at rest.

Inside, Hyundai offered a refreshingly modern space. Heated and ventilated front seats adorned in soft synthetic leather, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone climate control and wireless charging for our phones brought a premium feel to a car that’s still priced under $30,000. An eightâ€â€™speaker Bose sound system made every drive an audio experience.

The 10.25â€â€™inch infotainment display was intuitive and paired with a digital gauge cluster that was clear without clutter. Deanne especially valued the minimalist layout; being able to simplify the instrument display let her focus on driving rather than deciphering tons of icons.

Daily commute to Provo: Power meets efficiency

On our first day commuting with the Elantra, the 1.6â€â€™liter, fourâ€â€™cylinder hybrid powertrain — paired with an electric motor producing a combined 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet torque — felt surprisingly strong yet composed. Merging onto Interstate 15 from Springville was smooth; the dual-clutch automatic transmission was quick to shift and kept the motor in the best range possible.

The handling? Very good, as the ride softened Utah’s notorious pavement imperfections. Best of all, the car’s instant electric torque provided just enough get-up-and-go without lag that would come with a gasoline only engine.

Over the week, with commutes to and from work (mostly on Provo’s arterial roads, with a thoughtful mix of city stops and highway stretches), the Elantra returned 57 mpg (real-world average) — above its EPA combined rating of about 50 mpg for Limited trims and rivaling the 54 mpg base Blue model’s efficiency.

Everyday life: Errands, Costco and hardware runs

Over the weekend, we had errands to run that included a Costco trip: bulky groceries, cleaning supplies and a flat-pack shelf all fit comfortably in the 14.2-cubic-foot trunk. The 60/40 folding rear seats (with pass-through) made it easy to transport longer items, like a roll of fencing from the local hardware store — and yet, luggage space remained fully intact.

Parking was quick and easy with the included rear view camera.

Comfort, tech and safety

The Limited trim came loaded with features: proximity key, push-button start, power sunroof, SiriusXM trial, voice recognition, dual-zone temps, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats with memory and lumbar support, auto-dimming rearview mirror, navigation, wireless charger and the Bose system.

Safety tech stood out. Hyundai’s SmartSense included automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise with highway driving assist — keeping us centered on Provo’s freeway and highways with ease.

We appreciated how the safety systems felt intuitive — not intrusive — making long drives feel safe and stress free.

Longer drive: Sunday outing to Payson Canyon

Sunday afternoon, we took the Elantra up Payson Canyon for a scenic drive. The ride was quiet, the cabin well insulated, and the engine only came fully alive during steeper grades. On the winding roads, body roll was limited, and the chassis felt confidence-inspiring rather than sporty.

The dual-clutch once again offered smooth shifts; Sport mode gave a bit more throttle response, though we spent most of the time in Normal or Eco, savoring canyon views. The trip used only minimal gasoline, and our weekly mpg tally ended even higher after Sunday’s drive.

At the end of the week

The Elantra Hybrid balanced responsive electric torque and refined gas engine performance that delivered an engaging yet economical drive.

Hyundai’s seventh-gen parametric design extended into a well-built interior that felt premium for its price. Heated and ventilated seats, a sunroof, Bose audio and thoughtful tech created comfort for both of us on our daily drives.

With 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, folding rear seats and a roomy backseat, it was practical for groceries, hardware store finds and even road-trip gear.

SmartSense safety systems are user-friendly and trustworthy, helpful both in Utah’s city gridlock and high-speed highway cruising.

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited delivered a week’s worth of luxury and practicality — all for roughly $30,000. In our normal week, we averaged 57 mpg, experienced a quiet yet responsive ride and carried Costco loads and canyon supplies with ease.

For those looking for a daily driver that balances fuel economy (57 mpg real-world!), safety, comfort and modern design — without breaking the bank — the Elantra Hybrid Limited is not just another commuter car: it’s a smart, stylish solution to everyday driving.

Base price: $29,450

Destination charge: $1,150

Price as driven: $30,810