2021 Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra has been fully redesigned for 2021, promising affordability while still delivering a healthy list of standard features. This seventh-generation Elantra will also debut a new hybrid variant to squeeze the most out of every gallon of gas.

The standard Elantra will be powered by the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the 2020 model. It produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission that sends power to the front wheels.

The Elantra Hybrid features a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a 32-kilowatt electric motor. Combined, the engine and motor produce 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, and the power is routed through a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Hyundai estimates it will return an impressive 50 mpg in combined driving, or a touch less than a comparable Honda Insight or Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

From the outside, the 2021 Elantra will be marginally longer and wider, but a tiny bit shorter in height and lighter in overall weight. The interior is refreshingly simple with a dash that is dominated by digital displays. A single pane spans the length over the 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and 8-inch touchscreen. Buyers who require a strong sense of symmetry can opt for a 10.25-inch touchscreen in higher trims.

Feature highlights include standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, the first time such a system has been introduced to a non-luxury car. Notable options include a hands-free digital key in a card or on your smartphone, dual Bluetooth connections, a wireless charging pad, and an enhanced voice recognition system that can control functions such as air conditioning.

Like all modern cars, the Elantra is equipped with a bevy of advanced driving aids. Forward collision warning and lane keeping assist are standard, while upper trims feature a blind-spot monitor, adaptive cruise control and rear collision mitigation.

Value is paramount in the compact class, and the Elantra has historically offered a greater feature set at a lower price compared to rivals. In recent years, that advantage has reduced as competitors strengthened their own value propositions. Hyundai could again shift that advantage by delivering a more stylish and feature-rich car that is also more fun to drive. Our first impression is that this new Elantra has the potential to do so.

Among the class of small sedans, our favorites include the spacious Honda Civic, the stylish Kia Forte and the luxurious Mazda 3. There aren't many rivals in the compact hybrid space, but the Elantra Hybrid will go toe to toe with the Honda Insight and the Toyota Corolla Hybrid.

The all-new 2021 Hyundai Elantra has huge potential to claim one of the top spots in its class thanks to its generous list of features and the addition of the fuel-efficient hybrid model. We'll know for sure after we get to drive and evaluate it for ourselves. Check back with more information and drive impressions as we get closer to the late 2020 launch.