The 2024 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2024 Honda Civic Sedan

It cannot be understated that the Honda Civic is an impressive car. It’s been around in some shape or form since the Nixon administration, and in the decades hence it’s become one of the most trusted compact family cars.

So, how does anyone compete? Enter the Hyundai Elantra. With over three decades in the global automotive market, the Elantra has an incredibly impressive track record of its own. It won the North American Car of the Year award in 2021, and it’s proven its worth in the small car segment time and time again.

And yet, there can only be one “best car.”

Elantra vs. Civic: Price and Value

First off, let’s address the question, “Which is the best small car for the money?”

Both the Elantra and Civic are value cars, aimed largely at families and young drivers with a sense of frugality. As with almost all nameplates, both are available with different trims, which come with different features and, therefore, different price tags.

2024 Hyundai Elantra base MSRP by trim (excluding hybrid models):

• Hyundai Elantra SE: $21,475
• Hyundai Elantra SEL: $23,425
• Hyundai Elantra Limited: $26,915

• Honda Civic LX: $23,950
• Honda Civic Sport: $25,550
• Honda Civic EX: $26,950
• Honda Civic Touring: $30,550

Elantra vs. Civic: Fuel Economy and Hybridization

When people think “small cars with good gas mileage,” the Elantra and Civic are almost always near the top of the list. So, how do they compare?

Here’s how EPA-rated fuel economy shakes out, based on the engine and trim configurations with the best gas mileage:

	2024 Hyundai Elantra	2024 Honda Civic
City MPG	32	33
Highway MPG	41	42
Combined MPG	36	36

Interestingly, while the Civic is rated at one mile per gallon higher for city and highway, the overall combined MPG is the same, effectively meaning that both cars are almost exactly neck-and-neck.

Do we call it a draw? Well, not exactly.

You may have noticed that, when we were talking about the Elantra’s MSRP a second ago, we added the caveat that we didn’t include the price of hybrid models. That’s because the pricing of the 2024 Elantra Hybrid has yet to be confirmed, as of this writing. Make no mistake though, a hybrid version will indeed be available in 2024.

Looking at the 2023 model year, the Hyundai Elantra Blue was rated at an astonishing 53 in the city and 56 on the highway, for a combined 54 miles to the gallon. Considering the fact that the drivetrains haven’t undergone any notable changes, it’s safe to assume the 2024 Elantra Hybrid will produce similarly impressive results.

Meanwhile, a hybrid version of the Civic is still conspicuously absent from the market for 2024, with Honda deciding to push development off another year. So, for now, the Elantra remains the top dog in the battle of compact cars with the best gas mileage.

Elantra vs. Civic: Infotainment and Convenience

Nowadays, cars are expected to do a lot more than just get you from A to B—they’ve got to do it in style. The Elantra and Civic both have some pretty great tech options to help get the job done.

The Civic’s base infotainment screens are dual 7-inch deals, and at the higher end, it has a 10.2-inch driver info screen behind the wheel and a 9-inch color touch screen, complete with a volume knob for those with a taste for the old school. HondaLink, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto are standard across all trims, but extras like Sirius XM and HD Radio are only available in the top-line Touring edition. Satellite navigation and wireless Qi device charging are also only available at the highest price point, and USB charging ports are absent from lower trim levels as well.

The Elantra’s standard screen setup is a 4.2-inch gauge cluster paired with an 8-inch touch screen, while the other two trims get big ole dual 10.25-inch color display screens, which extend across the dash in one seamless panel. Bluetooth, dynamic voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HD Radio appear in all models, while Sirius XM capability is left out of the SE. Wireless device charging is also only available in the SEL and Limited models. However, the Elantra has three USB ports (one in front, two in back) across every model, and the higher-end version also has something not present in any Civic models: a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which can also be added to the SEL the Convenience Package.

These cars are both quite well-appointed—especially given their modest cost—but the Elantra’s larger display screens and Wi-Fi capability give it the edge.

Elantra vs. Civic: Exterior Styling

Both cars have a dynamic and slick outer design. The Civic sports a fastback-inspired roofline that tapers toward the antenna fin, LED head and taillights, and a sporty, aerodynamic stance. It also boasts a selection of eight eye-catching exterior colors. Simply put, it’s a really nice car to look at, and perhaps this is why it’s remained unchanged from 2023.

On the other hand, the Elantra has received a noticeable facelift since last year, giving it a more angular approach that its designers describe as “sharklike.” A redesigned two-piece front grille lines the slightly tweaked LED headlights, and the rear has been touched up with an H-shaped motif. Hyundai has also added new wheel designs, as well as four new color options.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there’s no denying the Elantra’s new look.

Elantra vs. Civic: Safety and ADAS

Official safety scores for the 2024 models have yet to be unveiled, but if we glimpse into yesteryear, we see that both the Elantra and Civic Sedan won the Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS, indicating that both are undeniably good small family cars in terms of crash protection.

Both also have a solid array of driver assistance features. Here’s a quick breakdown

	2024 Hyundai Elantra	2024 Honda Civic
Forward collision avoidance	Standard	Standard
Intelligent speed limit assist	Standard	Unavailable
Adaptive cruise control	Optional	Standard
Traffic jam assist	Unavailable	Standard
Lane keeping assist	Standard	Standard
Lane following assist	Standard	Standard
Highway driving assist	Optional	Unavailable
Surround view monitor	Optional	Unavailable
Blind spot view monitor	Optional	Optional
Blind spot collision warning	Standard	Optional
Driver attention warning	Standard	Standard
Rear cross traffic avoidance	Standard	Optional
Safe exit warning	Standard	Unavailable
Traffic sign recognition	Unavailable	Standard
Rear seat reminder	Unavailable	Standard
High beam assist	Standard	Standard

Breaking it down like this, we see that both have a strong assortment of both standard and optional features, with just a few unavailable for each. In our Hyundai vs. Honda comparison, both can count themselves among some of the safest compact cars on the market this year.

Elantra vs. Civic: New Car Warranty

One of the benefits of buying a new car is that you’ll benefit from top-tier coverage for your car, but not all warranties are created equal. It’s common knowledge that Hyundai stands head, shoulders, and half a torso above all other competition:

	2024 Hyundai Elantra	2024 Honda Civic
Basic limited warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles	3 years / 36,000 miles
Powertrain coverage	10 years / 100,000 miles	5 years / 60,000 miles
Anti-perforation/corrosion	7 years / Unlimited miles	5 years / Unlimited miles
24-hour roadside assistance	5 years / Unlimited miles	3 years / 36,000 miles
Replacement parts/accessories	12 months / 12,000 miles	12 months
Complementary maintenance	3 years / 36,000 miles	2 years / 24,000 miles

In terms of warranties, the Elantra wins, no contest.

Which is Best: the Hyundai Elantra, or the Honda Civic?

While there’s no doubt that the Civic gave it a run for its money, the Elantra takes a commanding lead coming into 2024.

If you’re looking for a Hyundai Elantra for sale in Miami, give our friendly team a call at (786) 623-4261, or stop by the lot at 2001 NE 2^nd Avenue, just off Biscayne Boulevard in the heart of the city. Be sure to ask about our monthly vehicle specials!