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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All 10s!! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By ToddF - March 31 - 2:00 amFace it...You are not going to find a better deal anywhere. Hyundai is not the company they used to be. What other car manufacture would stand behind their product for 10 years if they were junk? The Elentra GT is a great car. It is well built, solid, powerful and inexpensive. What other car are you going to get all power, LEATHER, alloy wheels, 4 wheel disc brakes, a/c, 6 speaker CD stereo for under $15,000? And those cool purple illuminated instruments are nice too! I LOVE THIS CAR!!
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Really injoyable car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
By frank jaehnig - March 28 - 11:38 pmthe first foreign make that I had ever bought. I was interested because of the warranty, but once I drove one I knew I had to buy it and I have not been sorry. I now have 52000 mile on it and I love just as much now as when I first purchased it. I think that any Toyota or Honda drivers should try this car before they buy their next as it is a great car for the money.
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Why Pay More For a Honda or Toyota - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By PL GraBois - March 27 - 5:22 amThe 5 door GT,has the ride and feel of cars costing 5 - 10 thousand dollars more. Good gas mileage, 27-29, very quiet and euro looking. Never thought Id like it till we drove it. Save your money as the warranty makes it worth owning
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Engine change after 1200+ miles...STAY AWAY!!! - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
By Richard - March 24 - 10:57 pmI purchased this car with the understanding that Hyundai has improved quality and how I was wrong. At around 1200 miles, my car started running rough and the oil pressure light came on. Long story short, it was determined my car needed an engine replacement. STAY AWAY!!
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Absolutely the Best for under 20,000 - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
By Kyle - March 24 - 8:40 amI cannot believe how excited I am every time I drive my new Elantra. All of my friends absolutely love this car (as do I). I spent 4 months researching and test driving new cars, and for only 17 grand, I have never, and I mean NEVER encountered a car that looks as classy and has so much value. I have the optima white with beige interior and I have to say I like the design of the dash in the Elantra even more than the one in my partners Audi A3 (though I have not a single complaint about the A3). Overall, a wonderful vehicle. Fun to drive, classy, and a great bang for the buck!
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Reliable and roomy - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By Astrid Klocke - March 24 - 1:40 amPurchased in 2002, put 38,500 miles on it since. Only complaint: brakes started to wobble at 15K, dealer said the rotors need to be resurfaced. Supposedly the extreme temperature differences in the AZ mountains warped the metal. Not covered by warranty! That stinks, especially since my brake pads are still over 1/2 good. Car is roomy for my huge dog with the seats folded. Tires and FWD perform well in snow at 7,000 feet. Love this car and will buy another Hyundai when this one is out of warranty - despite the brakes. I just live with the wobble. Had Chevy, Grand Marquis, Audi before. The GT is the most reliable by far.
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Good Car for the Money! - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
By Eric - March 23 - 1:28 pmI have had this car for a few years now and have had no major problems with it.
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Comfort drive in a sporty body - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
By Sharon Graczyk - March 23 - 9:15 amFrom the moment I took the test drive I felt completely comfortable in this car! The look of the car is really sporty but classy....love it and would purchase another!
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Elantra GT rocks!!! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By Brittond - March 22 - 10:00 amI purchased a 2003 Elantra GT (pretty much same as the 04) and i ablsolutely love my car. As a 21 year old college student I was shocked that i could afford a car with leather seats, power everything, on a part time job. not to mention it sorta looks like a late model saab 9-3 (bonus!!!) For functionality, you cant beat it b/c of the hatch w/ fold down seats that fold completly flat with the trunk floor. It is a breeze to put almost anything in it, ive even put in 8 sheets of plywood without having to cut it!!
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Best car to own - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By craigwsr - March 22 - 10:00 amWe bought this car based on all the information we obtained on Edmunds. This has been the best car we have ever owned. I handles like a dream, average MPG is 29.1 and we have not taken a highway trip yet. On back roads the Elantra GT does not lean into the turns and holds the road perfectly. The only problem was w/Hyundai they did not manufacture enough models w/ABS and we could not get the color we wanted w/all the options. We cannot praise this car enough you must own one to understand the enjoyment of having/owning a Hyundai Elantra GT.
