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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  Cabin Noise - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jaspinder - April 11 - 8:59 am

  While driving on freeway, too much noise inside car for new vehicle.

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  low car maintenance/ cost to own - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By oscar - April 11 - 12:46 am

  I average 30 miles per gallon and have had no unscheduled maintenance costs. I had the car for 3 years now.

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  Exceptional Car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Mark - April 10 - 5:30 pm

  This is a fine car in every respect: comfortable, maneuverable, fun-to- drive,and totally reliable. Our gas mileage has averaged 30.2 mpg since purchase in Feb. 2004. Build quality is excellent - no rattles or other unexpected noises. Everything works as expected. The blue-light instruments are very easy to see. The heater/ac system controls are direct and effective. The back is quite spacious. We folded down the easy-to-use rear seats, and now have plenty of room for our two medium-sized dogs. As for performance, the handling is confident with an incredibly tight turning radius. Comfortable, but firm ride (GT model) with good brakes. All in all, this is an amazing automotive value.

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  Very good starter car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By crazyutty - April 9 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for more than a year now and Ive had NO problems with it! Its slower with the pickup than Im used to, but it keeps up with traffic pretty well! Its got awesome handling and has saved me from quite a few accidents (DC traffic can be lethal!) The ABS brakes have also come in handy a couple times in the rain and snow! I dont think the stereo is as amazing as people say it is, but for a factory system, its not bad!

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  Buy one! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By wjh - April 8 - 2:00 am

  I havent spent a cent on repairs, or had it in the shop other than for regular maintenance. You will have a hard time finding a better value for you dollar than this auto. On the highway I average 35 mpg and in mixed driving (hard) I average 25 mpg. The a/c and heating systems are the best in any car I have owned, including several luxury cars.

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  21 months later - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By BMC - April 7 - 2:00 am

  Ive waited to write this review, because I put a lot of emphasis on quality and reliability. When I test- drove comparable cars, this was a hand- down winner in comfort and ride quality. It also had better features for a lower price. After almost two years of ownership, Im pleased to say its also very reliable.

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  What a piece of $@*# !!!!!!! - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By SH - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Four months after purchase: rattling noises, lost a lot of pick-up, and car kicking when going past 30mph. Dealer determined: "all components are functioning to factory standards." Brought car back 5 times and not fixed. Two weeks ago, car lost more pick-up, rattling strongly when in idle, lost almost all power going from 45 to 60mph. Went to my mechanic and asked him to check out. Mechanic asessed that there is something wrong with the fuel injectors and the trans and the air filtering system is not functioning properly (water seeping in). Well see what the dealership says to that!

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  *** - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By marcy - April 2 - 10:00 am

  auto has had many repairs (under warranty), but still have had to go into the dealer to have the reapirs done and it take the servic department several hours at a time. I would never recommend this car to anyone. Save yourself the trouble.

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  NOT GOOD FOR LONG DISTANCE DRIVING - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Linda - March 31 - 8:36 am

  After driving the car now for eight months, I can now give a more authentic review. I am extremely disappointed in the gas mileage. When I first got the car, the mileage was great. Now eight months later, the mileage is no way as good as when I first purchased the vehicle. The Elantra is a great car if you are only planning to drive around town. The Elantra is NOT for long distance driving. The pick-up is lousy. I have a short commute to work, so the Elantra works for me. Its a nice car for short distance driving.

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  My Excellent Car - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By Morgalis - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. It is the first "New" car that I have bought and if I plan on buying a new one I will probably buy a new Elantra or upgrade to another Hyundai. They are wonderful cars to drive and so reliable!!!