Overview & Reviews

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Hyundai Elantra didn't exactly get off to a good start, earning a well-deserved reputation for overall shoddiness and unreliability. But more than two decades later, the Elantra has become one of America's most popular small sedans. Take one for a spin and you'll likely be impressed with its smooth ride, roomy interior, high fuel economy and solid build quality. The Elantra also offers plenty of features for the money and long warranty coverage. While those long-ago Elantras are best forgotten, any new or used Elantra (that you'll realistically come across) is an excellent choice for a small car shopper.

Current Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra sedan is offered three trims: SE, Limited and Sport. A coupe and Elantra GT four-door hatchback are also available and reviewed separately.

Standard SE feature highlights include alloy wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player, satellite radio and USB/iPod interface. An option package provides 16-inch (versus 15-inch) wheels, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice controls, a rearview camera and heated front seats. The Limited comes with all that as well as 17-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a power driver seat, heated rear seats and Blue Link telematics. The Sport includes the Limited's features minus the heated rear seats and Blue Link and adds a more powerful engine, a sunroof, a sport-tuned suspension and keyless ignition and entry. The Limited can be had with a larger 7-inch touchscreen display, dual-zone automatic climate control and a navigation system.

The SE and Limited trims are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 145 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the SE, while a six-speed automatic is optional. The Limited comes only with the automatic. The Elantra Sport has a 2.0-liter four that makes 173 hp. With the Sport, the manual transmission is standard, while the automatic is optional.

Slide inside the Elantra and you'll find a cabin that matches or betters most others in it class. A stylized center stack and controls lend some flair to the cabin, and the materials, while not best-in-class, offer a rich look. Ample headroom and a smaller-diameter steering wheel contribute to the interior's spaciousness.

On the road, the 1.8-liter engine has decent punch and the automatic transmission provides smooth, well-timed shifts. This volume-selling powertrain should be fine for the majority of drivers. The added punch provided by the Sport's bigger engine should be appreciated by those willing to sacrifice a few mpg in favor of some added oomph. A compliant ride and a quiet cabin make the Elantra a comfortable choice for daily driver and road trip duty alike. The only significant downside to this Elantra is a lack of rear headroom compared to what's available from some other top small sedans.

Used Hyundai Elantra Models
The current Hyundai Elantra represents the fifth generation, which was introduced for the 2011 model year. Apart from lacking some slight styling tweaks, upgraded touchscreen displays, added sound insulation and the Sport trim level, these Elantras are otherwise identical to the current version.

 The fourth-generation Elantra ran from 2007-'10. Having established the Elantra as a legitimate contender in the compact segment with its previous-generation car, Hyundai updated the Elantra's styling, improved its handling and ride quality, and revamped the interior to near-premium levels.

Two main trim levels were available: GLS and SE. The GLS came reasonably well equipped, though it lacked stability and traction control. Those came standard on the SE after 2007. The SE also had more features and a sport-tuned suspension. In your used-car search, you might also encounter the top-line Elantra Limited ('07 only) and the Elantra Blue, which was an entry-level model offered for 2010 only.

Fourth-generation Elantras came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine good for 138 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. The transmission was either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Cars sold in California-emissions states could have cleaner tailpipe emissions (PZEV) but were rated for 132 hp.

Changes were minimal for this car. For 2009, the Elantra received enhanced suspension and steering tuning, along with new interior instrument and radio displays. A USB/iPod audio jack also became available. But in general, we were very impressed by this car and praised its roomy and comfortable interior, agreeable ride quality and value for the dollar.

The third-generation Elantra was produced from model years 2001-'06 and represented a considerable step up from the earlier cars. The sedan was bigger inside and out, and revised sheet metal gave it a more upscale look. Reliability and overall quality were also much improved. The standard features list was generous for the car's price, and included amenities like air-conditioning, full power accessories, side airbags, 15-inch wheels and an AM/FM cassette player. The 2.0-liter engine generated 135 hp (138 after 2003) and was mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic.

An Elantra hatchback, the Elantra GT, was also offered starting in 2002 and came with additional standard features, including leather seats and a CD player. Initially, the sedan was available only in base GLS trim, but by 2003, Elantra sedans could be purchased in two trims -- GLS and the top-of-the-line GT. Although it still lacked the refinement of segment leaders like the Honda Civic, the third-generation Hyundai Elantra shone as a solid choice for buyers seeking maximum value for their money.

One would probably do best by avoiding the second-generation Elantra – built from model years 1996-2000 -- though it did at least take a turn for the better from the forgettable original. The car got a welcome boost in power with the addition of a new engine, a 1.8-liter four-cylinder capable of 130 hp and 122 lb-ft of torque. Airbags were added to the safety features list, and a wagon body style was also offered. The Elantra's engine was upgraded yet again in model year 1999, to a larger 2.0-liter. Overall, the second-gen Elantra represented a decent buy in the economy car segment. It wasn't as polished as the offerings from Honda, Nissan or Toyota, but it was well-equipped and fun to drive.

