When it comes to compact cars, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra is a pretty good option that customers can choose right now. However, which Hyundai Elantra should you get, as the Elantra currently has six trim options right now, including a few hybrid options. That being said, the best 2022 Hyundai Elantra trim shouldn’t be a surprise, as it delivers a strong balance of things that people want in a car and compact sedan.

The available trims of the 2022 Hyundai Elantra

According to Car and Driver, the Hyundai Elantra is currently available in six trim levels, and they range in price from $21,000 to $29,000. The SE trim is the standard trim, and it starts at about $21,000. It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 147 horsepower. It’s paired with a CVT, allowing it to get 33 mpg in the city and 43 mpg on highways. It comes with an 8.0-inch touchscreen and some smart safety features as well.

Elantra’s next trim is the SEL, and it starts at about $22,000. The trim after that is the Blue Hybrid trim, and it starts at $25,000. The N Line trim also costs about $25,000, but it’ll be slightly more expensive than the Blue Hybrid option. Then there’s the Limited trim, and it starts at about $27,000. Finally, the Limited Hybrid trim is the most expensive Elantra trim, and it starts at just over $29,000.

Why the Elantra SEL is the best overall trim level

Both Car and Driver and MotorTrend wrote that the SEL trim was the best trim for the Hyundai Elantra, and their reasonings were similar. Since the SEL trim starts at about $1,000 more than the standard trim, it’s the second-cheapest option available, and customers get a lot of extra value for what they’re paying. The Elantra SEL trim primarily improves the comfort and convenience features of the Elantra.

That extra $1,000 helps pay for more modern upholstery inside the cabin, a dual-zone climate control system, and keyless entry with push-button start capability, among other improvements. On top of that, the Hyundai Elantra SEL trim gains access to the optional Convenience Package, and Car and Driver also recommends that customers add this feature.

The Convenience Package costs $900, and it’ll give the Elantra a bunch of additional features. The compact sedan receives a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster display, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, among other upgrades. While Hyundai gave this compact car a lot of standard safety features, the Convenience Package will add a few more, including Hyundai’s Smart Cruise Control system.

The top Hyundai Elantra trims are fun, but expensive

Both Car and Driver and MotorTrend chose the Hyundai Elantra SEL trim, as it provides the best balance of features for the price tag. That being said, while the top trims cost a lot more, they will upgrade the Elantra in ways that the SEL trim won’t. 

Off the bat, the Elantra SEL trim and the Convenience Package will significantly improve the car’s interior, but they won’t do much about the car’s performance. Hyundai also offers a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and this engine option gets 201 horsepower. This more powerful engine option is available on the Hyundai Elantra N Line trim. Additionally, the hybrid options will significantly improve the car’s fuel economy, and it’ll allow the car to get about a combined rating of 50 mpg.

The Elantra Limited trim also improves the car’s interior significantly. For example, instead of an 8.0-inch touch screen display, it comes with a 10.25-inch one as standard.