2025 Hyundai SONATA vs. ELANTRA

Sedans are an economical vehicle for commuting and running errands around town. The Hyundai ELANTRA is a compact sedan ideal for college students, and the Hyundai SONATA is a midsize sedan that couples and small families will enjoy. In this ELANTRA vs. SONATA comparison that our team at Stivers Hyundai in Columbia, South Carolina, created, we'll show you the similarities and differences between these two popular sedans so you can see which one best fits your lifestyle and driving needs.

Overview of the 2025 Hyundai SONATA vs. ELANTRA Trims

Hyundai offers the ELANTRA in five trims: the SE, SEL Sport, SEL Convenience, Limited, and N Line. The MSRP starts at $22,125? for the entry-level SE trim and goes up to $28,975? for the top N Line trim.

The SONATA comes in six trims: the SE, SEL Sport, SEL Convenience, SEL Hybrid, N Line, and Limited Hybrid. The MSRP starts slightly higher at $26,900? for the SE and reaches $37,700 for the Limited Hybrid. ? 

The Hyundai SONATA is a bit larger than the ELANTRA, with a wheelbase of 111.8 inches compared to the ELANTRA's 107.1 inches. Inside, the compact Hyundai ELANTRA has 14.2 cubic feet of storage space, and the midsize SONATA has 15.6 cubic feet of trunk space.

Design and Exterior Features

Both sedans have similar exterior styles with a bold and contemporary appearance. The ELANTRA has a sportier exterior design with a futuristic front grille and dual-LED projector headlights. The wheel sizes on the ELANTRA range from 15 to 18 inches on the sporty N Line.

Moving to the SONATA, it has a sleek appearance with a commanding presence. Depending on the trim, the SONATA comes with 16-inch wheels up to snazzy 17-inch Eco-spoke or 19-inch alloy wheels.

Interior Features and Comfort

Both sedans have two rows of seats that can fit up to five people comfortably. The larger SONATA has an overall passenger volume of 104.4 cubic feet, while the compact ELANTRA has 99.4 cubic feet of passenger volume. You'll find premium cloth or supple leather on the upper trims of both sedans, with heated front seats on all but the base SE trims. The upper SONATA hybrid trims have even more appealing features, such as a heated steering wheel and four-way power-adjustable front passenger seats.

Technology Features

The SONATA comes with Hyundai's infotainment system that includes a large 12.3-inch touch screen with navigation on the higher trims, while the ELANTRA offers an 8-inch touch screen on the lower trims and a 10.25-inch one with navigation on the higher tiers. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration come standard across the lineup of both sedans, with select trims getting this feature wirelessly. All trims also get HD radio and a hands-free Bluetooth system with voice recognition.

Performance and Engine Options

Comparing the Hyundai SONATA vs. Hyundai ELANTRA specs for engine options, the SONATA comes out on top because of its hybrid offering and more powerful base engine.

Under the hood of all but the N Line trim of the ELANTRA, you'll find a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. Choosing the N Line gives you a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. A Smartstream intelligent variable transmission pairs with the 147-horsepower engine, and the 210-horsepower engine found on the N Line gets a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with SHIFTRONIC. All trims have front-wheel drive (FWD).

For the SONATA, the non-hybrid trims get a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. If you choose the SONATA hybrid trims, you get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine and an electric motor for a combined output of 192 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission pairs with the non-hybrid motor, a six-speed automatic transmission comes with the hybrid engine, and the N Line has an N eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission. FWD also comes standard.

Safety and Reliability

Because safety is paramount for the Hyundai brand, the ELANTRA and SONATA are equipped with numerous driver-assistance features. These features vary depending on the trim level. The Hyundai SmartSense suite of standard driver-assistance technologies includes:

• Forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection
• Blind-spot collision-avoidance warning
• Lane-keeping assist
• Lane following assist
• Driver attention warning
• High beam assist
• Rear cross-traffic avoidance assist
• Safe exit warning

The SONATA has all the above with the addition of the following:

• Smart cruise control with Stop & Go
• Rear occupant alert

The top Limited Hybrid trim also gets:

• Blind-spot view monitor
• Surround view monitor
• Forward, reverse, and side parking distance warning
• Rear parking collision-avoidance assist 

Both sedans have excellent safety ratings. The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety rated the 2025 ELANTRA and SONATA “Good” overall, and the 2024 versions were both Top Safety Picks. Additionally, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given both 2025 models an overall five-star rating. These high numbers and ratings from both organizations represent the extraordinary safety features of the Hyundai ELANTRA and SONATA.

Which Is Right for You?

Ultimately, which sedan is better is a personal choice. If you compare the Hyundai SONATA vs. ELANTRA price, the compact ELANTRA has a lower price point, but you can get the SONATA as a fuel-efficient hybrid. While the SONATA has a larger touch screen, both sedans have similar technology and safety features. Size, price, and design preferences are the main factors to consider when choosing between the 2025 Hyundai ELANTRA and 2025 Hyundai SONATA.

Take the ELANTRA and SONATA for a Test-Drive

The best way to see which sedan is right for you is to stop by Stivers Hyundai in Columbia, South Carolina, and take each one for a test drive. You'll be able to see how well they handle, how comfortable each one is, and decide from there which one to buy. Contact us to learn more about these two Hyundai sedans, our finance options, and the automotive services we offer.

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