We all know that the sedan segment has been in a “trying” state for the past few years, buyers have been opting for taller vehicles with more ground clearance, so when Hyundai Motor Philippines (HMPH) relaunched the Elantra for the Philippines we were more than curious as to why they would put a considerable amount of support and resources in that segment.
Our test mule is what the brand hopes will be the best seller, the Elantra Hybrid, and it’s quite the intriguing proposition.
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Exterior
South Korean’s as a nation and a people are very into aesthetics and style, which is evident in the design of Hyundai vehicles. The current crop of models is probably the most heavily stylized cars on the market, and each and every model stands out.
The Elantra hybrid is no exception, although it isn’t as pronounced as the N Line and N, the Hybrid still retains the striking angular design that draws you in, it elicits looks that are for sure, and in my opinion,n is one good-looking sedan.
Interior
At first glance, the interior looks plain, and that’s mainly down to the colors used for the panels; everything is predominantly black with some chrome accents here and there. The closer you look, though, you see that the same stylish treatment carries over to the interior in the form of the driver’s cockpit.
I immediately noticed (and appreciated) how most of the controls and the infotainment area are angled (biased) towards the driver, and there’s even a grab handle divider for the front passenger that really creates a semblance of “separation”.
In terms of kit, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid comes with a decent amount of features like wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The rest of the interior is fairly functional. I’d say the main highlight is the amount of space you get, the 2nd row seating area is one of the most spacious I’ve seen, and what’s amazing is that space doesn’t sacrifice trunk space, the trunk is also spacious and unobstructed despite it housing the hybrid battery.
With a practical approach as its main selling point, I can say the Elantra Hybrid is very well packaged; it has the essentials and then some.
Performance and Safety
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine paired with a hybrid system that makes a combined output of 141 PS and 147 Nm of torque. The transmission is a 6-speed dual-clutch system.
Hyundai Smartsense makes a showing in the Elantra Hybrid with ADAS features like adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, 360-degree camera, and many more.
Driving Impressions
Expecting a hybrid to be exciting to drive is, for me, a little out of the question; these vehicles’ primary role is to be as fuel-efficient as possible. So with that in mind, I have to say the Elantra Hybrid delivers on that promise.
In the week I’ve had it, in heavy cross-town traffic, the lowest figure I got was an average of 18 km/L, and on certain occasions in continuous driving conditions, it registered a 42 km/L number. On the highway at a constant 100 km/h, the Elantra sips at 20-22 Km/L, which are truly impressive numbers (much better than a recent lendout from a competitor competing directly against the Elantra Hybrid).
Job done? Not yet, I also discovered that the Elantra Hybrid has some “oomph”, in situations that called for “a boot full” of power, the car responded very well, downshifting quickly enough and delivering the necessary torque and speed I needed. I also liked how decently the Elantra handled, it has very light steering and the body felt in tune with it as well, pointing and going precisely where the steering input was.
It behaves well in spirited conditions, but in the normal setting, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is even better. In the city, the car felt easy to move around in; it didn’t feel like a big, heavy sedan, lumbering and cumbersome. It felt “alive” and responsive, making everyday driving a breeze.
Points for Improvement
My main complaints about the Elantra Hybrid are the interior quality. While it feels solid and well put together, I’m a little underwhelmed by the materials used. A lot of the panels feature hard plastic, and it felt and looked very “base” despite my test unit being the top-of-the-line HEV variant.
Verdict
At PHP 1,680,000, the Hyundai Elantra HEV Premium undercuts its main rivals, but does so by sacrificing some premium interior touches that (might) put off buyers. However, in terms of the things that matter, the Elantra Hybrid has all you need, plus the insanely fuel-efficient hybrid system, a ton of space, looks, and, on occasion, can be exciting to drive as well.
As an everyday hybrid option, the Elantra Hybrid is a no-brainer; there are a ton of reasons to buy one.
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