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:
Showing 1921 through 1930 of 2,696.00-
Hyundai is a very good vehicle - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By Walter Crawford - November 7 - 10:00 amIve had my Hyundai Elantra for about two months. I am really impressed with the performance and quality of the vehicle. I feel you really get alot for the money. I have told everyone about my Elantra, the great ride. It actually rides like a much bigger car. Hyundai got it right!
-
Not what I expected! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By genemullen - November 6 - 5:21 pmI bought my Elantra as a commuter car. I have moved recently to the "ex-burbs" of Chicago from the city proper, and needed a fuel efficient vehicle with a low sticker price.I have owned Mercedes,Toyota, Mazda and top of the line U.S. built cars and I am extremly pleased with the Hyundai.It is the only vehicle I have owned that surpassed my expectations! I thought I would be sacrificing comfort, power and handling when I bought this car...WRONG!
-
Its still just a cheap car. - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By Big Muggle - November 5 - 11:31 amThis car has a few things going for it: leather interior, blue dash lights, fog lamps. It seems reasonably solidly built, and the engine is powerful enough for me. However, I think the essential cheapness of the car is evident in some of the mechanical and safety components. There have been 2 safety recalls, the catalytic converter had to be replaced (warranty) and the transmission had to be reprogrammed (warranty). The transmission is still clunky, the car vibrates under braking (cheap rotors), and also at highway speeds. The steering is totally numb (think 72 Olds), so the car is no fun to drive. Headlights awful. Windshield awful in rain. Hey, it was cheap. Next time, Mazda 3.
-
Do Not buy a Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By jackiefran - November 4 - 2:11 amDo Not buy a Hyundai! They do not stand behind their products! Warranty sounds good until you go to use it !! Hyundai dealership scammed me all the way !! After they they screwed me the salesman hit on me and tried to .. too !!
-
Major overlooked flaws from most reviews! - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
By JP - November 1 - 11:12 pmTest drove the car and notice 3 major flaws that are absolute dealbreakers. First, youll notice that the atkinson cycle engine causes a very slight lag between your gas peddle input and the engine actually engaging. This is compounded because due to this lag, the transmission is not married well to the engine, as I got a few false upshifts and then immediate downshifts. The second flaw concerns the interior build quality and layout compared to the Toyota Corolla. Im 61 tall and noticed when i lean my right leg against the center console, it bows outward considerably compared to the corolla. It feels like the middle console and dash are not secured together well at all. I drove the corolla and pushed my leg hard against the console and it didnt budge. The third comparison to the corolla is that despite having greater cubic foot interior, I could not sit in the back behind my driving position in the elantra, and could quite easily in the corolla, so that speaks to how well the space is utilized. An ok car, but not when the civic and corolla are both in the same price bracket.
-
excellant valu for money - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
By solarbear - November 1 - 2:00 amonly problem Ive had was tires wore out after 24,000 miles,.
-
Magnificent AutomobileLovelyElantraGT - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
By GLCMAT - October 30 - 2:00 amI must tell anybody vividly how joyful I am to have purchased a Hundai Elantra GT 2002(hatchback). Its mechanical, electrical and physical features are about the space-age (with cd player, too, great!)--what more will I ask for. This SMALL-GIANT automobile is socially and economically created with prestige for everyone with taste of class-WOW! My family and friends admire it.
-
MY GLS ELANTRA - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By alberto123 - October 27 - 2:00 amAwesome care, only been to the shop once and that was to fix a scratch. i love driving it. i have the 5spd manual and it really puts the power to the ground. this car rivals other more expensive makes in its quality and tasteful design inside and out. heck, even my engine has a decorative cover. i love my elantra.
-
Economical & Reliable - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
By Smhromeo - October 26 - 2:00 amBought this car new. Engine has been great and with over 100,000 miles, still runs like it is new. Never broke down. Recently replaced spark plug wires and battery, but no other problems with engine. Always kept up with scheduled maintenance. Came with Michelin tires and lasted 55,000 miles. Replaced brakes for the first time at 80,000. Spent very little out of pocket. Did get extended warranty to 100,000 and did use it to replace the retractors on the windows. GOOD CAR FOR THE PRICE!
-
Great Value for the Price - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
By JohnnyV - October 21 - 2:00 amI would like readers of my review to keep in mind that I think very highly of this car because it has a lot of features and refinement for the money. However there are some negatives. The styling is rather bland both inside and out. The fuel economy is not as good as it could be compared to other commuter cars like the Civic and Corolla. The leather seats are not as comfortable as they could be. The cars value comes in when talking about the powertrain and build quality which are both very smooth, tight, powerful, and quiet. The car gives the driver the feeling that it will last for a very long time. I would recommend this car to anybody who values quality and price.
