Overview & Reviews

Hyundai has added a GT sedan to the lineup. It has the same price and equipment as the GT hatchback, save for a rear wiper, and it gets a body-color rear spoiler. The hatchback will wear a black rear lip spoiler, and both GTs will come with floor mats. Meanwhile, the value-packed GLS sedan remains unchanged, except ABS will be slightly more affordable, as it has been added to the Accessory Group 3 options package, which costs $925. Finally, Hyundai announced that it had misstated the horsepower ratings for all of the models in its lineup -- the Elantra is now rated at 135 hp, rather than 140, though the engine itself is unchanged.

• Solidly built, powerful engine for its class, plenty of standard features, ultralow price tag.

• Poor offset crash test score, ABS available only as a package option.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 373.00

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  Review - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By spiffsteruno - June 28 - 10:00 am

  The Elantra is not a reliable car. It was at the dealer every other week for transmissino problems. The car has died on the highway and hyundai did nothing for me. I had to wait 2 hours for their tow truck to get me and they didnt even give me a loaner. I am very disapointed with this car.

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  Gave it a chance. Fed up. - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By ifaub - April 24 - 5:14 pm

  My wife and I purchased this car used in December 2006. One main reason was for its reported gas mileage. Another was for its "value". This car has been one problem after another. Multiple issues with the brakes (took them 4 times back in the shop to finally fix the problem). The paint downright fading/falling off on the door handles. MPG is around 19/21 even after the ridiculously expensive 60k mile service ($1200) and bringing it back again for diagnostics to see if something was wrong to cause poor fuel economy. Nothing found, but tried to up sell the injector cleaning service. Now, the vehicle feels like the trans is having some problems. Done with it. Trading it in this weekend.

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  Going on 5 years and 2 transmissions - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kim C. - March 24 - 10:44 am

  One month after purchasing brand new the problems began. Had to arrange multiple visits to dealership for various issues:1 month-check engine light repeatedly on 3 months- rotors had to be cut, new brakes warranty covered as per recall. 5 months-black around Windows and hatchback hinges needed to be replaced. All minor compared to the transmission exploding (pins blew out the side- pics avail) at 31k miles. Not covered in 100k mile warranty because I did not have trans. Fuel changed at 30k as suggested in manual. I compared w/ other vehicle manuals Toyota, Nissan and tran. Fuel change is suggested @ 50k miles. Suggested not required or car would stop running. Now 79k mi. And need new transmission.

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  Clutch-death, Best Warrantly? - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Bob - February 26 - 11:10 am

  There is a reason Hyundai does not cover the clutch...it goes out, soon and they know it. Ours went out at 60k and the dealer said it is not covered since a clutch is a wearable part. I said, a defective and very expensive part which is not covered under "Americas Best Warranty?" If you dont have a problem with a $900 bill to fix your clutch, buy a Hyundai. Else read the fine print on the warranty. Because of this, we will not buy another Hyundai.

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  You get what you paid for - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By marvin - December 31 - 10:00 am

  The Elantra I bought was below expectations. It had three major problems within the first 7K miles. In one case, the maintenance technician had to drive it for 400(yes!400) miles to determine the bug.

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  You get what you pay for.... beware - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Buyer beware - April 14 - 10:20 pm

  I bought this car looking for a reliable vehicle with a good warranty and a useful design. I thought that with a 5yr/60000 & 10yr/100000 warranty that Hyundai was confident in their product. I was wrong. At 61000 miles the radiator blew at 70mph - resulting in an engine overheat and SEVERE engine damage (needs a new engine) Hyundai will not honor the powertrain warranty if damage is caused by an unwarranted part (the 1000 mile over warranty radiator). Its in the fine print on most powertrain warranties. Hyundai has accepted no responsibility or offered any apologies for their cheap Korean part (radiator). You get what you pay for - sell it before it goes off warranty!!

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  good car bad service - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By unlucky - January 13 - 10:00 am

  been to shop twice and problem still exists

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  Theres a reason for the warranty - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By K.C. - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I have 15000 miles on my car, the dealership did what appears to be a terrible job with the 15000 mile service (putting the oil plug back in correctly would have been helpful). My 6 month old car just threw a rod. Its dead. Can I get a hold of anybody? No! Do I need to take time off work tomorrow to call the dealer? Yes. I couldnt get hold of Roadside assistance through the police dispatcher, but RA sent an automated message saying to take a survey through an option on their roadside assistance phone number. Thats helpful alone at night in the rain. Beware these vehicles and the dealers!