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:

• 

  Wow, amazingly tight car! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By danbfree - August 2 - 2:20 am

  One thing that is overlooked is that the Hyundai actually has a stiffer frame than Toyota or Honda, and you can feel it. The quality is just there. Absolutely superb. Very smooth on freeway, tight suspension rides nice although its body roll in corners could be less. Its been said before that it looks like a baby Lexus or something, and in my silver color with tinted windows it does. I actually get a few looks. Rims are sharp looking. Absolutely perfect size car. Far from big, easy to drive yet amazing interior room. Transmission is a little on the "grandma" end of the performance scale but shifts and transitions smoothly. Trunk has releases to fold rear seats right near the trunk opening.

• 

  Best Standard Features for The Price - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Jim Ripka - July 31 - 6:30 pm

  Everything I wanted on a car came as standard features on the SE model. All four wheels have ABS disk brakes. The electronic stability control and side air bags make this one of the safest compacts. The ride is smooth and quiet and the design makes it look like a more expensive car. My neighbor asked if I paid over $30,000.

• 

  My Hyundai - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Dave305 - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Has horrible resale value afyet only 3 years old. Service department is horrible also and VERY expensive for maintenance at my service department. Would not buy another Hyundai again.

• 

  great car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By blahblah - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned it for only a little while and love to drive it. when you look at what other companys are offering in this price range and what you get with a gt elantra its a no brainer. Thats even without the warrenty.

• 

  Cant beat the value - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By teamjdc - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The fit and finish is as good as, or better than, any car in its class. The standard features beat the pants off of the competition and the price speaks for itself.

• 

  nice car - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By guppiechic - July 24 - 10:00 am

  Great car for the money. Expensive looking fit and finish. It has been mistaken for a Saab and a Lexus! I have driven 17000+ miles in the past 9 months without any problems. It does have a few interior rattles, but I live in an area with terrible ruts and pot holes everywhere. All in all, I am very satisfied with my purchase.

• 

  Reliability, utility, fun. - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chris wright - July 23 - 2:00 am

  Great car, only 1 problem in 3 years: the CD player has failed twice.

• 

  What A Surprise! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Philip KT - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Theres been an amazing change in Hyundai vehicles. My Loaded 5-speed Elantra GT(5000 miles so far)is a champ, with few indications of a cost about half of an Altima or Passat. Amazingly, except in pure Driving Joy (read: Fahrvegnugen)its inexplicable that even a Jetta costs 5-8K more then an Elantra GT. The only drawbacks were the salesman (unpleasant)and the engine(slow as a horse headed for the glue factory)

• 

  Sparkly Red, Sunroof, and Attitude! - 2016 Hyundai Elantra
  By Julia Stapp - July 18 - 5:02 am

  This is a great vehicle with features I only dreamed of having. I have under 2,000 miles on my car so far and am averaging 34 MPG in a mix of town and freeway driving, mostly in town. Plenty of pep, very comfortable, and great styling. I love the comprehensive warranty...a special blessing for a single senior woman. The trunk is gigantic. Highly recommended. August 2016: I have now had the car fourteen months and love it more than ever. Absolutely no problems whatsoever. It went through a lot of snow like a champion last winter.

• 

  GREAT CAR - CANT BEAT IT FOR THE $$! - 1999 Hyundai Elantra
  By METOO - July 18 - 2:00 am

  My husband bought me my little red wagon (same as in the photo actually!) in Aug. of 1999. Parts that we have replaced were all past the normal wear mark and we have done NO major repairs at approx. 36000 miles. Great warranty, roadside assistance, great price. Actually recommended the car to my mom and she purchased a 2001 Elantra sedan-what more can I say?? Next - I want the Sonata!