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:

• 

  Hyundai Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jlmcgary - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I have a 5 speed manual trans... and I love it! The seats are comfortable, plenty of room. Back seat passengers have plenty of leg room. Easy to see out of side and rearview mirrors. Controls easy to reach. Comfortable on trips (3 hours +). Turns on a dime, plenty of acceleration. Truly enjoy driving it...

• 

  Euro-hatchback - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By timques - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Even though down in PR we dont get some of the features(No leather seats, Michelíns, Moonroof, fog lights, cruise control) you get on the Mainland, my Elantra GT it is still a super buy, with better feature content for $1500 to $2500 less.

• 

  Koreans catching up fast - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Nate Kubel - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Its great to find a car, made right, made tight and syled right; that doesnt eat you alive when you buy it. It is reminesent of what a trhrill it used to be to buy a Japanesse car. Id love to buy american, but the factory loves making money too much. I do bear in mind that the asians dont pay their employees royal wages like we do.

• 

  Luv my Hyundai - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By TWHMOM - September 19 - 2:13 pm

  I have owned my Hyundai Elantra for two years. I have not had any major mechanical problems. Only oil and tire changes. It has been a joy to own. The projected gas mileage stated on the dealer sticker is accurate. I love my Hyundai and am considering buying another one for my daughter!

• 

  Highly Recomend - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By H TURNER - September 17 - 9:15 pm

  Almost 104,000 miles. I drive this car. If I do 55 -60 mph I can get 32mpg Everything has held up well and hyundi dealer has been great. I do not use them for service but when i need them they have been there. I compared it to civic,coralla,focus etc. I can buy a new 2005 for less then my 2002.

• 

  fun little car - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By mike - September 14 - 10:57 am

  I bought this car with the idea of getting a couple of years work out of it. Ive now owned it 4 1/2 years and 140,000 miles later i plan to keep it until it breathes its last breath. The car had 20k on it when I bought it. I took it down and had all engine/trans fluids changed to Mobil 1. A great ride, precise handling and enough power to make this car a joy to own. I am teaching my daughter to drive and now she wants one like mine. I think Ill buy her a 2000 Elantra so I will have the warranty. The only problem Ive had is a switch in the auto tranny. After that was fixed , no problems. I average 33 mpg hiway and 28 city.

• 

  go with elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By hndaigal - September 14 - 2:00 am

  i went from a accent to the elantra and am very happy with the change. the car rides and handles like a dream. the car is fun to drive and handles well in snow. i would certainly buy another elantra. im hooked!

• 

  Great car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jerome. - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I just love everything about this car it is my first "new" car.

• 

  Quality dropping - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By Thomas Klose - September 13 - 5:14 pm

  I have had 5 Hyundais in my family in the past 10 years. All experienced issues with rusting underside, and around all the brakes. The most recent 2012 Elantra went in with a value tap, and they replaced the engine. All the other models are known to have engine issues, but they were in denial on this model. They also pointed out the accelerated rust on the undercarriage. Speaking to other Hyundai/Kia owners, there is an obvious pattern where some cars had this rust issue, others did not. My local mechanic said the underside looked like a car that is frequently parked over the grass, but this car was always on pavement. There is something wrong with their undercoating or lack of in manufacturing. The dealer wanted to charge to fix it. When we got the car back, with the new engine....we immediately traded it in for another new car...not a Hyundai this time. Update 9/2017. Many of our friends with Hyundais says dealerships trying to blame owners for the excessive rust issues on the undercarriage. Said its our fault when its likely lack of rustproofing or bad/cheap metal used in body. FYI: Car always parked on pavement. Also, everyone I know also had the engine replaced. They traded cars in for other brands.

• 

  105K and running - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By mostafaelgamal - September 12 - 3:15 am

  bought in 2001 had minor problems but warranty covered it especially the transmission was leaking @ 95K, and the dealer fixed the problem at no charge and made all the recalls on the car too. didnt do any other repair except the regular maintenance for 4 years now. Had all the luxury I want except navigation at a low price