Who Wins in Civic vs Grande vs Elantra? – Suneel’s Opinion

Sulman Ali

6 Dec 2024

Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic have long dominated the battle for supremacy in Pakistan’s C-segment sedan market. But now, with the launch of Hyundai Elantra 7th Gen, things are getting interesting. In this comparison, we will look at performance, features, fuel economy, and design to determine which sedan reigns supreme in Pakistan. Is the Civic RS Turbo still the best, or does the Hyundai Elantra steal the show with its innovative features and hybrid engine?

Design & Looks

Here is what Suneel thinks about the design and looks of these three sedans:

Honda Civic RS Turbo: The Civic delivers a modern, sporty feel with sharp contours, piano black finishes, and dual exhaust. Its aggressive front fascia, sleek LED headlights, and shark fin antenna give it an edge in terms of aesthetics.
Hyundai Elantra 7th Gen: The Elantra offers the freshest design, with a parametric shape, sharp lines, and minimal chrome. Its aggressive front-end styling, paired with 16-inch alloys, makes it a standout in this segment.
Toyota Corolla Grande: Despite being a solid sedan, the Corolla’s design feels stuck in the past. The heavy use of chrome, combined with a decade-old design, makes it feel less modern than the Civic and Elantra.

Verdict: Honda Civic RS Turbo tops the list for sportiness, followed closely by Hyundai Elantra for its clean, modern design. The Toyota Corolla Grande lags due to its outdated look.

Features & Technology

When it comes to advanced features and tech, the Civic RS Turbo and Hyundai Elantra clearly outperform the Corolla Grande.

Honda Civic RS Turbo: Packed with Honda Sensing Pack (ADAS), the RS Turbo offers advanced safety features, including Collision Mitigation Brakes, Lane Keep Assist, and Blind Spot Monitoring. It also comes with wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, dual-zone climate control, and premium leather upholstery.
Hyundai Elantra 7th Gen: The Elantra offers wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as well. But what sets it apart is its electric seats, wireless charging, and heated/ventilated seats—features not available in the Civic or Corolla.
Toyota Corolla Grande: While the Corolla Grande does offer a 7-speed CVT transmission and dual-zone climate control, it lacks the advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and modern tech features of the Civic and Elantra.

Verdict: The Civic RS Turbo is the tech leader due to its ADAS features. However, the Hyundai Elantra offers the best combination of modern tech and comfort, including wireless charging, electric seats, and heated/ventilated seats.

Performance

Honda Civic RS Turbo: The Civic RS Turbo is the performance leader in this segment, producing 176 HP and 220 Nm of torque. It delivers a thrilling driving experience with sharp handling and quick acceleration.
Hyundai Elantra 7th Gen: The Elantra boasts a hybrid engine, giving it the best fuel economy in the segment. With 264 Nm of torque and a quick 0-100 km/h time of 8.79 seconds, it outperforms both the Civic RS Turbo and Corolla Grande in terms of acceleration.
Toyota Corolla Grande: The Corolla Grande produces 140 HP and 173 Nm of torque. While it’s reliable, it falls behind both the Civic and Elantra in terms of performance.

Verdict: The Hyundai Elantra is the clear winner in torque, fuel economy, and acceleration. The Honda Civic RS Turbo is great for performance, but the Elantra offers a better all-around experience.

Fuel Economy

Honda Civic RS Turbo: The Civic RS Turbo offers decent fuel efficiency, delivering 10-11 km/l in the city and 12-13 km/l on highways.
Hyundai Elantra 7th Gen: Thanks to its hybrid engine, the Elantra delivers 24+ km/l in the city and 20 km/l on highways, making it the most fuel-efficient sedan in the segment.
Toyota Corolla Grande: The Corolla Grande gives 10-11 km/l in the city and 12 km/l on highways, which is typical for this category.

Verdict: Hyundai Elantra is the fuel economy leader by a large margin.

Price & Value for Money

Honda Civic RS Turbo: The Civic RS Turbo is priced at approximately PKR 10,000,000. While it offers excellent performance and tech, its price tag is on the higher side.
Hyundai Elantra 7th Gen: The Elantra is priced at PKR 9,700,000 and offers excellent fuel economy, torque, and modern features. It’s priced slightly below the Civic RS Turbo but provides better overall value with its hybrid engine.
Toyota Corolla Grande: The Corolla Grande is priced at around PKR 7,700,000, making it the most affordable option in this segment. However, it lacks the advanced features and performance of the other two.

Verdict: Hyundai Elantra offers excellent value for money, given its hybrid engine, modern features, and fuel economy, while the Toyota Corolla Grande is the most affordable.

Final Verdict

The Hyundai Elantra 7th Gen with Hybrid Engine is a clear winner in all categories. It has many new features, such as fuel average, sitting capacity, and overall interior and exterior looks, which are not found in the Honda Civic RS Turbo, Oriel, or Toyota Grande.

Conclusion: If you’re in Pakistan and looking for a C-segment sedan, your choice largely depends on what features matter most to you. Suneel believes that the Hyundai Elantra 7th Generation leads in fuel efficiency, advanced tech, and overall value. The Civic RS Turbo offers top-tier performance and ADAS.

Still, the Toyota Corolla Grande is an excellent option if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly C-segment sedan. But for the most accurate on-road prices in Pakistan, check the PakWheels Price Calculator for current information.