Edmunds hybrid sedan comparison: 2025 Honda Civic vs. 2025 Hyundai Elantra

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Similar in size and fuel economy, these two hybrid compact sedans differ from there

There’s big news for the 2025 Honda Civic: It’s now available as a hybrid. More than that, its new gasoline-electric powertrain replaces the Civic’s previously optional turbocharged engine, making the Civic Hybrid both a max fuel economy choice as well as a higher-performance one. It seems like a compelling pick for a small hybrid sedan. But it’s not the only one.

Hyundai has a similar mission with its 2025 Elantra Hybrid. This dramatically styled sedan gets its own update for 2025, resulting in edgier styling and additional technology features. Which one of these practical and high-mpg sedans is the better buy? Edmunds’ experts compare them to find out.

Although both are hybrids, the 2025 Civic and 2025 Elantra have very different types of gasoline-electric powertrains. We won’t get into the engineering minutiae, but the Elantra’s acceleration feel and engine sound will seem more normal to potential owners. The Civic’s low-speed acceleration is very smooth, but driving on hilly terrain can make the powertrain seem noisier than the Elantra’s.

The Elantra has the advantage in terms of fuel economy. Its Sport and Limited trim levels get an EPA-estimated 50 mpg combined. The Blue trim returns 54 mpg combined, although when you’re talking about mpg figures this high, the difference in terms of actual gas burned is minimal. That’s a critical point since the Civic Hybrid returns an EPA-estimated 49 mpg combined. So, advantage Elantra, but oh-so barely.

The Civic enjoys a significant advantage in acceleration. Its 200-horsepower powertrain zipped it from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds at the Edmunds test track. For context, that’s quicker than