Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Sylphy - The better pick

The Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sylphy both recently reentered the compact sedan market with brand new upgrades. The Elantra is currently one of the top-selling compact sedans in the country. However, it did receive criticism for its hefty P1 million price tag back in 2017, which put it in a tight spot against similar yet affordable Japanese models such as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

On the other hand, the Sylphy is Nissan’s latest model release. A reimagined Sentra, the Sylphy is supposedly the Japanese automaker’s attempt at recapturing the compact sedan market. The Sentra was once one of the popular early compact sedans that offered a number of advanced features such as fuel injection, automatic braking system (ABS), and even a sunroof.

With both these sedans making a comeback, we took a look at how the Elantra and Sylphy fared against each other.

Dimensions 

The Sylphy is definitely a long vehicle, with an incredibly spacious cabin and generous legroom. The Elantra is about the typical size of most compact sedans on the market. Both vehicles can seat 5 people.

Exterior

The previous Elantra showcased Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design language. For the latest version, the automaker took cues from European-based designs and opted to follow the sporty trend in most compact sedans today.

The first thing one would notice from the Sylphy is its bulging front build that flows smoothly into the front fascia. Both headlamps and taillights are arrow-shaped and include LED DRLs. The Sylphy is also built on an aero body kit, sticking to its predecessor’s sporty style.

Interior

The Elantra stepped up for the latest version by swapping out the old plastic trims with more premium, high-grade materials. However, the Elantra specs sheet still has dated connectivity features which include the same old USB/Aux connectivity and FM/AM/Radio/CD entertainment system found on the 2017 version.

Nissan Sylphy specs sheet features premium interiors with leather-wrapped seats and beige, brown, and cream motifs. Chrome touches can also be found inside, as well as soft-touch finishes. Nissan also outfitted the doors with sound-deadening capabilities to manage NVH levels.

Engine

The Sylphy’s engine is not as impressive compared to most compact sedans on the market. Its high-end variant pales in comparison to the Elantra’s, which can generate 152 hp. Hyundai also added a new engine offering — a 2.0L EURO 4. However, its performance is more or less at par with existing compact sedans.

Safety

Both vehicles are equipped with virtually the same level of safety features. Sadly, neither Hyundai nor Nissan thought to include the latest safety features like lane assist or adaptive cruise control which are standard on most vehicles today. The safety features found on both cars can be compared to those in 2010 vehicles.

Price

Hyundai did not deviate from its controversial P1 million price tag. While still leaning towards the same price range, the Nissan Sylphy is obviously the more affordable choice. However, considering the similarities in features offered, there’s not much to distinguish either on the basis of price except for the engine.

Here you can find the difference between Hyundai Elantra price and Nissan Sylphy price -

Verdict

The Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sylphy are both promising vehicles and are still an impressive attempt of both the automakers to penetrate the local compact sedan segment. However, considering their prices and their specs, there are more affordable choices that already include advanced features.

If you’re looking for a more powerful engine, the Elantra is obviously the best choice compared to the Sylphy. In terms of tech and safety features, the Elantra also has a slight advantage over the Sylphy. However, the Sylphy does have a more premium feel and look compared to the Elantra.

Which vehicle caught your eye — the Hyundai Elantra or Nissan Sylphy? Share with us your thoughts on our social media.

Also read: Hyundai Elantra - Top reasons to buy