Overview & Reviews

After a complete redesign last year, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra gains an "Active Eco System" that modifies engine and transmission parameters at the push of a button to increase fuel economy by up to 7 percent. The names of option packages have also been changed.

• Comfortable and well-built cabin
• Outstanding fuel economy on all models
• Large trunk
• Lots of features for the money
• Distinctive styling.
• Long warranty coverage

• Not as sporty as some rivals.
• Limited rear headroom

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 117.00

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  Elantra save my life - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By auntdawnie8 - April 10 - 10:48 pm

  3/21/12, I totaled my 2008 Elantra. Seatbelts and airbags saved me life.

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  Car Failure with only 8 miles - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By ten29811 - March 27 - 11:21 pm

  I was very excited to drive off in my new Elantra 2012 with only 8 miles on the engine. The joy went away as an engine light went on the day after purchase. Took the car back to the dealer only to have them say all is good. The engine ran rough and would almost stall at times. The car has been at the dealer for over a week and I was told that they dont know what the problem is and the engineer from Hyundia will need to determine the problem. Needless to say I am not pleased with my first Elantra. To think I decided not to buy another Toyota due to all the great reviews.

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  First new car with the worst mpg - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By drewberry - March 1 - 2:06 pm

  This is an update from the one I did 2 months ago or so. The car is still nice but the gas mileage sucks. No matter city or highway or driving conditions I only get between 21-25 mpg. And the miles to empty when full is 259 exactly. Both of those numbers are horrific for a compact car as well as a car that suppose to get 29 city/ 40 highway. I drive extremely gas efficiently and have not even came close to the 30s at least. I have started to look cars I can trade this for....maybe 2012 honda civic ex....But I am trully done with Hyundai. Such a disappointment.

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  2012 elantra - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By gts4 - January 30 - 2:00 pm

  traded our 2010 elantra se for the 2012 gls its more comfortable than the 2010 gas mileage is alittle bit better car handles well but suspension is cheap on this car we have 7500 miles on the car and I belive the rear shocks are gone it sounds like the back wheels are falling off we sent it back to the dealer they said everything looks good its going back a third time it has the old time strait rear axle that went out in the 80s biege seats stain easy car has some blind spots front pilars and rear hard to see when pullig out in traffic backing can be bad also gas mileage is between 24 - 32 sometimes if the wind is blowing in the right direction you might get 36 on the highway not much power

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  12,000 Miles and Happy - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By zunni - January 23 - 2:40 pm

  I purchased the 2012 model back in the summer of 2011 - this has led to some confusions in reviews. This is really a great car - for its design intentions -- I purchased it due to my 120 mile per day commute - all highway - it has been reliable, and the gas mileage claims have been very accurate. I love the look of the car, its handling and its fairly peppy for a small car. My major gripes - the car is extremely light and does not do well in any cross winds - it becomes jittery. The front and rear body work is on the cheap side - all light polymers... In snow it is terrible - I just purchased a set of snow tires and this fixed the problem

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  Great Commuter - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By cachec1883 - January 20 - 2:23 pm

  Overall, this is a great car to own. Purchase price was below other vehicles ($18,100), the warranty is the best in the industry, and maintenance costs should be low. Hyundai uses a timing chain rather than a belt, so there will be no replacement needed every 60k miles like a Honda. Hyundai also has a sealed transmission that will never need to be flushed or have fluid replaced. The owners manual also recommends changing the oil only every 7,500 miles under normal driving. Fuel efficiency has ranged from 37-39 mpg at freeway speeds in good weather, and 33-37 mpg in cold weather.

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  2012 Elantra " Diesel" engine - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By maleoskop - January 10 - 10:31 am

  I bought a 2012 GLS on 12/20/2012. After two days I thought it was a diesel as it "rattled" that much. Took it to the dealer and they found metal shavings in the oil of my car with 26 miles on the clock.They replaced it for a 2012 Limited and this one has a worse grinding "diesel" like sound. I drove a Jetta TDI which is half as quiet as my Elantra. This is not just at startup, but when you accelerate. Am I crazy or is this just how the motor sounds? My friends 2012 doesn`t sound half as bad.

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  Pros and cons - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By hkharlee - December 17 - 6:26 am

  I purchased the 2012 Elantra about a month ago. I had a 2005 Sante Fe that got approx. 15 mph, no matter where I drove, town or highway. I am averaging 32-35 with the elantra, big plus! Love the interior and controls. The exterior: sporty. The cons: I find being able to see clearly while backing up, leaves a lot to be desired. I can understand why some models are equipped with cameras. The shape of the rear windows makes a blind spot, the height of the rear end is too high to easily see while backing. The headlights: even on high beam, there is not much distance or light. High beam looks like dim compared to my previous vehicle. I am more uncomfortable driving at night now.

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  Definitely Worth the money for an outstanding car! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By birdiexris - November 21 - 3:20 pm

  I love this car. I got rid of my poorly designed BMW 1 series to UPGRADE to this car - there i said it. Limited - fully loaded to carbon copy of my BMW and i love it. There are no design flaws in this car. None. Everything is accessible to the driver and passengers. Even for a "light sedan" the car hugs the road well. No sports car, but its definitely fun to drive. Has the necessary power to be my commuter car and have it not feel like a commute. The technology works flawlessly and i havent yet found a problem working all the buttons on the touch screen -- which is not a junky screen and is EXTREMELY RESPONSIVE.

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  My first Hyundai - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By jduffy09 - November 1 - 3:55 pm

  20 years ago Hyundai was a joke. How times have changed. They are now building some of the best, most reliable vehicles in the industry. I took the plunge and bought a 2012 Elantra Limited. The styling is beautiful and Im convinced there is no better value on the market. Mine was nicely equipped with leather and sunroof for $21,400.