By Adrian Taylor and Nick Nelson
Aug. 26, 2021
Elantra vs. Sonata: A Tale of Two Hyundais
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra and the 2021 Hyundai Sonata are two siblings vying for attention in the competitive compact and midsize car markets, respectively. The two models share the same badge and lineage, with the Elantra offering a full redesign for the 2021 model year. Both models offer handsome styling, a wealth of standard technology features, good reliability, and plenty of value for your hard-earned money.
There are certain trade-offs as you meander through trim levels, though the overall experience is pretty similar for both cars. Yes, there are sportier options out there, but these Hyundai models hold their own in a sea of worthy competitors.
Keep in mind that the scores on our site are constantly updated as new expert reviews and data become available. Therefore, the scores mentioned in this slideshow may not match the scores in our reviews.
Read on to learn about these two sedans – one compact, one midsize – and learn which one is best for you.
Pricing
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Elantra
Coming in hot and affordable with a starting price tag of $19,650, the redesigned 2021 is a solid value. The Elantra also has several other trims that offer additional standard equipment, with the range-topping Limited model coming in at $25,450.
Pricing for 2021 Sonata ranges from $23,950 for the base model up to $33,950 for the Sonata Limited trim. As with the Elantra, a number of mid-range trims are available.
While the Sonata is more expensive, keep in mind that this model is part of the midsize segment, while the Elantra is a compact car. Still, as far as price is concerned, the numbers don’t lie: the Elantra takes this round.
Reliability
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Elantra
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra earned a reliability score of 87/100 from J.D. Power, while the 2021 Hyundai Sonata earned an 80/100 from the same organization. The Elantra’s score is considered “Great” by the organization, while the Sonata’s score is considered “Average.” With the higher rating, the Elantra wins this category.
Both the Elantra and Sonata come with a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Seat Comfort
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Sonata
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata offers superior seat comfort in this match-up. While cloth, manually adjustable seats come standard in both models, the Sonata can be had with amenities like suede-and-leather or leather upholstery. Heated and ventilated front seats are also available. The Sonata’s five seats are also supportive and comfortable on longer drives, though some rivals boast better rear-row legroom.
The 2021 Elantra also has five seats and sufficient room for occupants in both rows. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are available.
Cargo Space
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Sonata
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata wins the cargo category with 16 cubic feet of storage capacity. Those figures are slightly above average for the midsize car class. You can opt for a hands-free power trunk lid.
The 2021 Elantra trails its sibling with 14.2 cubic feet of storage capacity, with no hatchback option for the 2021 model year. These numbers are above average for the compact car segment. As with the Sonata, a hands-free power trunk lid is available.
Interior Quality
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Sonata
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata bests the 2021 Hyundai Elantra in terms of interior quality. The Sonata comes with a surplus of inviting, soft-touch surfaces. In fact, it goes above and beyond with regard to interior components and offers one of the most well-built and attractive cabins in the midsize segment.
Compared to the Sonata, the Elantra feels much more spartan on the inside. Though the Elantra’s interior build quality and general styling are fine, there is an abundance of hard plastics throughout the cabin. Some of the Elantra’s compact-car rivals have more stylish cabins, as well.
Interior Features
Winner: Tie
The 2021 Hyundai Sonata comes standard with an 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A wide array of upgrades are available, including a 10.25-inch touch screen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless device charging. You can also opt for dual-zone automatic climate control and a sunroof.
The Hyundai Elantra offers similar interior niceties, and thanks to its 2021 redesign, it’s available with more high-tech features than the Sonata. The base Elantra comes standard with an 8-inch touch screen, wireless smartphone compatibility, HD Radio, and two USB ports. The same 10.25-inch touch screen found in the Sonata can be had here, though this setup comes with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
These two vehicles are too similar technologically to declare a winner, so this one is a tie.
Acceleration
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Elantra
The redesigned Hyundai Elantra comes standard with a 147-horsepower four-cylinder, which provides modest but adequate performance on the road. It’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The N Line model offers the most powertrain in the lineup, with a 201-horsepower turbo-four. This engine can be had with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. A more powerful, performance-oriented N model will arrive later this year.
The Sonata comes standard with a 191-horsepower 2.5 liter four-cylinder, which is unexceptional but not awful. An available 180-horsepower turbo-four offers a bit more pep off the line, but not much. Both are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line’s 290-horsepower four-cylinder provides much more pep. The N Line’s engine features a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic.
Fuel Economy
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Elantra
The standard 2021 Hyundai Elantra returns 33 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway, which is fantastic for a small sedan. The higher-end SEL and Limited models get 31 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway, while the N Line returns 25/34 mpg city/highway with the manual transmission and 28/36 mpg when paired with the automatic.
The base Sonata gets 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. While these estimates aren’t segment-leading, they’re slightly better than the fuel economy ratings of some rivals. N Line models get 23/33 mpg city/highway.
If you’re truly focused on fuel economy, head over to our 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid and 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid pages.
Ride and Handling
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra wins this category because it offers an overall better ride-and-handling experience than the Sonata. The base Elantra returns a comfort-centric ride that easily mitigates most bumps in the road. If you want a sportier experience, the Elantra N Line does just that. Front-wheel drive is standard in every Elantra.
The Sonata also has composed handling and maintains a comfortable ride over most road surfaces. However, it’s far from sporty, and the ride feels a bit firm at times.
Safety
Winner: 2021 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra received a five-out-of-five star rating from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the highest score of “Good” in all six crash tests administered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Elantra offers a number of standard driver-assistance aids, such as blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, and lane keep assist. Optional features include adaptive cruise control and highway driving assist.
The 2021 Sonata received nearly identical ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, and both cars offer a similar lineup of standard and available driver-assistance aids.
However, the Elantra Limited trim earned a Top Safety Pick commendation from the IIHS. While it’s only one trim level that earned the accolade, it puts the Elantra over the edge to take the win in this close contest.
Overall Winner
Winner: Tie
Ultimately, these two siblings both have plenty to offer consumers, and this showdown ends in a tie. Thanks to its 2021 redesign, the Elantra offers some advantages over the Sonata in terms of available driver-assistance aids. However, the Sonata and Elantra each have their pros and cons, and depending on your needs, either one of these models is a good pick.
Keep in mind that the Sonata is several thousand dollars more than the Elantra, and offers only marginal advantages for that price hike. Of course, the Sonata is in a larger vehicle class, and thus offers advantages like more interior options and a more spacious cabin.
