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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  Super Safe - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By Popoon - January 3 - 10:00 am

  My daughter was driving the car when she was in a major crash. The car was totaled but she opened the door and walked away without so much as a scratch. The car was replaced with another Elantra as I dont want her driving anything else.

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  Spiffy! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Pat - January 3 - 2:16 am

  Great looking, comfortable, quiet on the highway. Sunroof very solid. Im getting about 30MPG after 1000 miles of mostly highway driving. Test drove both automatic and 5-speed. 5-speed is more responsive. In the very hot months of July and Aug., the a/c works like a charm!

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  Well Balanced - Perfect for Me - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By rgrande9 - December 28 - 2:23 pm

  Edmunds and Consumer Reports cover all the great things about this car. We test drove late model Corollas, Civics, etc.-rebates on the Hyundais were too enticing. Though I liked the Sonatas ride, I found the smaller Elantra handled better yet still felt roomy. Its well-appointed with touches that feel like a much more expensive car including the premium audio w/XM. I like the solid sporty feel of the Civic, but as Ive gotten older, I appreciate the higher entry position and comfortable ride of the Elantra (more like American sedans). The SE handled and rode noticably better than the GLS and the better fuel economy was a major deciding factor over the Sonata even with the smaller rebate.

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  My Hyundai Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bobby Buck - December 25 - 10:00 am

  My brother recommended this vechicle to me and I purchased it. Well I am not disappointed! This car has done everything I had expected it to do and then some. Plenty of pick-up, GAs milwage id wonderful. and comfort is awsome for a compact car. Hyundai has used quality parts, Fit and finish is as good as my Toyota, I will get one for my Daughter these cars are just to good to let it go by where can I get a well built car for under 13,000 dollars. and a 100,000 mileae warrenty to boot. Keep it up Hyundai, you sold me and I will sell others as well. One happy Hyundai owner

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  Great car - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Paul - December 24 - 6:31 am

  This car is a huge imporvement over the last generation Elantra. It is a much more refined vehicle. Hyundai did a lot of work making this car more quiet, with the use of stronger steel and thicker glass, the driving feel is more hushed and pleasant. The interior is very modern, yet practical. I use android auto and it works flawlessly. I have been averaging over 44 mpg driving mostly highway miles, which is awesome. Oh by the way I forgot to mention, I paid only 17k for a limited model. Overall this is a great car for the money

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  I love the Elantra - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By bigbear - December 23 - 2:00 am

  I had a Honda. Drove like a bucket of bolts although it was reliable. The Hyundai Elantra exceeded my expectations. I put on 27,000 the first year, and had absolutely no problems. I drove it from Florida to Pennsylvania, and was very comfortable. The car is very quiet and handles beautifully. Everyone who has ridden in the car is impressed. The warranty is excellent! Cant beat it anywhere. Great pickup!

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  Review - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By weeweewooo - December 22 - 3:10 am

  Reliable and stylish car

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  !!! MUST BUY !!! - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By M S - December 15 - 6:54 am

  I bought this car in 2014 with every accessory available. MPG has averaged 32.2 in city driving. Paint has held up well and so has the interior. Still looks brand new inside and out!! Miss my SUV so will be replacing this car with the 2016 Kia Sorento.

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  Oh what a feeling, Hyundai! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By iml8 - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Unbelievable. What a value. $13995 out the door! Leather interior, great sound system. Nice ammenities. Very good room. Lost its odd styling in 02, thank God. Dont buy another car until you drive this one! Lots of after market parts too.

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  Awesome compact - 2017 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steve franklin - December 10 - 4:53 pm

  VERY NICE CAR! Younger people dont know that in the 70s 80s that small cars had no options to speak of .A/C was a huge option. No power windows ,door locks ,cruise control etc.... My first new car was a1979 Toyota Celica. Those were great cars and sold like hotcakes! Little 22 r 4 cyl 5 speed stick and dealer added Ac. Hp rating 91!! Oh and Manuel steering. Loved it! Drove it everywhere including 3 trips from so cal to the east coast. Up mountain roads, no problem fast forward to 2016 and people bemoan a compact with only 147 Hp. Really? And all the options any one could want. And reiewers complain it has a little wind noise,some road noise. They do know this is a moving car right?. And some say it rides ok at 55 .please it drives just fine at 80 85 mph all day long! It sure does on my trips to Vegas and back! In this owners opinion, it is an awesome well equipped comfortable competent car, an economy car thats light years ahead of those that came before them. Not one thing that man ever built is perfect. Just buy it. Enjoy it take care of it.and it should serve you well for many many years.