Car Model History

Seventh generation (CN7) · CN7 · 2021–present

2021Hyundai Elantra

A dramatically redesigned, sharply creased Elantra on a new platform, with hybrid and — for the first time — the genuine-performance Elantra N (2022). The generation that gave the Elantra an enthusiast halo.

Seventh generation (CN7) · CN7

2021 Hyundai Elantra (CN7) — 1.6AT High Spec in red, front three-quarter view

Photo: “2021 Hyundai Elantra 1.6AT High Spec red front view in Brunei” by AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 2021 Hyundai Elantra model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 2021 Elantra

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

7factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory trim, body, engine, and transmission combinations represented by the cited exact-year lineup records. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from Hyundai Newsroom — 2021 Elantra lineup and powertrains.

7versions shown
Four-door sedan

Elantra SE Intelligent Variable Transmission

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
2.0L Atkinson-cycle inline-four
Gearbox
Intelligent Variable Transmission
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra SEL Intelligent Variable Transmission

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
2.0L Atkinson-cycle inline-four
Gearbox
Intelligent Variable Transmission
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra Limited Intelligent Variable Transmission

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
2.0L Atkinson-cycle inline-four
Gearbox
Intelligent Variable Transmission
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra N Line 7-speed dual-clutch automatic

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
1.6L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra Hybrid Blue 6-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
1.6L gasoline-electric hybrid
Gearbox
6-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra Hybrid Limited 6-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
1.6L gasoline-electric hybrid
Gearbox
6-speed EcoShift dual-clutch automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra N Line 6-speed manual

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
1.6L turbocharged inline-four
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 2021 model year

Overview

The seventh-generation Elantra arrived for 2021 on a new platform with Hyundai's sharply creased Parametric Dynamics design. The US range comprised the regular sedan, the first Elantra Hybrid, and the new N Line; the previous Elantra GT hatchback was discontinued.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.0L Atkinson-cycle inline-four
  • 1.6L turbocharged inline-four (N Line)
  • 1.6L gasoline-electric hybrid
Transmissions
Intelligent Variable Transmission (2.0L), 6-speed manual (N Line), 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (N Line), 6-speed dual-clutch automatic (Hybrid)
Body styles
Sedan

Year over year

What changed

  • All-new platform and a dramatically restyled, sharply creased body.
  • Added a hybrid powertrain to the lineup.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Set the stage for the first-ever performance Elantra N (2022).

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Check the VIN for open recalls and completed campaigns in NHTSA's lookup; recall applicability cannot be determined from model year alone.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 2021 Elantra on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 2021 Hyundai Elantra. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
5
Factory intervals
5
Fitment-scoped
5
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    2.0L

    Applies to: 2021 · 2.0L · United States

    Published interval: 7,500 mi / 12 months · Normal usage, whichever comes first.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Engine Oil and Filter, 2.0L column · checked

    Turbo engine

    Applies to: 2021 · 1.4T, 1.6T · United States

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 12 months · Normal usage, whichever comes first.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Engine Oil and Filter, turbo-engine column · checked

  • Engine air-cleaner filter

    Exact reference available

    K&N catalog fitment is independent of Hyundai's published service interval.

    2.0L

    Applies to: 2021 · 2.0L · United States

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Normal usage; inspect every 7,500 miles.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Air Cleaner Filter, 2.0L column · checked

    Turbo engine

    Applies to: 2021 · 1.4T, 1.6T · United States

    Published interval: 24,000 mi · Normal usage; inspect every 6,000 miles.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Air Cleaner Filter, turbo-engine column · checked

    2.0L gasoline models

    Catalog fitment only; it does not establish or replace Hyundai's service interval.

    Applies to: 2021 · 2.0L Atkinson-cycle inline-four · Intelligent Variable Transmission · United States

    Source: K&N — Hyundai Elantra replacement air-filter catalog · 2021 Hyundai Elantra 2.0L L4 Gas row, excluding Elantra N — 33-5118 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Validated equivalentK&N 33-5118

      Qty. 1 · Washable engine air-filter element · catalog-listed

      K&N catalogs this exact replacement for the stated 2021 Elantra application; confirm VIN and installed engine before ordering.

      Catalog: K&N — Hyundai Elantra replacement air-filter catalog · 2021 Hyundai Elantra 2.0L L4 Gas row, excluding Elantra N — 33-5118 · checked

      Search this part on Amazon

    N Line 1.6L turbo models

    Catalog fitment only; it does not establish or replace Hyundai's service interval.

    Applies to: 2021 · 1.6L turbocharged inline-four · 7-speed dual-clutch automatic, 6-speed manual · United States

    Source: K&N — Hyundai Elantra replacement air-filter catalog · 2021 Hyundai Elantra 1.6L L4 Gas row — 33-5118 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    Elantra Hybrid

    Catalog fitment only; it does not establish or replace Hyundai's service interval.

    Applies to: 2021 · 1.6L gasoline-electric hybrid · Hybrid · United States

    Source: K&N — Hyundai Elantra Hybrid replacement air-filter catalog · 2021 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid 1.6L L4 Gas row — 33-5121 · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Climate-control air filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2021 · United States

    Published interval: 12 months · Normal-usage replacement interval.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Climate Control Air Filter row · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    2.0L

    Applies to: 2021 · 2.0L · United States

    Published interval: 97,500 mi · Normal usage.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Spark Plugs, 2.0L column · checked

    1.6T

    Applies to: 2021 · 1.6T · United States

    Published interval: 42,000 mi · Normal usage.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Spark Plugs, turbo-engine column · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    After the first change, replace every 30,000 miles or 24 months.

    Applies to: 2021 · United States

    Published interval: 120,000 mi / 120 months · First replacement, whichever comes first.

    Source: Hyundai USA — 2021 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · Maintenance table — Coolant row · checked

Accessories matched to this model year

Shop accessories for your 2021 Hyundai Elantra

Review the fitment details before ordering.

1 accessory match

  • All-weather floor liners for Hyundai Elantra

    Interior protection

    All-weather floor liners

    Fits 2021–2025 Hyundai Elantra

    Fitment details

    Fits 2021–2025 Hyundai Elantra. Confirm body style, doors, drivetrain, dimensions, and exclusions on the merchant listing before ordering.

    View at OEDRO

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Famous variants this year

Sources

  1. Hyundai Newsroom — all-new 2021 Elantra and Elantra Hybrid
  2. Hyundai Newsroom — 2021 Elantra lineup and powertrains
  3. NHTSA — VIN recall lookup

Other Seventh generation (CN7) years

Explore the CN7 generation →All Seventh generation (CN7) · CN7 years →

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