If you’re in the market for a compact car, then you’ve surely been debating the 2017 Honda Civic vs. the 2017 Hyundai Elantra. We could spend all day comparing the two models, but we decided to refer to the experts. When you start exploring the various reviews of these two vehicles, you’ll learn that one of the two compact cars is clearly on a higher tier.
Instead of wasting time comparing the specs between the 2017 Honda Civic vs. the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, why don’t you see what the experts have to say?
Comparison #1: Performance
2017 Honda Civic
Wesley Wren of AutoWeek.com was quick to commend the Honda Civic’s surprisingly powerful 1.5-liter engine, which delivers better specs than many of its rivals. Of course, considering all of the muscle that lingers under the vehicle’s hood, drivers will also require technologies that influence drivability and handling. As Wren points out, this specific model also manages to deliver these relevant technologies, making for one of the best driving experiences in the segment.
“A year after its release, the new Honda Civic still looks incredibly good,” Wren wrote. “The coupe is stylish, but it lacks some of the important creature comforts of the sedan — namely, power seats. Its 174-hp, 1.5-liter turbocharged I4 is plenty peppy to cart you around — it’s more powerful than the Chevy Cruze, Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sentra. Surprisingly, the continuously variable transmission is perfectly mated to the turbocharged mill, which keeps it making peak power for as long as your right foot commands.”
2017 Hyundai Elantra
Timothy Cain of TheTruthAboutCars.com wasn’t so fond of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport’s performance capabilities. The vehicle’s 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four, DOHC engine cranks out an underwhelming 201 horsepower and 195 pounds-feet of torque. However, Cain makes it sound like the vehicle doesn’t fully deliver on these listed specs. The six-speed manual transmission with front-wheel-drive capabilities makes for a solid driving experience, but it apparently doesn’t match the drivability of the Honda Civic.
“The 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport is not hardcore,” said Cain. “It’s not SCCA-certified. It’s not extreme. It’s not uncompromising.”
Comparison #2: Experience
2017 Honda Civic
Building off the performance capabilities, customers will surely be interested in the vehicle’s drivability, including safety. Fortunately, the 2017 Honda Civic delivers in several regards. Those previously-mentioned sound-reduction features result in an incredibly enjoyable driving experience. Meanwhile, the Honda Sensing technology will help drivers avoid any accidents. Offerings like the Lane Keeping Assist System will allow drivers to maintain their proper path, while the Adaptive Cruise Control will allow drivers to take a brief break during a commute.
When you consider all of these offerings, it shouldn’t be all that surprising that Andrew Chesterton of CarGuides.com was so fond of the vehicle’s drivability:
“Energetic and engaging (if not quite sporty), the Civic hatch is quiet and comfortable around town, but it can more than hold its own on a twisting backroad, too. Its looks will either appeal or not, but a lack of comprehensive safety equipment on the cheaper models is sure to ruffle some feathers.”
2017 Hyundai Elantra
While Chesterton was fond of the 2017 Honda Civic’s drivability, William Clavey of Jalopnik.com was not as happy with the 2017 Hyundai Elantra. The writer specifically noted the vehicle’s continually humming engine, but he also points out the irony that these sounds do not result in a sporty persona. For what it’s worth, that kind of contradicts the inclusions of the “Sport” in the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport.
“Then there’s the way this car sounds,” Clavey said. “I’m happy Hyundai didn’t go down the artificial sound symposer lane, what you hear in this car is the actual engine. Sadly though, that turbo four doesn’t sound particularly sporty. The Elantra makes a lot of noise, but that’s about all it does: be noisy.”
Comparison #3: Interior
2017 Honda Civic
Dan Neil of the Weekend Australian Review was especially happy with the number of interior amenities included in the Honda Civic. The vehicle’s cabin is obviously highlighted by the brand’s HondaLink system, which provides access to a number of useful entertainment applications. The unit is also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto technologies, meaning customers can truly enjoy all of their favorite jams. Drivers will especially notice the difference in the 450-watt, 10-speak premium audio system, and Neil specifically pointed out the engineers’ inclusion of sound-reducing features (thus maximizing the listening experience).
“The cabin materials over perform in look and touch,” Neil wrote. “The instruments are smart and understated.
“Stung by complaints over cabin noise and harsh resonances, the Civic team has also installed more soundproofing under the floor, around the engine and wheel wells.”
2017 Hyundai Elantra
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra includes the brand’s Blue Link infotainment system. The technology is rather similar to the system included in the 2017 Honda Civic, including the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. Via the seven-inch display, drivers will have access to many of the same applications, including satellite radio and a navigation service.
However, Robert Duffer of the Chicago Tribune was keen to point out that the Blue Link system wasn’t nearly as intuitive as its rivals, and he noted that the technology has not evolved nearly as much as its competitors.
“A few years ago, Hyundai’s Blue Link infotainment system was one of the best mainstream models,” Duffer explained. “It hasn’t changed much, so it’s starting to lag behind the competition. It relies too much on the touch screen. The navigation buttons are narrow and the screen layout and defaults take some getting used to. Voice commands are slow to respond.
The reviews clearly speak for themselves. As you’ve read, the experts don’t prefer one particular aspect of the 2017 Honda Civic; rather, they seemingly prefer every attribute of the compact car, including performance, drivability, and interior amenities. Therefore, we’d say it’s pretty apparent who the winner is in the competition between the 2017 Honda Civic vs. the 2017 Hyundai Elantra.
