Compare the2025 Hyundai Elantra NVS 2024 Subaru WRX

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Elantra N has standard Parking Distance Warning to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The WRX doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The Elantra N has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the WRX Limited/GT/TR offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra N has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the WRX Limited/GT/TR offers Rear Cross Traffic Alert and the WRX’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

Both the Elantra N and the WRX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra N is safer than the Subaru WRX:

	Elantra N	WRX
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	142	250
Neck Injury Risk	21%	24.5%
Neck Stress	268 lbs.	348 lbs.
Neck Compression	51 lbs.	65 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	66/48 lbs.	284/524 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra N is safer than the Subaru WRX:

	Elantra N	WRX
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	83	152
Hip Force	327 lbs.	388 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	345	357
Hip Force	355 lbs.	839 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	11 inches	14 inches
HIC	184	208
Spine Acceleration	40 G’s	48 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Hyundai Elantra N achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The WRX has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

The Elantra N comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The WRX’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra N 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Subaru covers the WRX. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the WRX ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra N’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the WRX’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra N for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Subaru doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the WRX.

There are over 31 percent more Hyundai dealers than there are Subaru dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Elantra N’s warranty.

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Subaru vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 21 more problems per 100 vehicles, Subaru is ranked 12th.

Engine

The Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 5 more horsepower (276 vs. 271) and 31 lbs.-ft. more torque (289 vs. 258) than the WRX’s 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Hyundai Elantra N is faster than the Subaru WRX (manual transmissions tested):

	Elantra N	WRX
Zero to 60 MPH	5.1 sec	5.5 sec
Quarter Mile	13.8 sec	13.9 sec

In a Car and Driver race course test, the Hyundai Elantra N was clocked 4.3 seconds faster than the Subaru WRX Limited (187.3 sec. vs. 191.6 sec.).

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra N gets better mileage than the WRX:

			MPG
Elantra N
	Manual	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	21 city/29 hwy
	Auto	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	20 city/27 hwy
WRX
	Manual	2.4 turbo flat-4	19 city/26 hwy
	Auto	2.4 turbo flat-4	18 city/25 hwy

Transmission

The Elantra N offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is more internally efficient than a CVT but just as easy to drive. The WRX doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Elantra N’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The WRX doesn’t offer launch control.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Elantra N’s brake rotors are larger than those on the WRX:

	Elantra N	WRX	WRX TR
Front Rotors	14.2 inches	12.4 inches	13.4 inches
Rear Rotors	12.4 inches	11.4 inches	12.8 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Elantra N has larger tires than the WRX (245/35R19 vs. 235/45R17).

The Elantra N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the WRX’s standard 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra N has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the WRX.

Suspension and Handling

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Elantra N’s wheelbase is 2 inches longer than on the WRX (107.1 inches vs. 105.1 inches).

The Elantra N handles at .99 G’s, while the WRX Limited pulls only .95 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

Chassis

To minimize engine movement during hard acceleration and transmission shifts, the Elantra N has solid engine mounts. The WRX uses conventional rubber.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Elantra N is quieter than the WRX Limited (47 vs. 49 dB).

Passenger Space

The Elantra N has .8 inches more front headroom, .6 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom and 1.2 inches more rear hip room than the WRX.

Cargo Capacity

The Elantra N has a much larger trunk than the WRX (14.2 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra N’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The WRX doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

Ergonomics

The power windows standard on both the Elantra N and the WRX have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Elantra N is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The WRX prevents the driver from operating the rear windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Elantra N has a standard Proximity Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Only the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/TR offers Keyless Access and Start.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Elantra N has standard extendable sun visors. The WRX doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Elantra N’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Subaru only offers heated mirrors on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/TR.

The Elantra N has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the WRX Premium/Limited/GT/TR.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Elantra N has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the front center console. The WRX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Recommendations

Car and Driver performed a comparison test in its November 2022 issue and the Hyundai Elantra N won out over the Subaru WRX Limited.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The WRX has never been chosen.

The Hyundai Elantra outsold the Subaru WRX by over five to one during 2023.