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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  Never AGAIN!!!! - 2005 Hyundai Elantra
  By atoria - July 13 - 12:40 pm

  I bought my car in 2005 (brand new) only had about 19 miles on it, and i must say that i regret not listening to my grandmother when she said "go to the honda dealership" shortly after 3 years of purchasing this car it has been giving me issues. check engine has been repeatedly coming on for the same issue which pertains to a sensor(s)!!! and currently its the check engine is still coming on for the SaME ISSUE!!!!!! apparently my car is too rich in fuel!!!! I wanted to pass this car on to my sister, but will not due to the fact that it will take money with the amount of repairs that will have to be done by the car.. This was my first car and I havent been happy at all!!!!!!! and any friends who ask about hyundais I immediately tell them no!!! do not waste your money!!!!! because you wont have none after the amount of repairs you have put into constantly fixing the car! Elantras are for elderly folks who only travel around town. Hyundai has my complaint on file and I will continue to call with any additions to that complaint!

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  Great Car, Great Value - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By eflatblues - June 29 - 12:25 pm

  I wanted to wait till my first year of ownership was completed before offering my opinion. As of July 3rd I will have owned my 2014 Elantra SE Manual for a year and have put a little over 16,000 miles on it. My thoughts after a year is that this is a very good, solid, economical and reliable automobile and has been completely trouble free. I really like the styling and find the car very comfortable to drive. The fuel economy is fantastic. Mixed city/highway cycle returns 36.4 mpg and if I am keeping a steady 70 – 72 on the highway I consistently get 40.2. The Elantra is an exceptional value and is worthy of consideration in a new car purchase.

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  Has been a GREAT little car - 2001 Hyundai Elantra
  By paulnbedford - May 31 - 1:56 pm

  We bought our Elantra new in 2001 and maybe thats the difference from everyone elses experiences on here, but our has been a great little car only letting us down once. Turned out to be the spark plugs and wires needed to be replaced. Ive never seen a car jerk back and forth and act that way before in my life. Sure enough thats what the dealership said it replaced and it ran great afterwards. Unfortunately at the time it was bad enough you couldnt even drive the car though and had to be towed in. Fortunately though it was under warranty! Weve both said wed buy another Hyundai again without hesitation. Its been the best car weve ever owned other than our old Dodges from the 70s.

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  2013 Hyundai Elantra - Do Not Buy - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By sweenangel - April 27 - 2:06 pm

  This is by far the worst purchase I have ever made. The paint began to chip almost immediately followed by the steering wheel and gear shift. Then I got a flat tire and found that the car did not come with a spare tire. When I complained to Hyundai corporate I was told I should have reviewed the window sticker. Forgive me for assuming that the hole where the spare tire should be would contain a spare tire. The dealer did not point this out and they did not offer to sell me one. I hit a small pothole recently and the entire wheel cracked like it was made out of paper. The window sticker they chastised me for not reviewing carefully had incorrect gas mileage. Avoid at all costs.

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  Very Nice Car - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By hvac999 - April 9 - 12:06 pm

  I purchased a 2013 in 2015 after looking into a Veloster. I found the Elantra to be the best bang for the buck. I have owned over 20 cars in my life and I feel the Elantra rate right at the top for all around buy. I bought the Limited with the Technology package and it is truly a small "luxury" car. Read the Edmunds review for all of the options and you will see it lacks little. I would give it a higher score on the fun to drive factor because I look for windy roads to drive. My car happens to be Hyundai Certified and that is what you should look for , just to be smart.My wife has a loaded hybrid Kia Optima and she enjoys driving the car as much as I do. Oh, the car was built in Alabama.

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  Worst Car EVER! - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By amanda877 - April 9 - 11:53 am

  I hate this car....nothing but problems. Ive had the short block in the engine replaced, battery multiple times, starter replaced...the list keeps on going. Unreliable. Wish I wouldve known about the issues before...I wouldve gone with something more reliable.

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  44 MPG @ 65MPH on #66 - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By R. Lee Earman - April 6 - 1:14 pm

  Had a few problems but fixed under warrenty - really have no complaints.

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  Love my 2014 Limited - 2014 Hyundai Elantra
  By William Rice - March 30 - 5:29 pm

  I am not sure about the bad reviews because I love mine. I owned everything from, Pintos to Caddys. I like the car all the way around and feel it is one of the most under rated cars out there.

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  Outstanding - 2015 Hyundai Elantra
  By kello1 - March 14 - 12:02 pm

  i took this car on a 5000 mile trip through the Southwest with my Wife. The car performed flawlessly ! We averaged well over 30 miles per gallon every tankful . Even on the days going through the deserts traveling at high speeds. At 85 the tach was reading 2800 rpm. The car feels stabile at that speed as well. I really dont know the top speed of this car but I do know its above 115. (I have the Sport w/ the 2.0 four cyl.) Ride quality was very good. I did notice some wind noise around the driver door. I will see if this can be adjusted out.

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  Almost to 100K and problems have started - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By ldfranklin - March 11 - 2:17 pm

  I love my car. I have had it for 3 years and never had any issues. Gas milage is awesome and I get money reimbursed to me every time I take it in for an oil change - win win for me. BUT around 87,000 the car started to stall on me when I stopped. Check engine light came on so I took it to my mechanic. He said when hooked up to a computer it says "needs new engine". So I get it towed to Hyundai. They replace an oil senor valve (covered under extended warranty) and it ran fine for about 1500 miles. Then it started to stall again. I took it back immediately and now it is giving 2 codes and one of them is replace the engine. Now I am getting "I am not sure if Hyundai will cover this"!