2023 Hyundai Elantra: Choosing the Right Trim

When battling some of the world’s more impressive cars, a competitor must be as accomplished as the 2023 Hyundai Elantra. Butting heads each day with the likes of the Honda Civic, the Toyota Corolla, the Mazda3, and the Kia Forte, to name a few, requires a car’s A-game. That’s precisely what you get with the Elantra sedan.

We like the Elantra for its roomy and comfy interior and array of advanced safety technologies. We are also impressed with its multiple powertrain choices, beautifully sculpted exterior, and gold-plated powertrain warranty. There is a hybrid (HEV) system among the powertrains, but we detail the Elantra Hybrid elsewhere.

The biggest news for the 2023 Elantra, which returns virtually unchanged, is the loss of the 6-speed manual transmission for the N Line. Adjustments to the options packages round out the 2023 revisions.

Hyundai has retained the same grade lineup for 2023: SE, SEL, N Line, Limited and N.

Providing the power for the SE, SEL, and Limited is a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine. It sends output to the front wheels by way of an automatic transmission. According to the EPA, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra is rated at 33 miles per gallon in the city, 42 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg in combined driving.

2023 Hyundai Elantra SE (starting at $20,500)

Although the SE anchors the Elantra’s trim-level lineup, it doesn’t skimp on standard features. They include 15-inch alloy wheels, Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, auto on-off projector headlights, and hill-start assist. Cruise control is included, as well.

You will find standard fare inside like air conditioning, a manual height-adjustable driver’s seat, remote keyless entry, and cloth seating. A 4.4-inch driver-information display, two USB ports, and a 12-volt power port also come standard.

An 8-inch touchscreen provides the foundation for the infotainment system that features a 4-speaker audio system with redundant steering-wheel controls. Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto complete the connectivity highlights.

In addition to government-mandated safety items like stability control and seven airbags, Hyundai packs a generous number of advanced safety technologies. They include a forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Also included are high-beam assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, safe-exit warning, and driver-attention warning.

Hyundai doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for the SE.

Adding the $1,045 destination fee to the SE base price brings the total to $21,545. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to about $387 per month. See 2023 Hyundai Elantra SE models for sale

2023 Hyundai Elantra SE includes:

Remote keyless entry – You can unlock and lock the vehicle remotely when in range using the fob.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – Allow your smartphone to interface with your vehicle. Not only can you access the music on your phone, but you can also send and receive messages, make calls, and so forth through your vehicle’s media system. This is all accomplished without cables.

Suite of driver aids – Includes forward-collision warning with emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-changing assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and high-beam assist.

2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL (starting at $21,750)

Figuring to be only $1,250 more than the SE, the SEL brings some highly desirable features. For example, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a hands-free power trunk lid. Other frills included are 16-inch alloy wheels, a 6-speaker audio system, satellite-radio capability, and Bluelink connected services.

For $1,900, you may add the Convenience Package. You gain a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, voice recognition, a 10.25-inch LCD cluster, and adaptive cruise control. Also included are heated front seats, heated outboard mirrors, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and advanced forward-collision mitigation. Adding this package reverts Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from a wireless connection to a wired one, but it does come with more USB ports.

Adding the $1,045 destination fee to the SEL base price equals an estimated $22,795. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down works out to approximately $410 per month. See 2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL models for sale

2023 Hyundai Elantra SEL includes:

Bluelink – This is an app-driven service Hyundai provides to help owners stay connected to their Hyundai vehicles. The subscription service gives drivers remote access to complete tasks like starting the car, checking the current fuel range, and adjusting the cabin temperature.

Proximity Key entry – If the key fob is on your person, the doors automatically unlock when you touch the door handle. Push-button start is paired with keyless entry.

Dual-zone automatic climate control – A set-and-forget system, it divides the vehicle into left and right regions. It provides separate temperature settings for each zone. Once set, it automatically maintains the preset temperatures.

2023 Hyundai Elantra N Line (starting at $27,050)

Hyundai provides the N Line with a 201-hp, 1.6-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine attached to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Its estimated combined mileage is 31 mpg (28 city, 36 highway).

