Why the Hyundai Elantra is the Perfect Car for First-Time Buyers

It what feels like the blink of an eye, the Hyundai Elantra has sprung to the forefront in the world of compact sedans and hatchbacks. It’s a world that typically has been dominated by the Japanese with the likes of the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, but now that the Americans have essentially backed out of the segment in favour of building more crossovers, it was time for someone to fill that gap and bring the fight to the Japanese Big 2. In other words: the time is now for the Koreans. 

Here’s a quick look at why a pre-owned Hyundai Elantra is the perfect car for first-time buyers.

Unique Styling

One of the reasons the Elantra has been so well received thanks to the way it looks. You can go as far back as 2010 to find an Elantra that looks nothing like anything else on the road thanks to aggressive headlight lenses, cool wheel choices and in 2013, there was even a sporty coupe body style available with punchy four-cylinder power and a manual transmission.

More recently, the Elantra has matured more on the styling front, adding features like refined headlights flanking a horizontal-bar grille, muscular creases on the doors and, in Sport form, twin tailpipes. The Elantra still looks like little else in the segment, but more recently it does so by looking more mature and upscale as well.

Generous Interior Features and Space

With low-mounted seats and a tall greenhouse, headroom is an issue only for the tallest occupants in an Elantra both front and back. Drivers, meanwhile, get a great view out through a wide windshield with minimal forward blind spots. Over-the-shoulder blind spots, meanwhile, are taken care of with a blind spot system that was available all the way back in 2018.

More recent Elantras, meanwhile, come standard with features such as heated front seats, air conditioning and an MP3 player while taking a step or two up from base will return features such as cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, lane departure warning and assist and rear cross-traffic alert. 

Engaging Powertrains

In 2020, power for the Elantra came courtesy of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine good for 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, and that could be paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or an intelligent continuously-variable automatic. 2021, meanwhile, saw the arrival of a hybrid version that paired a 1.6L four-cylinder engine with an EV motor for almost 140 hp and 195 pound-feet of torque, plus all the fuel savings associated with a hybrid.

Those seeking a little more driving fun have a variety of choices as well; in addition to the sporty coupe that was available, 2022 saw the addition of the N Line version of the Elantra which received a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine good for 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque as well as distinctive 18” wheels and rear wing.

There truly is a pre-owned Elantra for everyone, and it’s a must-see model for those looking to get a fun, stylish and well-equipped ride without breaking the bank.