It wasn’t the most surprising outcome. We knew going into our massive, entire-class compact car comparison that the HoIt wasn’t the most surprising outcome.We knew going into our massive, entire-class compact car comparison that the Honda Civic had a good chance of winning. The Big H has had compact cars figured out for a while, and the 2025 addition of the hybrid powertrain added incredible fuel economy to the equation.But it was the other Big H that surprised us. The Hyundai Elantra is a fine enough daily driver, yet in its own hybrid form, it came up second—and even beat the Civic in a few key areas. We decided to take a closer look at the pair and see what made both of them so darned good.Honda Civic Hybrid vs Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Quick TakeBoth the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra now come in hybrid form, and they’re two of the best compact cars on sale today. The Honda has a higher price tag, but how much that’s worth it depends on what you value in your small car.What’s New for 2025:For the 2025 model year, it’s the Honda Civic that sees the biggest changes. The iconic compact car is refreshed this year, with an updated look up front as well as new taillights and some new colors. Of course, the biggest news is the addition of hybrid models, like the one we have on hand for this comparison.The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid soldiers into the 2025 model year virtually unchanged. There is a SEL Sport HEV trim and a few other minor changes here and there.