With its turbo engine, the N Line is more performance-oriented. It adds elements like a multilink rear suspension, larger front brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome twin-exhaust outlets, and alloy pedals. You also acquire a sunroof, LED taillights, heated outboard mirrors, a 10.25-inch LCD gauge cluster, wireless phone charging, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The seating is cloth and leather.

Other standard equipment includes Hyundai Digital Key, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, and voice recognition.

Hyundai doesn’t provide any factory-installed options for the N Line.

Adding the $1,045 destination fee to the N Line base price totals an estimated $28,095. At 3% interest and 60-month financing with no money down, the monthly payment works out to about $505. See 2023 Hyundai Elantra N Line models for sale

2023 Hyundai N Line includes:

Turbo engine – This is a 201-hp, turbocharged 4-cylinder. It also generates 195 lb-ft of torque. A 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission spins the front wheels.

Digital Key – You can enter and start your car with your smartphone. You can even start it remotely.

Wireless charging – Any Qi-compatible smartphone can be charged without plugging in a cable.

2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited (starting at $26,350)

In addition to gaining the features included in the SEL Convenience Package, the Limited grade builds on the SEL trim by adding 17-inch alloy wheels. Also added are rear-parking assist with automatic braking, LED headlights, and heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals. Leather seating, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat are included.

An 8-speaker Bose audio system and Hyundai Highway Drive Assist round out the Limited’s upgrades.

There are no available factory-installed options.

Adding the $1,045 destination fee to the Limited base price brings the total to an estimated $27,395. Financing for 60 months at 3% interest with no money down works out to about $492 per month. See 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited models for sale

2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited includes:

Highway Drive Assist – A semi-autonomous driving system that can steer, brake, and accelerate the vehicle without driver input in limited situations.

Auto-dimming rearview mirror – Using photosensors, it recognizes bright headlights closing from behind. It then automatically dims the reflection of those lights.

Mirrors with integrated turn signals – These are power outboard rearview mirrors with turn-signal repeaters installed on their outer shells. They are heated, as well.

2023 Hyundai Elantra N (starting at $32,650)

Not to be confused with the N Line trim, the Elantra N is a distinct model bred for race tracks but is nearly as comfortable as an everyday driver. Tuned on Germany’s Nurburgring track, the N uses a 276-hp, 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to make it go. You can mate it with a 6-speed manual transmission or pony up $1,500 for the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

The list of standard features is long, beginning with five drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, N, and Custom. Launch control, 19-inch alloy wheels, an electronic limited-slip differential, an electronically controlled suspension, larger brakes, and a rear spoiler accent the N’s racier elements. LED exterior lights (auto on/off headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights) and heated, leather-trimmed front seats with microsuede inserts are included, too.

Other amenities are dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10.25-inch LCD cluster display, Proximity Key entry with push-button start, and Digital Key. Wireless phone charging, heated outboard mirrors with integrated turn signals, and alloy pedals are included.

Among its infotainment goodies are two USB ports, a 10.25-inch touchscreen, an 8-speaker Bose audio system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Bluetooth connectivity and navigation are standard.

The N gets all the advanced driver aid/safety technologies found in the SE, as well as rear-park assist.

Hyundai doesn’t offer any factory-installed options for the N.

Adding a higher $1,095 destination fee to the N base price totals an estimated $33,745. With no money down, financing for 60 months at 3% interest works out to about $606 per month. See 2023 Hyundai Elantra N models for sale

2023 Hyundai Elantra N includes:

Launch control – This is an electronic aid to assist drivers in accelerating at the maximum rate from a standstill.

Electronic limited-slip differential – Sensors monitoring the drive wheels on the same axle automatically send more torque to the wheel with grip when the other wheel is slipping.

N sport seats – These are leather-trimmed seats with microsuede inserts. Lighter and lower than the standard seats, they feature beefier bolstering to help keep you upright and centered in the corners.