When Hyundai Nishat Motors launched the 6th generation Elantra in March 2021, it was immediately compared with its local competitors, Toyota Corolla Altis Grande and Honda Civic. The fact that it was launched at the price of Rs.4,049,000 made many motorheads compare it with these sedans, which had the similar price tag. However, it didn’t take them long to realize that the new entrant had to offer way more than the other two veterans.
Fast forward a year and Elantra is still priced less than the two and offers more in terms of specs and features.
Every car has its unique features and selling points. Same is the case with Elantra, Grande, and Civic. In this blog, we will focus on the value for money aspect among these three.
For this purpose, we have taken the base variant of Civic (1.5L Turbo M-CVT), top variant of Elantra (Hyundai Elantra 2.0 MPi) and Corolla (Altis Grande X CVT-i 1.8). So, let’s start this comparison.
What is the Price Difference?
Let’s begin with the price of the three.
| Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla | Honda Civic |
| Hyundai Elantra 2.0 MPi: Rs.54.99 Lacs | Corolla Altis Grande X CVT-i 1.8: Rs.57.49 lacs | Civic 1.5L Turbo M-CVT: Rs.63.49 Lacs |
Elantra is the most economical here while the other two are more expensive. Being the most economical, can Elantra compete with the other two in the specs and features? Well, let’s see.
Do They Have Identical Dimensions?
Notwithstanding its cheaper price, does the 6th gen Elantra offer more in terms of body size, inner cabin space and ground clearance, etc?
Let’s dig in.
| Dimension | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla | Honda Civic |
| Length (mm) | 4620 | 4620 | 4687 |
| Width (mm) | 1800 | 1775 | 1802 |
| Height (mm) | 1450 | 1475 | 1432 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2700 | 2700 | 2735 |
| Ground Clearance (mm) | 152.4 | 170 | 154 |
| Luggage compartment capacity (l) | 407 | 470 | 409 |
| Tyre | 215 / 55 R16 | 205 / 55 R16 | 215 / 55 / R16 |
There is not much difference between the three in terms of length. Elantra and Grande have the same length but the Civic’s got a little bit of edge here which is almost unnoticeable. When it comes to width, Elantra beats Grande and is almost as wide as the Civic. For height, Elantra falls in between the Grande (tallest) and Civic (shortest).
Tyres and ground clearance of both Elantra and Civic are almost identical. Grande has a little bit of edge in terms of ground clearance.
Overall, the comparison is almost balanced which is a surprise as Elantra costs less than the other two cars.
Engine Comparison
Now, let’s compare the engine specs of these cars to see if Elantra offers more power given its bigger engine size.
| Specification | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla Altis Grande | Honda Civic |
| Displacement | 1999cc | 1798cc | 1498cc |
| Fuel Supply System | MPI | Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (SFI) | PGM FI |
| Valve Train | 16-Valve DOHC with Dual CVVT | 16-Valve DOHC with Dual VVT-i | DOHC Dual VTC + EXH-VTEC |
| Maximum Output | 154hp @6200 rpm | 138hp @6400 rpm | 127 hp @5500 – 6000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 195 N.m @4500 rpm | 173 N.m @4000 rpm | 180 N.m @1700-4500 rpm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 50 L | 55 L | 47 L |
Well, the Elantra is the clear winner in engine comparison. Its engine produces more power and torque than others. If you’re one of those drivers which have a heavy foot, Elantra will get you that adrenaline rush.
Is Their Fuel Efficiency Identical?
Let’s find out which of the three will help you save the most money at the fuel station as petrol is quite expensive these days.
| Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla Altis Grande | Honda Civic |
| 12-16 km/l | 10-13 km/l | 12-14 km/l |
Despite having a 2.0L engine, the Elantra comes with better fuel efficiency. The 2nd best is Civic and the least performer here is Corolla Grande.
It is important to note that fuel averages may vary depending upon various factors. These factors include but are not limited to driving styles, road conditions, city vs highway driving, etc.
Do They All Have the Same Safety Features?
A more expensive car isn’t necessarily the safest, as can be seen below. Knowing the price of Elantra and keeping in mind that the Civic’s base variant costs around Rs.1 million more, you’d expect it to be the safest of the three?
Let’s find out.
| Features | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla Altis Grande | Honda Civic |
| Airbags | 2 (driver and passenger side) | 2 (driver and passenger side) | 2 (driver and passenger side) |
| Seat Belt | All persons | All persons | All persons |
| ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| High Mount Stop Lamp | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smart Key | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Traction / Vehicle Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist (HA) | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Anti Lock Braking System (ABS) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Brake Assist (BA) | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Camera | Rear | Front and Rear | Front and Rear (Optional) |
| Push Start | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
As can be seen, Elantra 2.0 is competing impressively when we talk about the safety features. Grande doesn’t have Hill Start Assist and Civic comes with optional cameras and both of these features are available in Elantra. So, it wins here as well.
What About the Comfort Levels of These Sedans?
Are these cars equally comfortable? Let’s find out!
| Features | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Corolla Altis Grande | Honda Civic |
| Climate Control | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sunroof | ✓ | ✓ | X |
| Rain Sensing Wiper | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Display screen | 8-inch display | 9-inch touchscreen | 7-Inch |
| Infotainment System | AM/FM, MP3, USB/AUX, Bluetooth, etc. | Android-powered, built-in webcam, navigation controls, WiFi with hotspot, Bluetooth, Toyota connect, voice control, USB, SIM (Internet-ready), AUX etc. | Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| Speakers | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| Instrument Cluster | Speedometer, Tachometer, Economy Meter, and 4.2 TFT screen | Speedometer, Tachometer, Economy Meter, | 7-Inch TFT |
| Steering Wheel adjustment | Tilt and Telescopic | Tilt and Telescopic | Tilt and Telescopic |
| Seat Material | Leather | Partial Leather | Fabric |
| Height Adjustable Driver Seat | Yes (Electric) | Yes (Manual) | Yes |
| Rear Headrest | 2 | All | All |
| Rear Armrest | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear AC Vents | ✓ | X | ✓ |
Given its leather seats, the Elantra’s interior feels quite comfortable and premium. Its infotainment display screen is even larger than the Civic’s. A Rs.1 million more Civic wouldn’t offer you a sunroof, but Elantra would. Also, you can electronically adjust the driver’s seat height in Elantra as compared to the manual option in the other two.
The Winner: And the Most Value for Money Car Is?
We have compared all three cars in different ways and Elantra 2.0 comes out as the ultimate winner. It is not only the most economical sedan among the three but also has competitive specs and features. Elantra beats the others in some comfort and safety features. It has a more powerful engine, yet fuel consumption is the lowest.
So, if you are looking for a sedan in the price range of Rs.5.5M – Rs.6.0M, Elantra should be the obvious choice.
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