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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great car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
By greg020594 - May 14 - 2:00 amThis is a wonderful car for the family, roomy and stylish. This car has a lot of get up and go to it. Would recommend this car to anyone who is economy minded.
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Hyundai Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By racer - May 9 - 3:28 pmIt is very reliable. It has a great warranty and roadside assistance. Great value for price. Fully equiped Elantra with sunroof out the door for $12,700.
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Love My Elantra - 2007 Hyundai Elantra
By POWRBRUH - May 8 - 12:40 pmI purchased a 07 Elantra Limited last night and I must say I am very impressed. The dealer had a Carbon Gray color with manual transmission and I fell in love. Hyundai has come along way with the style and quality of their cars. I plan on keeping this car for a long time.
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Elantra - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
By Rocky - May 7 - 6:51 pmWhat I like about the Elantra is that its a good car for a great price. Its affordable to pretty much anyone, even fully loaded. The Elantra has so many standard features, such as power windows, mirrors and locks. I have enjoyed my car, it has 40,000 miles and is running just like the day I bought it.
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Fantastic Car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By Farm - May 7 - 10:00 amThis car would be great even if it cost more than it does. Driving it feels like you paid way too much, then you get to look at the price and congratulate yourself.
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Great car for the money - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By J. Glaser - May 5 - 2:00 pmIn less than 3 years i have put 60,000 miles on this car. I had a few issues in the begining with superficial maintenance, but overall this has been a fantastic car for the money. It has reasonable performance, great cargo space, stylish, and as I already said, economically priced.
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JUNK - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By cafelady - April 29 - 7:52 amLook at something else before you buy this lemon bought new and from the get go,brakes were awful.Countless times to the dealer for brakes and 2 summers in a row for the air. I finally got tired of the vibrating steering wheel on the hwy,after many times at my mechanics shop for new brakes and balancing. Bought a Toyota,trade in was awful.I stood firm and got the mimimum on what Edmunds says here. I will NEVER buy another one.
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A Dependable, Comfortable Little Car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
By BosMa25 - April 25 - 2:00 amIm coming into this 02 Elantra GLS from a 97 Accord LX. I dont know why people think that Honda is one of the best. Iv had NOTHING but problems with mine... Iv had absolutely NO trouble with the Elantra.But "eeww a Hyundai" I think to myself.. I still think Excel.( Had 3 of them..) HYUNDAI HAS CHANGED. The Elantra PROVES it. Its built very tightly, and very quite ride. Excellent attention to detail. Better than Civic, Sentras in many ways. Its roomy. Styling is original. Its not hard to look at. But its not "cute." Overall I like this car a lot.. Root for the underdog!... Go Hyundai.. =)
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I love my car - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
By Nistal - April 25 - 2:00 amThis car is the better deal I ever had for what I am paying. Never had a problem, very economic and fun to drive.
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Best Kept Secret - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By gene frazier - April 19 - 2:00 amThis car is the best kept secret in autodom. Great fit and finish, adequate performance and in my experience, relibility second to none. I have had one problem in two years and 57,000 miles, warped brake rotors. The dealer replaced all four rotors no questions asked and the problem has not returned.
