2020 Hyundai Elantra Trim Levels with Comparisons & Configurations.

Those looking to purchase a new sedan that gives them many features for a very reasonable price should be intrigued by the 2020 Elantra. This vehicle has a reputation for being a good value, and rightly so. With a price lower than most competitors but comparable features, the Elantra is a good choice for many.

For the new model year, Hyundai has made the Elantra even better. It has a new transmission that increases fuel economy. The vehicle has also gained safety and comfort features, further adding to its appeal.

Buyers who would like to learn more about the 2020 Hyundai Elantra will want to carefully research all six trim offerings. From the base SE all the way up to the Sport, there is a lot going on with this vehicle. In the following guide, consumers will get a comprehensive breakdown of the differences between the trim levels, including powertrain, safety, and technology options.

 

Compare the 2020 Hyundai Elantra SE vs Elantra SEL Trims. What is the difference?

Consumers looking to spend the least possible on the Elantra will be looking at the SE trim level. This sedan is powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine. With this engine, drivers get 147-horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. New for this year is a continuously variable transmission. Drive mode select, with smart, normal, and sport options, is standard.

The SE trim level is the only one to sit on 15" steel wheels. Exterior features are limited here, but several important things are included. The SE gives drivers projector headlights, daytime running lights, solar control glass, and power fold-away side mirrors. This trim has a chrome front grille.

Inside, drivers now get dual-zone automatic climate control on this entry-level trim. This includes an auto-defogging system. Seats are upholstered in premium cloth. For the driver and front passenger, there is six-way power adjustment. The rear seat has a 60/40 split-folding feature. Other nice touches inside this trim are the steering-wheel-mounted controls, illuminated ignition feature, and remote keyless entry.

Bluetooth is standard here. A six-speaker stereo system is included, along with a 5" touchscreen. Other than a 3.5" cluster display, there are really no other technology features to be found inside the SE trim.

Buyers will find that the entry-level model of the 2020 Elantra has a long list of standard safety features. The list includes a blind spot mirror, lane keeping assist, a driver attention monitor, and forward collision avoidance assist. For the rearview camera, Hyundai has included dynamic guidelines. A tire pressure monitoring system is also part of the standard equipment list.

The next option for consumers is the SEL trim. Mechanically, this trim level is identical to the SE. It does get upgraded to 16" alloy wheels. Additional exterior features for the SEL include heated side mirrors, a hood insulator, and automatic headlight control.

Inside, the SEL gains quite a bit of technology. The Bluetooth system gains voice recognition. For the sound system, the Elantra gets satellite radio and MP3 capability. The infotainment system gets upgraded to a 7" screen and gains both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. Drivers who buy this trim level or up get a complimentary 3-month subscription to SiriusXM radio.

Driver aids are upgraded and added for the SEL. The blind spot mirror becomes a full-blown blind spot monitoring system complete with rear cross traffic collision warning. For the tire pressure monitoring system, the Elantra gains an individual tire pressure gauge.

For less than a thousand dollars, drivers can upgrade to the SEL and gain important technology and safety features.

Compare the 2020 Hyundai Elantra SEL vs Elantra Value Edition. What is the difference?

Another option is the Value Edition, which buyers will likely agree lives up to its name. It has the same powertrain and wheels as the SEL. There are exterior upgrades, however, to include a hands-free smart trunk release. The other added feature is door handle approach lights.

A power tilt-and-slide sunroof is added to the Value Edition. The front seats gain heat and the driver's window gains a one-touch auto-up feature. Also added in the front are dual illuminated vanity mirrors and sun visor extensions. Drivers now get a proximity key that also adds push-button start. In the backseat, the Elantra gets center-console-mounted cupholders. Both the steering wheel and gear shift knob are now wrapped in leather.

This trim gives drivers the Blue Link Connected Care & Remote Package. With this, drivers can obtain vehicle information through their smart device. They can also do certain things remotely, such as lock or start their car. The Value Edition comes with three years of these services. There are no safety upgrades for this trim level.

Going with the Value Edition gives drivers popular features such as a sunroof and heated front seats without costing them too much more.

Compare the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Value Edition vs Elantra Eco.  What is the difference?

For the Eco trim, the Elantra gets a different engine. These models are powered by a turbocharged 1.4L four-cylinder that will generate 128-horsepower as well as 156 lb-ft of torque. This trim replaces the CVT with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Eco trim is the only one to give the vehicle idle stop and go technology to help boost fuel economy. This engine goes up to a combined EPA estimate of 36 MPG, whereas the standard engine has a combined estimate of 34 MPG.

