Overview & Reviews

After a complete redesign last year, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra gains an "Active Eco System" that modifies engine and transmission parameters at the push of a button to increase fuel economy by up to 7 percent. The names of option packages have also been changed.

• Comfortable and well-built cabin
• Outstanding fuel economy on all models
• Large trunk
• Lots of features for the money
• Distinctive styling.
• Long warranty coverage

• Not as sporty as some rivals.
• Limited rear headroom

User Reviews:

Showing 111 through 117 of 117.00

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  Did Hyundai Provide Me Great Customer Service? - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Disappointed - February 15 - 12:53 am

  Hyundai’s safety recall Campaign 137 was on the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, which may have caused my car accident with my 2012 Hyundai Elantra. I called the Hyundai Recall Campaign Center several times about my case. Many of the reps I spoke with either provided wrong information, inaccurate timeframes for supervisors to call me back, denied my request to speak to a supervisor, or hung up on me. National Customer Care Rep Larry Bane managed my case. He refused my request to have my car tested in post-accident condition. During an oil change visit at my local Hyundai dealer, a service advisor recommended replacing my car’s yaw-rate sensor (the key component to the ESC system), and I approved. More than five weeks later, Larry Bane’s first conclusion letter said, “Unfortunately, we were unable to inspect your vehicle in its post-accident condition since it had already been repaired.” The message ended by saying, “We believe your vehicle operated according to its design in the accident.” The following week Larry Bane sent a second conclusion letter. This letter stated, “We have re-reviewed all of the available information regarding your accident, as well as the points raised in your most recent correspondence. Based on all of the available information, we continue to believe that our previous response is accurate and that your accident did not involve a product defect. With respect to the recall referenced in your correspondence (Recall 137), we do not believe that the condition that the recall seeks to address was present or caused your accident.” Larry Bane’s supervisor Chris said, “We pride ourselves in customer service and delivering excellence to each and every person.” However, he said the decision on my case was already made, and there was nothing else he could do for me. Then he added, “I’m trying to be really honest with you. I’m in the business for helping people, and I want to make sure that I’m doing my part to make us close any gaps and make the process as smooth as possible for you, and unfortunately I don’t make any of those decisions.” I asked him to clarify Hyundai’s conclusion letters. He simply said, “That was the decision they made.” Then I called the Hyundai Recall Campaign Center and spoke with supervisor Ethan. He suggested that “someone that doesn’t know how to write out a letter” could have composed the conclusion letters. Ethan concluded, “Honestly, those letters just sound ridiculous.” I wrote a letter to Dave Zuchowski, the CEO of Hyundai Motor America. He didn’t address my customer service experiences or answer why Hyundai didn’t want to test my car in post-accident condition. He said, “We continue to believe that our previous response is accurate and that your accident did not involve a product defect.” Do you think Hyundai was correct in refusing my request to test my car with the same yaw-rate sensor and ESC system at the time of the accident as part of the recall? Do you think Hyundai provided me great customer service? Do you think my next car should be a Hyundai?

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  A lot of misrepresentations in these reviews. - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bryan Kelly - February 3 - 11:27 am

  I know there has been a lot of debate about the GAS MILEAGE this car can REALLY achieve - to the point Hyundai had to issue some corrections, Being honest, if you cannot drive a six speed manual CORRECTLY, you will not get the 43 to 44 on the hwy - AS ORIGINALLY CLAIMED. I am fully aware the vast majority of US drivers most likely learned to drive in an automatic, and I have met many, many US drivers who have no ability to drive a manual gear box correctly. I learned to drive in the UK in the 1970s - the manual was the only option in most cars and engine displacement was always around 1600cc. It is not that I perceive myself as a brilliant driver - perhaps just 36 years of experience in a stick shift. So, with respect - I KNOW this car can achieve 44 to 45 mpg on the highway - absolutely no problem - and I do not think I was given a MAGICAL ELANTRA -- so these complaints are really not legitimate IMHO. If you drive this vehicle carefully using good manual changes -- you will get the original 44 mpg performance - trust me, I have had this car since 2011 - so I do think this is a legitimate comment!

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  85k and no big repairs - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Brad - May 27 - 7:15 pm

  I bought this car in 2011 and have only done routine maintenance (brakes and tires). So far so good. Update, 94k miles and still no issues.

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  Great looking car! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Alona - January 6 - 4:32 am

  Nice looking sporty car at a reasonable price!

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  Crashed the car and will never buy a Hyundai again - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By PAman - July 23 - 7:50 am

  After a long love/hate relationship. The steering and suspension were awesome.The car crashed with me in it with no known reason whatsoever. I had a near death experience. I was driving one morning and the car fishtailed twice on its own then went on 60 degrees angle to the left and crashed in a ditch!!!. The car was still in "Americas greatest warranty" and Hyundai really dodged it and denied any faults that can be with the car. After a couple of researches, the steering on models from 2009-2013 has a big problem of suddenly turning to the left and locking in that position causing crashed and fatalities. I was completely in love with this car and only using Hyundai dealership for maintenance and had a very horrible sad end. This car is not safe!!!!

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  Great car! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Pat - October 17 - 11:07 am

  I (still have) a 1998 Jeep wrangler with big tires and a lift and needed a better vehicle to commute back and forth between Jacksonville, FL and Pensacola. Bought it new 4 years ago and there has never been a moment where I havent been happy about my decision. Only 2 things I dont like: you literally have to slam the trunk to close it, and if youre going 40+ and hit bumps it has very unstable handling.

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  One of the best cars Ive ever had! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Becky D. - August 2 - 5:57 pm

  This is a truly incredible car. I bought this car used in 2013 with 35k miles on it. Now in 2016 with 65k miles, I have not had one problem with it. The only thing that I have had in the almost 3 years Ive had this car is getting the tires replaced once, and a few oil changes. There was a re-call for a braking problem where the car would roll, and my local Hyundai Dealer (amazing service, btw) fixed the "issue" (I never had a problem) immediately free of charge. The car is so reliable, especially considering that this car has 65k miles on it. I get incredible fuel economy and this car has saved me so much money on gas. I was once rear-ended on the highway off-ramp at about 15 or so mph. My car had a small scratch on the back bumper, and the cruddy Mitsubishi from the 90s that hit me was pretty mangled. I absolutely love this car so much and would even recommend it to smaller families, because of how much room it has. It could be considered a small family sedan if you ask me. I really think that Hyundai/Kia will be the next Toyota. An Asian import that is know for quality reliable cars. The Hyundai Elantra is a great value, has incredible fuel economy and reliability, and is an all around awesome car. Would recommend to anyone.