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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  Great Little Sedan - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By sruczko - July 26 - 7:24 pm

  Open your mind and make sure you test drive a new Elantra if you are in the market for a compact car - like me, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. AMAZING value. Lots of room in the quiet, comfortable, well thought out interior. Predictable handling, confident braking, and more than adequate power and torque with the automatic. Unlike almost every other car Ive purchased my Elantra is rock solid and doesnt have a single buzz, rattle, or assembly flaw. I came close to buying a Honda Fit before I decided to check out the Elantra and Im so glad I did... this car is a keeper.

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  Very solid car and a great deal - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chris G. - July 25 - 6:25 pm

  I am amazed about how solid the car is and how much fun it is to drive. Nothing creaks or feels cheap. The car exterior (we have the dark blue) looks stunning. Inside even at highway speeds there is little road noise and it is extremely comfortable. Drove its first 200 miles today. Mileage for an unbroken in car was 36+ on highway. Lots of features that are expensive add-ons for other cars and it is very safe. The iPod interface works with my iPhone 3G even in very limited testing, just tell your iPhone not to go into airplane mode when you plug it in. Bluetooth interface in the car works, although I thought speaker volume sounds low.

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  Very nice car - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Very nice ccar - July 22 - 9:09 pm

  We bought this car from Hertz Car Sales for $9995+tax. We researched cars for several months prior to our purchase and were leaning towards the Elantra. When we saw this price, we went and drove the car. Wow! We were pleasantly surprised. It had under 25000 miles. So far we have had no problems. We love the handling, and at 70 mph on the freeway it hugs the road. Loaded with extras. It has a nice sporty feel. Consider this one if you are looking for a compact.

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  Not disappointed - 2009 Hyundai Elantra
  By MG41 - July 21 - 3:10 pm

  I purchased the top of the line Elantra (in Canada-limited edition) because of the ESC feature- but decided that the leather seats and sunroof and automatic climate control might be nice to have. I have thoroughly enjoyed the car so far- it drives beautifully and quietly and is responsive and roomy and very comfortable for driver and front seat passenger- no experience yet with someone in the back seat. The interior finish is first class and the layout of the dashboard and all features are consistent with a much higher priced vehicle. I checked out the competition- Corolla, Civic, Mazda3, Ford Focus and found the Elantra a better deal for the money and the 5 year/100,000 warranty is a plus.

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  You Get What You Pay For... - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
  By Honesty - July 20 - 10:34 pm

  Over all I enjoy my car. Its great on gas, smooth ride, great pick up,roomy, I get lots of compliments. I enjoy all the features,especially for the price. Its not a car thats good for driving up steep hills, especially in snow or icy weather conditions,its just down right scary. I was surprised at how easily the interior gets scratched up as well as the outside paint job.I have scratches galore from other peoples car doors, people walking by ect. Oh yes, apparently someone at the factory forgot to put a screw in my rear passenger window, it came loose. The dealership fixed it at no charge. Otherwise the car is ok & Im still happy I bought it.

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  My First "New" Car - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By Sylvia - July 20 - 9:46 pm

  Im very happy with our New Elantra (so far) Just waiting to see how it will handle this winter in the Ice and Snow. With the rising price of gas...I cant complain yet about fuel efficiency..but then again Ive had it about four months and have not hit the 1000 mark.

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  New 04 GLS auto sedan is just right! - 2004 Hyundai Elantra
  By RM&J - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Hyundai did their homework by slightly revising the 04 model with an updated interior that "works" just right! Instrument controls, seat comfort, stereo sound, quiet cabin, visibility, a/c -- all make for an excellent ride. The updated exterior is also just right and "works" to make this a sharp looking car! My wife and I are so impressed with this car over the corolla we traded in, we just cant believe we got such a nice car for the money! The review that Edmunds has given this car is right on target -- dont pass this one up if youre looking at a civic or corolla. Good job Hyundai!

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  Hyundai - Make of the Future - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By JayMo - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car loaded with features with a good cash rebate! Hyundai has come along way. 2-1/2 years ago this car was "tinny" and felt insubstantial and cheap. No more!! Compared with Protege, Sentra, Corolla and Civic. Extras included as standard features and price kicked butt. Ive owned Honda, Toyota and Nissan products and I believe they are pricing themselves out of the compact car market. All they have to offer is the snob factor. Wonder how long it will take most Americans to latch onto this great little car?

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  The car for new College Graduates.... - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By kennies - July 16 - 2:00 am

  Very nice car. This car is starting to become popular. I was looking an affordable car that can get me around. I dont want a corolla or civic, cuz everyone has those. I wanted something cheaper and maybe better. This car is it. Bought in August drove it 2 months 7000 miles already. Wow 3500 per month. The oil leaked once, but i fixed it by tightening the oil filter. The shop must not have tighten the oil filter when i did an oil change. Besides that its purrfect. Im planning to drive this car to the ground since its not going to have a resale value, which im fine with. I just know i got a good deal on this car.

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  Great Value - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By OmahaMark - July 16 - 2:00 am

  This is a fun-to-drive car with many standard features. It has a surprising amount of room inside. I am 63", 280 lbs and I fit in the drivers seat just fine with ample leg room (after I adjusted the seat angle a little). I like the fact that almost everything comes standard. The only extra I got was a spoiler for an additional $500. Everything else I wanted came standard. The only hangup Ive had is its low-end torque. It seems like I really have to wind the engine up to get it to accelerate well. It doesnt really take off until I hit 3500 RPMs.