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:

• 

  Surprise - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By ENU - January 31 - 10:00 am

  When I went to purchase my Elantra it was for price and warranty and to drive to work. To my surprise this is the best small car I have ever owned, so much so that I have purchased a Sonata. This car company has come a long way.

• 

  Review - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Tom123456 - January 30 - 2:00 am

  I really enjoy this car. It is one of the best cars ever. I love it.

• 

  elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By carperson888 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This little car very capable car. Hyundai sure have come a long way in both designing and fine turning this vehicle. Several years ago I would not even considered a Korean car. Now I am a proud owner of a Hyundai.

• 

  Phenomenal!!!! - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Joan H - January 23 - 7:40 pm

  Checked on-line for gas mileage and reliabilty and of course I had my choices from Hyundais, Hondas, Kias, Toyotas, and Saturns. I checked them all out and test drove a couple of them until I test drove the Hyundai Elantra. I had large vehicle that I was trading in and was used to a lot of room and the Elantra was not lacking any compared to the others. I did not feel cramped like some of the other cars I was in and felt very comfortable and secure. Absolutely a great choice for anyone.

• 

  2017 Beautiful Elantra - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sharon - January 21 - 9:53 am

  I leased my Elantra from Freehold Hyundai (Manny Lopez). Great customer service and a great deal. My car is beautiful and HYUNDAI always changes things up and makes this car better and better. Great car for and a great value!

• 

  Good, sharp looking car - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By GreenEnvy22 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Weve had our Elantra VE for a month now, and it has been great so far. The car seems solidly built, the engine is smooth and has decent power. The suspension is a good compromise between sporty and a smooth ride. We like the large trunk space and the materials for the seats. The dash is clearly laid out and has the imporant information on it. Fuel economy is good, not great. Comparing this to my sisters 04 Corolla, I think we got the better car for our dollar. For the price we got all the power options and a great warranty. Interior room is similar in the two, This is the first non-GM Ive bought and so far am happy with the purchase.Financing 0.9% for 72mos

• 

  Great car - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By El dog - January 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive driven over 32000 miles in this car since Feb. 2000. No major problems, and its a powerful small vehicle with 140hp. I have the five speed which lets me keep up with the big guys. I cant think of a better car for the money.

• 

  SpeedRules rates - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By SpeedRules2 - January 19 - 6:13 am

  The Elantra is a fantastic value for the money. There are other cars in this category that will do some things better. None of them offer the value or warranty that the Elantra offers. It has a spirited powertrain. The suspension could be geared more for sport and less for comfort.

• 

  No Hassles, Great Value, Happy Customer - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By djh10 - January 19 - 2:00 am

  I needed a reliable car that can haul a lot of bulky stuff. This thing is probably the best purchase decision I have ever made. This thing has been awesome. My only complaint is that the factory (Kumho)tires gave out pretty soon. I got every option possible and nothing has broken yet. (26700 mi.) Mileage has been a little disappointing in the city, but I make a lot of 0-2 mile trips with A/C on in Phoenix weather. Highway = 33-34 mpg. City 22- 24 mpg.

• 

  2000 Hyundai Elantra - 2000 Hyundai Elantra
  By Glenn Gillis - January 16 - 2:00 am

  Been a reliable car so far, but, I have this sneaking suspicion that the drive train will start having problems after the 100,000 mile warranty runs out. Only major problem has been a problem with the brake caliper sticking. Also a replacement battery was installed on 1/03, but, considering that this is a manufatcters battery....