New 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
2022 Hyundai Elantra – The redesign of the Hyundai Elantra 2022 not only comes with a striking new style and improved technology. It also brings the introduction of new members into the parent, the Elantra Hybrid.
At the 2022 Elantra Hybrid, Hyundai promises 50 mpg or more. Now that the numbers are in and confirmed by the EPA – up to 53 mpg city, 56 highways, and 54 combined – and after an afternoon behind the wheel, I can safely say that hybrid is a tough competition for affordable-hybrid competition, including the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and Honda Insight.
2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid
Hyundai Elantra has been completely redesigned for the 2022 model year. But, as has been the case for a while now, it comes with many features at competitive prices.
Add Hyundai’s fantastic warranty, and you’ve got a pretty interesting car, at least from a reasonable car buying standpoint. But Hyundai, as happened with the Sonata recently, has increased Elantra’s emotional appeal as well.
2022 Hyundai Elantra Exterior
Outside, the Elantra 2022 is slightly longer and wider than before and has a slimmer roof. Arrow-like style lines along the sides also add some characters.
Inside, there’s more rear legroom and a new instrument panel design with twin digital display screens available. Located side by side, the screen gives a different European luxury sedan vibe.
Over the past few years, Hyundai has stepped up its hybrid game. The Ioniq became the first dedicated hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric vehicle in its range, offering 58 mpg and plenty of value.
Recent debuts such as the Sonata, Tucson, and Santa Fe add hybrid variants as consumers look for green alternatives.
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid joins the vehicles, offering a handsome style, up to 56 mpg, and a well-appointed cabin.
The Elantra Hybrid will take on the Honda Insight and Toyota Corolla Hybrid, two compact sedans with a long history and greater market share than Hyundai. However, Hyundai hybrids can be more efficient, handsome, and affordable, as the Elantra Hybrid starts at $24,545.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Powertrain
The Elantra Hybrid powertrain is identical to the one found in the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid 2022, combining Atkinson’s 1.6-liter inline-4 cycle gas engine with an electric motor and a 1.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The system’s total output is 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.
It bases this system around a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission, although non-hybrid versions get an automatic transmission that constantly varies.
According to Hyundai, this is because electrified drivetrain elements reduce the need to minimize mechanical loss from transmissions. In essence, by using the augmentation of the electric motor, you get the same minimization but without the drivability of the CVT.
On the road, the dual-clutch base gives the Hybrid a little leg up in drivability. However, the CVT really holds the gas version back from being a better car, and although the 6-speed Elantra Hybrid isn’t great and can still be hesitant or hunting, it’s still a better experience. Versus in the Ioniq Hybrid, one welcome change is generally more quickly responsive to accelerator pedals.
Elantra Hybrid does not only use electric power at a lower speed. Hyundai has previously indicated that there may be EV drive modes, although I only found Normal, Sport, and Smart, as in the Sonata Hybrid. Trying to speed up with a sense of normal gas engine kicking right away.
This electric motor is actually used more widely when gliding or under light acceleration of about 35-50 mph. There was a slight shiver when the gas engine kicked back, but it didn’t interfere with the driving experience.
The Elantra Hybrid model also gets a better suspension than the gas version, with a multi-link rear suspension setting versus a simplified torque bar.
This change is not noticeable in everyday driving, but when I took the Elantra Hybrid on the same canyon road as Elantra, I did feel the difference.
The back end feels more sorted and less like being dragged through a corner, providing better feedback as well.
The city’s excellent fuel economy rating of 53 mpg, 56 highways, and a combined 54 is for SEL. Ratings Limited to 49/52/50 mpg, mostly because it is about 100 pounds heavier thanks to additional equipment.
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Drive
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid currently uses a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The 1.32 kWh lithium-ion battery is located under the rear seats, and the Elantra Hybrid produces a combined torque of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft. Unfortunately, those power numbers got Elantra wedged on top of the Corolla Hybrid and just below Insight.
On the street, the recipe feels adequate for Elantra, if not impressive. The Elantra Hybrid feels very fast for a fuel-efficient sedan, but it’s not sporty or attractive to drive.
While the hybrid system generates enough power to propel Elantra down a steep canyon road without struggling, it doesn’t have any dynamic feel.
However, the transmission does a great job of shifting the gears up or down quickly and happily holding the gears for as long as necessary.