The Eco goes back to 15" wheels, but they are alloy rather than the steel found on the SE. Other than that, the Eco is largely the same as the trims that came before it. This model does gain LED daytime running lamps, however. Inside, the only upgrade is the addition of dual charging USB ports. This trim level loses the sunroof found on the Value Edition.

Although there are not many added features here, some consumers will likely be drawn to the Eco for the added fuel efficiency.

Compare the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Eco vs Elantra Limited Trims.  What is the difference?

The Limited trim is the Elantra's most luxurious version. It goes back the 2.0L four-cylinder engine found in the SE, SEL, and Value Edition trims. Also back for this model is the CVT. This trim gets 17" alloy wheels.

For the side mirrors, the Limited trim adds turn signal integration. It replaces the projector headlights with LED ones instead. LED taillights are gained as well. The final upgrade to the lighting is the addition of automatic high beams. This is the first trim to feature chrome beltline molding.

The sunroof is an optional feature for the Limited. This trim gets upgraded to leather seating surfaces and the driver's seat gets eight-way power adjustment including two-way lumbar support. There are also leatherette inserts inside the door panels. Optional for this trim is an integrated memory system for the driver's seat and side mirrors. No other trims offer this feature.

A wireless charging pad is added here. The backseat gets its own center armrest featuring cupholders. Added again is the Blue Link Connected Care package, which is not an option on the Eco. Also available for the Limited is the Blue Link Guidance package. This adds "destination search by voice" and "destination send-to-car features." Drivers who add this package get three years of these services.

The Limited trim gets a premium audio system that features eight speakers. This system includes a subwoofer and advanced music restoration technology. The 7" infotainment system remains standard, but the Limited trim is the first to offer an upgrade to an 8" screen with navigation. Also optional is upgrading the 3.5" cluster display to a 4.2" one instead. The rearview mirror gets an auto-dimming feature standard. It also adds HomeLink for controlling garage doors and more.

As for safety, the Limited trim has several options that are not available on any of the other trim levels. Drivers can choose to add pedestrian detection to their forward collision avoidance assist feature. Also available are adaptive cruise control as well as safe exit assist. This feature scans for approaching vehicles when the driver goes to deactivate the electronic child safety lock. If a vehicle is detected, the Elantra will not unlock the doors.

There are only two packages available for the Elantra. The first is available for the Limited trim. It is called the Ultimate package and it is what adds all of the optional safety and tech features mentioned above.

The Limited trim has enough added and available features to appeal to a wide range of consumers, particularly safety-conscious families.

Compare the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Limited vs Elantra Sport Trims. What is the difference?

If the Limited trim is the luxury model, the Sport is the high-performance once. It is the only model to get the turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder engine. This gives the Elantra 201-horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Like the Eco, this trim has the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It does not have, however, the idle stop and go technology.

The Sport trim has a multi-link independent rear suspension. Both the steering and suspension are "sport-tuned." This trim gets upgraded to 18" alloy wheels. The front grille and fascia have a sport theme. Moving around to the back, drivers will also find a sport rear fascia featuring a rear diffuser element. Finally, this trim gets sport side sill extensions.

This trim sees the power sunroof making a reappearance. Interestingly, the Sport is lacking the dual-zone automatic climate control seen on all other trim levels, although it is an optional upgrade. The driver's seat goes back to having six-way power adjustment and also loses the lumbar support. Sport front seats are included with stylish red contrast stitching. There are also black headliners. The steering wheel is D-shaped and leather-wrapped.

Neither of the Blue Link packages are included for the Sport trim but they are both available. The auto-dimming rearview mirror also goes down to being optional rather than standard. Also optional is the upgraded stereo system. Otherwise, the Sport trim has the six-speaker system found on the lower trim levels. Like the Limited, the Sport trim has the option of upgrading to the 8" touchscreen and navigation. The larger cluster display is not available for this trim. Most of the optional features for the Sport can be added by the Premium Package available exclusively for this trim.

The Sport trim has more power but loses a lot of features. It may appeal to a small segment of the market. For most consumers, however, it will not be a logical choice.

 

Which Trim to Choose?

All six trim levels of the Elantra are appealing in their own way. That said, most consumers will skip both the entry-level SE and the top-of-the-line Sport. The best options are the ones that are located in the middle of the trim ladder.

The SEL and Value Edition both add a decent number of popular features. The Eco is worth considering for those with long commutes due to its added fuel efficiency. It is the Limited trim, however, that will likely be most popular. For not much more than the models that came before it, this trim adds useful features such as LED lighting, leather seating, and a wireless charging pad. It also unlocks more safety aids than are available on any other model. Plus, the fuel economy offered by the standard engine is more than respectable.

Buyers who go with the Limited trim level of the 2020 Hyundai Elantra will find themselves with a well-rounded vehicle that they will enjoy driving.