The first-generation Elantra was produced from model years 1992-'95; during this period, Hyundai's hauler was available as a sedan only. Sadly, the car's build quality and reliability reflected its bargain-basement price. Elantras from this era were notorious for being sloppy in most of the areas that matter. They were none too quick either, as all models were motivated by a 1.6-liter inline-4 good for 113 hp and 102 lb-ft of torque.

User Reviews:

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  Best Economy Car Ever! - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
  By techguy378 - May 19 - 3:32 am

  I bought my 2007 Hyundai Elantra to replace my 1997 Chevy Malibu LS car. My Elantras engine actually has more power than the 3.1 liter V6 engine in the Chevy Malibu regardless if Im doing city driving or highway driving. The 2007 Elantra has virtually no engine noise and absolutely no road or wind noise whatsoever even when traveling at highway speeds. The headrests on the front seats can be adjusted to provide neck support just like the 2008 Nissan Versas chair height front seats do. The horn sounds like one from a large semi truck. The trunk space is massive. I havent had the vehicle long enough to test reliability.

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  Awesome! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By wei - May 18 - 12:58 am

  I brought this used car as my first car in US. It drives very great even it have 83000 miles on it. Never have any problem.

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  I [heart] my Hyundai! - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Petrina - May 17 - 6:14 pm

  This is the second Hyundai Ive owned (first was an Excel). Bought it used 6 years ago and havent had a major issue, just routine maintenance. The one thing that I would note with Hyundais is that some minor issues do crop up-- like, the drivers side power window is out of alignment, the lid to the storage compartment b/w the seats broke off, the front passenger door is a little tough to open no matter how much its lubricated. Like I said, all MINOR issues. Its a VERY reliable vehicle and I would DEFINITELY buy an Elantra again.

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  HAPPY HYUNDAI - 2006 Hyundai Elantra
  By me & my car - May 15 - 1:00 pm

  My first elantra was bought in 2000. Had an accident in 2006 and bought another one... Wouldnt purchase another car. For the price, waranty, comfort, reliablity, style, etc. What other kind of transportation is there? n-o-n-e. Keep up the great job in manufacturing such a tremedous car for the $$$$$... You can keep your Benz, beemer, Lexus, vet, etc. Give my a Hyundai anytime (and you still have money left for gas!)

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  id rather have a yugo. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By bgbstrd - May 11 - 9:13 pm

  No fun, no power, and phantom electrical issues. Been ok reliability wise, but is no fun. Steers like a Mack truck, rides like a Jeep with mud tires, and even after you sacrifice all the enjoyment of driving you only get about 24 miles a gallon. Thats not good enough for me. If it got 30 or better, then ok.

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  Hyundai Elantra 2001 - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By falugo - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I have never fallen in love with a car before... they were an instrument to get me to work and back! Now I look forward to long trips with the wife and having the time of my life.

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  Overall Excellent Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By micahnova - May 10 - 10:00 am

  I have not owned my car for more than 2 months, but already can tell that Ive purchased a good one. Much care and precision went into making the Hyundai Elantra. Everything feels sleek and well designed. Taking a look at the over-all driving experience, this car is worth the price.

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  2016 Base Elantra, manual tranny - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By Pastor Jef - May 9 - 5:11 am

  Dependable, easy driving, good space in the back with the seats down.

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  Relatively Reliable and Good Car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By HurriCane - May 9 - 1:12 am

  I have 47K miles with the GLS five- speed manual transmission hatchback, and I havent had any problem with the clutch or engine. Both have been maintained on a regular basis, usually a few hundred miles over every 3000. However, I did have to get the rear brakes replaced at 30K. But this because I was a little abusive with the parking brake while driving. Immaturity I guess. Everything else has been great, but the tape deck needed to be replaced with a more digital deck because of an electrical short at 45K miles. Overall, you gotta be realistic that this isnt going to drive like any type of high end roadster, however I have been impressed with the handling and gas mileage 28-35 usually.

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  Loved it until now - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By catcheme - May 7 - 12:59 pm

  Bought mine in 2004 used, leather sunroof awesome looking, dependable during college (traveled 100 miles daily) and during home health runs, about two months ago transmission would stick then backfire, fanbelt broke yesterday mechanic said "get rid of it before it blows up, its only made to last 100k miles". Now at 147k, love it but have to let it go, did have to frequently change headlights (not cheap ones either) and replaced the thermostat 3 times, the trunk leaks also, everything else great. I am going to miss it, great gas mileage, good size. costs too much to replace engine and tranny, oh and my paint job is starting to peel off on the edges (factory) cd player never worked for me.