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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  Lots of car for the buck - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steven - April 25 - 5:20 pm

  I love my hyundai , not the best resale value but everything else you need is there, I have a 5- spd man. and they are very peppy for a 2 liter. The warranty sells the car , I dont regret buying it at all close to 40 mpg , i commute and it saves me lots in gas.

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  Hyundai Elantra - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By SteveSwims1984 - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in July of 2003 and three days later I went on an 1800 mile road trip to NH. During the time I was amazed with the fuel economy and the quiet and ride comfort in a car that was less than 15,000 dollars with all the options. Some of my favorite features on the car include the comfortable seats, the knob on the 5-speed, and the cool blue lit dials for the speedometer and tachometer.

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  Great Buy - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Gary A - April 24 - 2:00 am

  No problems whatsoever thus far (besides the recall). A great car for a great price. Reliable, fuel efficient, and stylish. Hope it has longevity too!

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  New Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bruce Munn - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Good looing little car. Fun to drive and I am getting 30 mpg overall.

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  GT Great Secret - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By kbocke - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Went in only to look, left with GT after comparing to Honda and Toyota. Lots of bang for the buck. 14,500 miles so far and not a problem. If this reliability keeps up Hyundais market share will explode. Had I known I would enjoy the GT so much I would have looked harder for the moonroof, traction control, ABS model GT. Already commited to another Hyundai, either Santa Fe or trade in for new GT. Extremely satisfied. My favorite new car in 20 years.

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  Helpful Hints - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By amber - April 18 - 6:43 am

  The car performs well, but is slow on take- off. I can hear air at the windows when driving fast. One sensor had to be replaced in 5 years of ownership. Would purchase another because of warranty.

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  My first Hyundai - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Frank Maples - April 16 - 2:26 pm

  I drive a lot of new vehicles for a large dealearship I work for. I have to say that I enjoy driving my 05 Elantra as much as any of the other new cars and more than most, regardless of price. Sure its mine, but its also fun! Ride and handling is impressive, and it feels very solid. I would definitely recommend this car, and have.

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  Excellent Buy! - 2002 Hyundai Elantra
  By mom of two - April 15 - 10:03 am

  After our 2000 Elantra was deemed a lemon, we were terrified at the thought of owning another Hyundai. We have had our 2001 Elantra for over a year, and we love it. The design is sporty, but functional. Fun to drive. It is fairly comfortable. I am happy to say that it is VERY dependable.

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  Happy with my first Hyundai - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By jprets - April 13 - 10:00 am

  Nice car inside and out. Researched this for awhile and nothing else touches it for the price.

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  Dont think twice! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Neal in Eugene, OR - March 27 - 4:23 pm

  In a world that is all about names and labels, it is nice to stand out from the crowd. Hyundai isnt the brand it once was. The Elantra is by far a better car than its competition, even WITHOUT factoring price. The car has a great suspension, smooth, but tight in corners. Its absurdly quiet inside compared to other cars in its class. The quality and fit and finish are better than Civic. The design is not boring whatsoever. When you sit in this car and drive it every day, you dont feel like you "settled". The warranty is really just icing on the cake, you wont need to use it. Hyundais are engineered better than Hondas: example: Hondas use plastic radiators, Hyundais use metal.