Compared to the Corolla Hybrid and Insight, which do not use fixed-gear transmissions, the Elantra feels a little torquier and more responsive.
Unlike the regular Elantra, the Elantra Hybrid has a rear multilink suspension that makes the ride more sedentary. Driving hybrids and regular Elantra back-to-back shows a big difference in handling, with hybrids showing more body control and fewer rolls.
On the majestic Pacific Coast Highway, hybrids overcome bumps and rust better than their internal combustion siblings. The steering wheel for both cars is almost the same — on the soft side while providing some feedback, but not much.
Hyundai Elantra N
Hyundai’s got some sports sedan mojo going for 2022, too. Elantra N just debuted as the most powerful Elantra ever.
Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that emits 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. Along with a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, the motor makes the N an absolute blast to drive on a curved rear road.
The customizable N drive mode makes a real difference in the character of the car. Eco/Normal mode is downstairs, and Sport mode is just one simple step. Mode N looks like two or three extra levels – it’s a lot of jumps.
This is when all the extreme ear-to-ear grinning begins. Here’s when you get all the exhaust pops, burbles, super-fast throttle response, and sharper steering feel.
There is also a more affordable Elantra N Line that comes with a turbocharged 201-hp engine. Or if fuel economy is what you’re looking for, there’s also a new hybrid version of Elantra. Hyundai says it will get about 50 mpg in combined city/highway driving.
2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Interior
Elantra was developed with hybrids in consideration, and there is no compromise in the interior space. That means the Elantra Hybrid is quite spacious in it.
As we said during our Elantra First Drive, the cabin is spacious, even for high passengers. Despite the fastback-like profile, the headspace in the second row is quite a lot, and the legroom is amazing.
SEL is the basic version of the Elantra Hybrid and is well equipped from the start (even better than non-hybrid CELLS).
The basic trim comes with 16-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights and taillights, heated front seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple Carplay wirelessly, two USB ports, a dual-zone ACC, and several active safety features (advanced collision avoidance assistance, a blind-spot monitor with rear traffic assistance, lane assistance, and a safe exit warning).
Hybrid Limited added a 10.3-inch touchscreen with navigation and wired Android Auto and CarPlay, a Bose audio system with eight speakers, 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, sunroof, wireless charging, leather seats, another 10.3-inch touchscreen that serves as a digital instrument cluster, and Hyundai Digital Lock, which allows users to lock, unlock and start a car with their Android phone.
Limited also adds more safety technologies, such as smart cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, parking distance warnings, and highway drive assistance.
Our biggest criticism of the interior is the widespread use of hard plastic. Whether you touch the door panel or dashboard, the hard plastic feels lower for that segment, especially when you have two large screens that seem to come out of the Mercedes. Hyundai should not let its guard down to the expense of quality for the technology.
In addition to the outside hybrid badge and a special graph of the infotainment screen showing real-time information about the hybrid powertrain, there is no aesthetic difference with the internal combustion of the Elantra.
The old-fashioned hybrid powertrain is defeated by the interior of the Elantra Hybrid, which feels the most modern of all non-luxury compact sedans.
The side-by-side 10.3-inch display found in the Hybrid Limited model is a unique feature in this class, as Hyundai continues to pull technology from its larger and more expensive models down its range.
This includes integrating Android Auto smartphones and Apple CarPlay wireless which is (again) an exclusive feature of the class.
Elantra Hybrid’s multimedia options do have some strange peculiarities. For example, if you want wireless smartphone connectivity, it comes only with a smaller 8.0-inch multimedia screen found in the SEL trim. But that trim level doesn’t offer a wireless charger, which is where you want to place your phone while connected.
Raise the Limited trim and add a larger screen and wireless charger, but the system requires a wired connection. Strange things.
Also, if you are an Android Auto user, Android Auto users do not use the entire widescreen. Instead, there’s a black box on the right that takes about a third of the screen you can’t get rid of. So it actually makes Android Auto feel bigger on smaller units.
2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Price
Starting at $24,545, the SEL carries a ton of value for the 2022 Elantra Hybrid, getting updated technology, exceptional interior space, and multilink suspension.
Model Limited, at $29,095, is the most expensive Elantra. Regardless of the trim you choose, the Elantra Hybrid provides good resistance against the Corolla Hybrid and Insight. If you want to buy compact hybrids, Elantra must be on your list.
