At long last, Hyundai brought out the Elantra Hybrid last year to compete with the likes of the Toyota Corolla Hybrid and the Honda Insight. On paper, the Elantra Hybrid is the least powerful model in the Elantra lineup, but of course, it’s the most fuel-efficient. In fact, it’s EPA-rated to achieve an impressive 54 mpg in combined driving.

How much horsepower does the 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid make?

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra hybrid produces 104 hp and 109 lb-ft of torque out of its four-cylinder engine. But when it’s combined with its 32-kW electric motor, the total combined output is 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, which is over 60 lb-ft more than the gas-powered Elantra. That kind of torque is more useful when it comes to driving around town and passing other cars on the freeway.

According to MotorTrend’s testing, the Elantra Hybrid can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is better than the Corolla Hybrid’s 10.7-second time. Performance aside, one interesting part about the Elantra Hybrid’s setup is that it uses a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox as opposed to the CVT that you’ll find in the gas-only Elantra. It’s a welcomed addition, though, as CVTs tend to bog down a car’s performance off the line. That could be why the Elantra Hybrid gets up to 60 mph so quickly.

The Elantra Hybrid offers more room than the Honda Insight

As we can see, the Elantra Hybrid is a great performer when it comes to fuel efficiency and driving, but it’s also spacious too. In fact, it offers slightly more rearseat legroom than the Honda Insight (38 inches vs 37.4), but it’s a little smaller in the trunk area (15.1 cubic feet vs 14.2). When comparing the Elantra Hybrid to its main rival, the Corolla Hybrid, the Hyundai bests it in both categories.

The Corolla Hybrid only offers 34.8 inches of legroom and a scant 13.1 cubic feet of cargo volume in its trunk area. That all being said, it’s clear that the Elantra offers more room, more power, and it even gets better fuel economy than its closest competition.

Should I buy an Elantra Hybrid over the gas-powered version?

Yes, the superior fuel efficiency of the Elantra Hybrid is worth the extra money that you’ll spend over its gas counterpart. Speaking of pricing, the 2022 Elantra Hybrid has a starting price of $23,850 for the Blue trim level and $28,350 for the Limited trim. By contrast, the gas-only Elantra starts at $19,950 for the base SE model and goes up to $25,700 for the top-trim Limited.

And while the Elantra Hybrid does cost more, you should be able recoup some of that cost differential through fewer visits to the gas pump during the time that you own the car. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a solid compact sedan that gets the same type of fuel economy as a Toyota Prius, then the 2022 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is a great choice.