2026 Hyundai Elantra Express MSRP, Interior, Dimensions

2026 Hyundai Elantra Express MSRP, Interior, Dimensions  –  Those were the words uttered by Hyundai Canada President and CEO Don Romano, confidently throwing down the gauntlet ahead of my hands-on time with the 2026 Hyundai Elantra Express. Romano wasn’t laughing or joking when he said it, either; he meant business. And when it comes to compact cars, it’s still big business.

Compact cars like the Elantra Express have an incredibly broad mix of buyers. Students and new grads buy them, as well as retirees and empty-nesters. With its approachable base price, Hyundai knows the Elantra Express might well be your first interaction with the brand. That puts quite a lot of pressure on this compact car, but after a day behind the wheel, it’s clear that Hyundai has paid close attention to all it’s learned over the years. Finally, this 2026 Elantra Express is the complete package.

2026 Hyundai Elantra Express Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

The interior design is similarly fresh. On hand was the loaded Ultimate trim, with a diverse mix of materials that hides the cheap-feeling stuff from the driver. I’m a fan of the denim-like cloth found on a few surfaces, and fortunately, Hyundai told me that material has no extra cleaning concerns. I’m less impressed by the divider between driver and passenger. It’s jarring and impacts access to some HVAC settings, and perhaps might even encroach upon hip room for larger passengers.

That’s a shame, because space is very generous in the Elantra Express. The car is wider, improving the shoulder room in both the front and rear of the vehicle. The seats are lower, too, which improves headroom. The longer overall length and wheelbase also leads to more rear-seat legroom. The rear seats themselves aren’t the most comfortable, but they’ll work well for younger passengers or short road trips. The cargo area is spacious at 402 L, the back seats fold to extend the space when needed.

2026 Hyundai Elantra Express Specs

The 10.25-inch touchscreen, which is speedy and simple to operate, is the cabin’s best feature. Regarding the interface itself, I adore the peculiar cube-shaped icons on the menu options. There’s another large screen in front of the driver that’s used as a customizable digital gauge cluster with different themes that change with the selected drive mode. Hyundai also offers a cube-centric motif here, a novelty worth enjoying. Another lovely detail is the Nixie-tube-style theme when scrolling through satellite radio channels.  2026 Hyundai Elantra Express MSRP

To the left of the gauge cluster is an uncommon sight: a flat black panel with a target for a suction phone mount. With most drivers integrating their devices into the cabin in some form or another these days – Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth – this seems like a wise addition, especially for those hustling in the gig economy. However, this panel might make more sense closer to a USB port.

Engine and Performance

The Elantra Express’s powertrain may look a little underwhelming on paper, though it’s anything but in practice. Make no mistake: the 2.0L four-cylinder here is about efficiency first and foremost, yet this car manages to do more with its relatively meagre output than others in the segment can.

Officially, the engine makes 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque – not especially impressive figures. Yet it manages to feel stronger than the numbers would suggest, with plenty of pull throughout the rev range. Acceleration is swift enough that passing or merging is never perilous, instead inspiring confidence as the needle sweeps the speedometer.  2026 Hyundai Elantra Express MSRP

Making the powertrain’s performance even more impressive is the continuously variable transmission (CVT) that channels that output to the front wheels, which proved itself to be an unlikely highlight during testing. The complaints that are typical of this type of transmission are nowhere to be found here, with none of the rubber-band sensation or incessant buzzing that’s dogged CVTs for years. Simulated shift points make it feel like a conventional automatic, and it’s only when accelerating aggressively that it sounds like it’s working hard.

2026 Hyundai Elantra Express Fuel Economy

On the road, the 2.0L motor gets the job done, quickly and easily sprinting to about 80 km/h with enthusiasm. Achieving highway speeds takes a bit more time and is met with a significant amount of noise as the CVT pushes the engine to get the task done. You won’t have any issues cruising at any reasonable flow of traffic on the highway with the Elantra Express, but passing tends to introduce this grumpy and unappealing soundtrack. Different drive modes change the way the transmission changes its variable ratios, with a sport setting that adds a harsher feel to the simulated shifts.

More impressive is the ride quality of the Elantra Express. Soft and smooth, it surprised me to learn that this version of the Elantra Express doesn’t use an independent rear suspension setup, settling instead for a torsion beam in the back. While past Hyundais – and other vehicles with beam-type suspension – have been caught overwhelmed on occasion when dealing with bumps or broken pavement, the 2026 Elantra Express feels refined and well sorted. Sure, it sounded a bit clunky, but it rides well.  2026 Hyundai Elantra Express MSRP

2026 Hyundai Elantra Express Safety Features

Hyundai pairs that refined suspension with sharp, responsive steering, helping the Elantra Express feel like an agile compact car. This bodes well for the future variants of the Elantra Express.

One lowlight of the vehicle is noise, and while I griped about the powertrain already, I’ll also say that wind noise was a constant companion during my drive. Cranking the music through the eight-speaker sound system helped drown it out, but its presence is disappointing nonetheless.  2026 Hyundai Elantra Express MSRP

2026 Hyundai Elantra Express Price and Release Date

All the positive impressions the 2026 Hyundai Elantra Express make don’t mean much if it doesn’t bring value, too. The base six-speed manual-equipped model, the Essential, comes in at $17,899, while the automatic transmission is an extra $1,900. The Preferred trim is $21,899, while a $1,500 package adds a sunroof and upgraded stereo. The Ultimate trim is $25,599 but is offered with a $2,700 Tech package. The upcoming Hybrid model will be offered in Preferred and Luxury trims for $24,699 and $26,999, respectively, while the N Line model will come in at $27,599.

It’s a broad spectrum of prices and features, but the fact that you can get a fully loaded model for under $30,000 is hard to argue. The fancy screens and impressive driving assistants feel like great inclusions for that price, and the head-turning styling and improved cabin help seal the deal.  2026 Hyundai Elantra Express MSRP