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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  Go Get One!!! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Blinx - October 31 - 10:00 am

  What a great car!! Great on Gas

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  Great car for the money - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Matt Porath - October 31 - 10:00 am

  For a hair over $15K, getting a car with traction control, ABS, leather, and a power sunroof is unheard of. On top of that, it looks good and is fun to drive.

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  Not Bad for the Price - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Admin - October 25 - 1:33 am

  Easy to drive. the Engine compartment was dirty at delivery. dealer said that under EPA law they cannot wash... BULLL When closing doors plastics screw plugs keeps popping out ( very build interior) ROTTEN DEALER

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  My Second Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By mnelady - October 19 - 2:00 am

  My first Elantra was good and extremely great in the snow. This new one has "grown up & become sophisticated"!! I see the looks from other drivers. Most people dont believe it is a Hyundai. I really like driving this new Elantra. This car can really move out when it is necessary. I think Hyundai did a real good job with the 2004 model.

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  Better than expected - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By sk_66 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Had the car for 6 months/7000 miles and I love it. Not a single problem other than fighting my wife for it(beats driving the family mini-van). Wish the car had a little more low-end acceleration, but it more than makes up for it with the overall ride.

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  Excellent - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dave LeHew - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I am extremely pleased with my new car purchase. At first, I was hesitant about buying a 4-cylinder vehicle. However, now I am very pleased that I chose it because of the outrageous fuel prices. It is the most economical vehicle for a college student. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase and would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Good - stick 5spd model - 1994 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sorin Leucuta - October 14 - 2:00 am

  I brought this car from a dealer in 2002. It had 61000 miles at that time and I payed $2,200. I one year i added 25,000 miles and the car still runs and looks the same. But the engine is loud now and i had to replace many tires and parts (horn, winshield pomp motor, brakes, axel, bearings). I alwais use Valvoline MaxLife engine oil. So its up to you to decide, but even if i love my car, my next choice would not be a Hyundai. Its not reliable enaugh. Maybe 2003-2004 models are OK, but I dont wanna take the chance.

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Hyundai Elantra
  By cdbluejr - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This car is the best car I have ever had (I have had a few). Lasted 6 years without any major repairs. Needs engine work now (93,100). Heater quit working last year (summer, 2002).

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  1000 miles in and I absolutely love the 2017 Sport - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By brundagefamily@comcast.net - October 3 - 10:04 pm

  I have completed just under 1000 miles in my new 2017 Elantra Sport manual transmission and I can honestly say that I love it. My prior car was a 2013 Sonata 2.0T and I was a bit concerned moving into the Elantra Sport for several reasons. First, it is a smaller car. Second, the Sonata 2.0T was a wolf in sheeps clothing as far as acceleration. My concerns were unfounded. The Elantra Sport has plenty of room, especially in the front seats. The leather bucket seats have excellent support and are quite comfortable (I am six foot and 215lbs). The acceleration in the Elantra Sport is well above average. I certainly havent been in any situation where the car was under powered. Finally I am getting about 31 mpg in a mostly suburban driving environment - much better than I was expecting and a significant improvement over the Sonata. I highly recommend this car!

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  Painful Drivers Seat - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kat - October 1 - 2:55 pm

  I rented a 2017 Hyundai Elantra sedan for a day trip (a 4 hour drive on the interstate one way and 4 hours back, all in the same day). The car looks really nice, but the drivers seat is incredibly uncomfortable. After only an hour of driving, I had pain in my spine from the top of my neck to my lower back, and in my arms, hips, butt and hamstrings. Also, my right big toe kept going numb as my foot was on the gas pedal. I adjusted the seat a million ways - up, down, forwards, backwards - nothing would relieve the pain. I tried adjusting the steering wheel up and down - nothing helped. I dont typically get pain like this from driving, other than my body just getting tired from sitting for too long. Bottom line, I shouldnt get prickling pain after just 1 hour of driving. There is something ergonomically incorrect with these seats. I really think the seats are too low to the floor and thats why no amount of adjustment helps. On a positive note, the headrests were not a problem. They didnt push too forward like they do in some cars. Personally, I never want to rent this car again. Its just too uncomfortable. Maybe its the right fit for some people, but not for me. The pain that I had from driving this car continued into the following day (after I returned the car to the rental car company). The only thing that started to relieve the pain was going to a yoga class. Last year, I rented a 2016 Hyundai Elantra sedan for a trip and experienced similar pain, but not quite to this extent. I read that Hyundai is making Elantras seating out of a different material for 2017 (SoyFoam - which seems really cool), but I dont know if thats part of the problem, or if its just the fact that the seats are too low to the floor. Its unfortunate because if the seats were comfortable, I would consider buying this car... but painful seats are a deal breaker.