Battle of the budget beasts: impreza vs elantra – who delivers more bang for your buck?

The Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra are two popular compact cars that offer a blend of practicality, performance, and affordability. Both vehicles have their own unique strengths and weaknesses, making it important for potential buyers to carefully consider which one is the better fit for their needs. In this comprehensive comparison, we will delve into the key differences between the Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra, covering aspects such as performance, fuel efficiency, interior space, safety, and overall value.

Performance

The Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra offer different engine options, each with its own performance characteristics.

• Subaru Impreza: The Impreza comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. It is available with either a five-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Impreza also offers a more powerful 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT.

• Hyundai Elantra: The Elantra comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It is available with a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. The Elantra also offers a more powerful 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In terms of acceleration, the Hyundai Elantra with the turbocharged engine is the clear winner. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds, while the Subaru Impreza with the 2.5-liter engine takes about 7 seconds. However, the Impreza offers better handling due to its standard all-wheel drive system, which provides improved traction and stability in all driving conditions.

Fuel Efficiency

Fuel efficiency is an important consideration for many compact car buyers.

• Subaru Impreza: The Impreza with the 2.0-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway with the CVT. The Impreza with the 2.5-liter engine gets slightly lower fuel economy, at 24 mpg in the city and 32 mpg on the highway.

• Hyundai Elantra: The Elantra with the 2.0-liter engine achieves an EPA-estimated 33 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on the highway with the CVT. The Elantra with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine gets slightly lower fuel economy, at 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.

Overall, the Hyundai Elantra has a slight advantage in fuel efficiency, especially with the base 2.0-liter engine.

Interior Space

Interior space is another important factor to consider, especially for families or those who frequently transport passengers or cargo.

• Subaru Impreza: The Impreza offers a spacious interior with ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers. It also has a generous cargo capacity of 22.5 cubic feet, which can be expanded to 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

• Hyundai Elantra: The Elantra offers a slightly smaller interior than the Impreza, but it is still spacious enough for most people. It has 38.7 inches of headroom and 42.3 inches of legroom in the front, and 38.1 inches of headroom and 34.3 inches of legroom in the rear. The Elantra also has a smaller cargo capacity of 14.2 cubic feet, which can be expanded to 40.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.

Overall, the Subaru Impreza has a more spacious interior and cargo area than the Hyundai Elantra.

Safety

Safety is a top priority for many car buyers, and both the Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra have earned high safety ratings.

• Subaru Impreza: The Impreza has received a five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It comes standard with a suite of advanced safety features, including lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control.

• Hyundai Elantra: The Elantra has also received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS. It comes standard with a similar suite of advanced safety features as the Impreza, including lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, and pedestrian detection.

Overall, both the Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra offer excellent safety features and have earned high safety ratings.

Value

Value is a subjective concept that depends on individual needs and preferences. However, when comparing the Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra, there are a few key factors to consider.

• Price: The Impreza has a slightly higher starting price than the Elantra. The base Impreza with the 2.0-liter engine starts at around $20,000, while the base Elantra with the 2.0-liter engine starts at around $19,000.

• Features: The Impreza and Elantra offer similar features, but there are some key differences. The Impreza comes standard with all-wheel drive, while the Elantra does not. The Elantra, on the other hand, comes standard with more advanced safety features than the Impreza.

• Reliability: Both the Impreza and Elantra have a good reputation for reliability. However, the Impreza has a slightly higher predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power and Associates.

Overall, the Subaru Impreza offers better value for those who prioritize all-wheel drive and reliability, while the Hyundai Elantra offers better value for those who prioritize a lower price and more advanced safety features.

Which Car is Right for You?

Ultimately, the decision between the Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize all-wheel drive, spaciousness, and reliability, the Impreza may be a better choice. If you prioritize fuel efficiency, a lower price, and more advanced safety features, the Elantra may be a better choice.

Common Questions and Answers

Q: Which car has a more powerful engine?

A: The Hyundai Elantra with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine has a more powerful engine than the Subaru Impreza with the 2.5-liter engine.

Q: Which car has a more spacious interior?

A: The Subaru Impreza has a more spacious interior and cargo area than the Hyundai Elantra.

Q: Which car has better fuel efficiency?

A: The Hyundai Elantra has slightly better fuel efficiency than the Subaru Impreza, especially with the base 2.0-liter engine.

Q: Which car has a higher safety rating?

A: Both the Subaru Impreza and Hyundai Elantra have earned high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS.

Q: Which car is more reliable?

A: The Subaru Impreza has a slightly higher predicted reliability rating from J.D. Power and Associates.