Key Points

• The 2026 Hyundai Elantra’s base price is $23,870 (all prices include $1,245 destination charge).
• The Elantra sees no major changes for the 2026 model year aside from a new trim: SEL Sport Premium.
• Lineup ranges from 54 mpg hybrid to 286-horsepower Elantra N

Hyundai has added a new SEL Sport Premium trim level to the Elantra for 2026, splitting the difference between the SEL Sport and the Limited. But the brand otherwise made no changes to its compact sedan for the new model year — though it could be argued none were needed.

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is an affordable compact sedan boasting a diverse lineup. The standard model starts at just $23,870; the hybrid offers up to 54 mpg combined; and for enthusiast drivers, there are two variants from Hyundai’s N performance sub-brand. Unless all-wheel drive is a non-negotiable (it’s not available), there’s an Elantra for every need and budget.

Related: 2024 Hyundai Elantra Quick Spin: Softened and Sharpened

Release Date and Pricing

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra will go on sale later in 2025. Pricing is as follows:

Elantra

• SE: $23,870
• SEL Sport: $24,995
• SEL Sport Premium: $26,320
• Limited: $28,420
• N Line: $30,645

Elantra Hybrid

• Blue: $26,695
• SEL Sport: $28,670
• Limited: $31,045

Elantra N

• N: $36,345

Trim Levels

The entry-level Elantra SE rides on 15-inch wheels and includes LED headlights, remote keyless entry, cloth upholstery, manually adjustable front seats, six speakers and an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The SEL Sport adds proximity keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control and wireless phone charging. The Sport part of the name derives from the spoiler, side mirrors and 17-inch wheels, which are all finished in black, as well as the aluminum pedals. The wheels are machine-finished instead of black on the SEL Sport Premium, which also includes heated side mirrors, heated front seats, a moonroof and more safety tech (about which more below).

Capping the regular Elantra lineup, the Limited boasts LED taillights, synthetic-leather seating, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, ambient lighting, an eight-speaker Bose sound system, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The Elantra Hybrids and N variants ride on a sophisticated multilink rear suspension for improved ride and handling. The hybrid lineup opens with the Blue, which is similar to the SE but includes 16-inch wheels, proximity keyless entry, keyless start, remote start and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Elantra Hybrid SEL Sport is equipped identically to the gas-only SEL Sport, just with the hybrid powertrain. To the gas-only Limited, the Limited hybrid adds ventilated front seats with driver’s seat memory settings.

Based on the Elantra SEL Sport Premium, the N Line adds larger front brakes, 18-inch wheels, unique front and rear bumpers, a moonroof, LED taillights, gloss-black window trim and heated side mirrors. It also gets the dual-screen setup and Bose sound system from the Limited, as well as a power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats and aluminum pedals.

In addition to the hybrids’ and N Line’s fancy rear suspension, the Elantra N also gets an upgraded front suspension with adaptive dampers, still-larger front brakes, a limited-slip differential, 19-inch wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer performance tires and a variable exhaust system with large-bore dual outlets. To the N Line’s more aggressive front and rear bumpers, the N adds red accents, unique sill panels and a rear spoiler. Its comfort features mirror those of the SEL Sport Premium, though the moonroof is only included with the dual-clutch automatic transmission. The N also boasts front sport seats and Digital Key 2.0, which allows owners to use their phone or smartwatch as a key and to remotely monitor the vehicle.

Standard and Available Safety Features

Standard safety technologies across the 2026 Elantra lineup include forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-centering steering, blind spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor and automatic high beams. The SEL Sport Premium, Hybrid Limited and N Line (but not the N) gain an upgraded forward collision warning system with bicyclist detection and front cross-traffic alert. The N includes standard front and rear parking sensors.

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Powertrain Specs and MPG

The basic 2026 Hyundai Elantra is powered by a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 132 pounds-feet of torque and mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. All Elantras are front-wheel drive. The Elantra SE returns an EPA-rated 31/40/35 mpg; the SELs and Limited are rated at 30/40/34 mpg.

The Elantra Hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total of 139 hp and 195 pounds-feet. It has a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Elantra Hybrid Blue returns 51/58/54 mpg, and the Hybrid SEL and Limited are rated at 49/52/50 mpg.

The 1.6-liter gains a turbocharger in the Elantra N Line, which produces 201 hp and 195 pounds-feet and packs a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Its fuel economy checks in at 28/35/31 mpg.

The full-bore Elantra N gets a 276-hp, turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 289 pounds-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard in the N with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic available for an additional $1,500. When paired with the dual-clutch automatic, the N’s turbo 2.0-liter gains N Grin Shift, which increases output to 286 hp for up to 20 seconds at a time. The Elantra N is rated at 21/29/24 mpg with the manual transmission and 20/27/23 mpg with the automatic.

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