Overview & Reviews

Last year's top-of-the-line Limited trim level has been dropped, but much of its equipment can still be had via an optional package for the midgrade Elantra SE trim. Stability control and brake assist have also been added as standard equipment to the SE.

• Smooth and secure ride, attractive cabin design, roomy interior with adult-friendly backseat, solid construction, responsive handling, low price, long warranty.

• Unrefined engine is noisy at mid-to-high rpm, likable interior is otherwise let down by a few low-grade interior plastics.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 195.00

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  An absolute bulletproof workhorse - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brian - September 21 - 9:35 pm

  Lets be perfectly clear. This is a commuter car. If that is what youre looking for, then this is the best value there is. My wife bought this car brand new before we met. Now she has a 20 mile commute and mine is 120 round trip, so the Elantra now carries me to work everyday. I plug away the miles, in traffic and at 80mph day after day. There was some sort of sensor problem a couple years back, but that was while it was still under warranty and hasnt repeated. Im about to roll over 100,000 and it is running like new. I fully expect to get well over 200,000 out of this little beast. Even though its small, i fit comfortable as a large man. Im 65" and 240lbs. I spend 2.5 hours a day in this car and am plenty comfortable. It fits 4 normal sized adults comfortably. On the professional level, I sell components and raw materials into the Asian auto markets. Hyundai is right up there with the Japanese auto makers in terms of quality control and engineering. It is built to last.

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  My Elantra is a great car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By billbond - August 31 - 9:57 am

  I bought my 2008 Hyundai Elantra brand new. I have never had a more dependable car. I have never had a tune up and I now have 145K miles on it and it runs great. Just got back from a 10 hour (each way) vacation trip and we had no issues.

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  Great Car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By iraqwarvet - March 25 - 12:06 pm

  I bought my Elantra with 82,000 miles on it. It is still very solid, no rattles and drives great. And, the gas mileage! Oh so sweet! You could not ask for a better car!

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  Good Car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By dhet - January 20 - 12:55 pm

  I purchased my 2008 Elantra GLS new. It now has over 62,000 miles on it. It has been a very good car for the money. I love mine. I plan on giving it to my grandson in a few years when he starts driving. Then I will buy a new one. But first the few cons: I would like just a bit better fuel economy. And the 30,000 and 60,000 mile service costs seemed to me a bit on the high side. I wish the trunk lid would pop just a little so that I could nudge it up with my hip when my hands are full. As it is, it is necessary for me to empty at least one arm to get the lid up. I can’t think of any more cons. -- I have not found engine noise on aggressive accelerations anything to complain about—it is there, but it’s not a big deal to me. I seldom accelerate hard. Now this is what I like most: The car has great road manners. It feels tight and solid even after 60,000 miles. Road noise is not excessive. The steering is perfect. The breaks are sure and smooth. Acceleration is good. Instruments are easy to read. Controls are easy to reach. In the cold the car heats up and clears the windshield quickly—unlike so many cars, it is the driver’s side that clears the fastest. A few other points: I have been driving cars for over 50 years and always apply good driving techniques: The original tires lasted 50,000 miles. The original breaks lasted 45,000 miles. I get the oil and filter changed every 3000 miles. I religiously follow the maintenance schedule to the letter. I have my tires rotated and balanced ever 5000 miles: I have never experienced a mechanical breakdown or anything in need of urgent car with this car. Of the many cars I have owned, this is the first one I can say this about.

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  I love this car! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By David - November 9 - 2:00 am

  An incredible car, period. A real bargain for this kind of $s. Excellent comfort in front seat, good in back for 2 adults. Interior has best ergonomics of any car. Reach for a cup holder, the wipers, cruise control, etc., everything is exactly where you expect. Reliability is awesome, 0 defects, 0 problems. Car is so quiet seems the engine is off, all you hear is the awesome radio. Engine runs beautifully, smooth as silk. Suspension smooths out the potholes great. Stable ride, acceleration, and steering. Its easy to get up to 80 MPH without noticing, the suspension/steering is so steady & the engine so smooth. My MPG is less than advertised 24 MPG suburban mixed, 29-31 on open highway.

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  Love it - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Livlife - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my Elantra for over 2 years now and still love it! I am a big guy who drives a lot for work, however I fit well into the Elantra. My kids call it "lightning" and I like the gas mileage. I did change the cheap tires quickly, and also put new brakes/rotors on at 55k. Other than that, I have had zero issues.

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  We love this car. - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Matt - October 11 - 2:00 am

  My wife and I couldnt be happier with our car. You really cant find a better car without spending a lot more money. We get excellent fuel economy (mid 30s everyday, 40+ on back-road road trips), without a bulky hybrid battery and without compromising safety, comfort or performance. The FWD provides great traction we had a brutal winter last year and only got stuck once, when we got high-centered in several feet of snow. The interior is well thought-out, with plenty of cubbyholes and cup/bottle holders - great for road trips. MP3 CD and aux input are nice features. We havent babied this car, but with regular maintenance it still runs and drives like new. Havent had a single problem yet.

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  I love my car! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By KA Seattle - August 6 - 10:38 pm

  I was so hesitant to purchase a Hyundai after owning a 1998 Honda Civic for 11 years. I absolutely love Hondas, period. However, I read all the reviews and did my homework and felt prepared to buy this little gem. I now find it now laughable that Honda and Toyota insist on charging a horrendous amount extra for AC, a sunroof, automatic trans., power steering, cruise control, IPOD compatibility, etc. A $12,000 2008 Civic gets you "maybe" 2 of the above items (read the fine print people!)I only paid about $12,100, 10Kmi, and got all of the above features and this car gets about 32 MPG with a warranty that knocks Honda out of the park. I may just be a Hyundai fan now for life. Well see!

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  So far so good - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By charmeming - July 21 - 7:01 pm

  I bought this car almost 2 years ago. It has about 28,000 miles on it. As others have mentioned, I have experienced some instances of the trunk popping open seemingly on its own. I think that it may be because there is a button on the remote which possibly gets pushed, but cant be sure. Additionally, the ESC sometimes shuts off on its own especially when its rainy. I live in Columbus, OH where it ices rather than snows and the ESC did kick in a few times, works well when its on and kept me from sliding into the curb once. I think that the interior is much nicer than other cars in the same price category. The trunk is roomy it handles nicely and is quiet compared to other cars.

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  Best car for the money - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Best car in catagory - March 13 - 11:43 pm

  Bought the car a week a go drove it about 1000 miles and it does not drive like a compact car its more like a full size ride, getting around 37mph mixed city/hwy .Tested several cars and it beat the others out so we bought it.this 4cyl is quiet even at 80 mph and plenty fast enough on take off,car is roomy smooth ride what else could you ask for. Review,s are about right except for the ones selling other brands trying to ho do you.