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 value! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By glsazman - August 17 - 12:43 pm

  I just bought my Elantra GLS a few days ago and so far Im extremely satisfied. I got the idea of buying a Hyundai because my sister just purchased a Sonata and I thought it was a really nice car for the price. The Sonata is a little too big for what I need and I love the gas milage the Elantra has. I am really suprised at how many options you get for the price. I couldnt decide between the limited or the GLS but Im not a big fan of moon roofs. I didnt see the value on the limited so I found a GLS with the preferred Pkg and that was great! The car handles well and drives great.

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  Glutton for punishment - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By fl_lead_foot - August 11 - 6:30 pm

  I love our 2012 Hyundai Elantra GLS SO MUCH, I just bought a SECOND 2013 Hyundai Elantra GLS to add to sit beside it. We have 15k on the 2012 and so far so good! The ONLY cars I have ever owned two of (NEVER at the same time), in years of buying cars and owning MANY, was two VW Jettas, two Jeep Grand Cherokees, Two Jeep Wranglers, and two Chrysler Sebring convertibles (Im a ragtop kinda guy). When I find something I like/works, I tend to stick with it!

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  Sleek All Around - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By kmbrlysue - August 9 - 5:16 pm

  I purchased the 2013 Hyundai Elantra Limited the end of May (owned 2.5 mos) & have 4000 miles on it. 30 city/38-43 hwy. So far, the only concerns I have are the paint quality and road noise. Hyundai offers a package for a coat of protectant for the paint & windows for almost $3000 more, which may have been nice to have purchased. My car has already had 3 dings from parked cars & it has chipped the paint. Concerning the road noise: it is smooth until hitting rough road or block chunks on the interstate. Another noise is on the roof when it rains. Sounds like water hitting tin. The sunroof cover helps w/noise.

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  Best New Car - 2012 Hyundai Elantra
  By kwheels - August 9 - 10:57 am

  I bought this car for my wife and weve been very pleased. Weve driven over 23,000 miles on our 2012 Elantra Limited are averaging a consistent 37mpg during routine weekly driving in Eco mode. When it was new and with Eco mode turned off the worst tank average was 29mpg. Since the 10,000 mile mark the worst weve seen is 31-34mpg while driving around Atlanta traffic. When driving on the highway the first tank full averages 39mpg, and every tank afterwards averages 45-47mpg. We travel with 2-3 passengers and about 100lbs of luggage.

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  i love my elantra! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By kstu_mn - August 8 - 2:21 pm

  First time new car buyer and dont regret buying new at all. So far have put 2000 miles on it and averaging upper 30s for mpg. Fun to drive and I am a huge fan of both the interior and exterior design. Inver Grove Hyundai was very helpful in explaining all the features. The car doesnt have great acceleration but I am very pleased with everything else. Love this car.

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  The undisputed champion in the compact car segment - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By ca_lawyer1 - July 22 - 1:08 am

  After test driving every other 2012/2013 compact car and doing months of researching (lawyers love researching) I ended up purchasing a 2013 Elantra GLS with the preferred package and 8 miles on the odometer for $20,600.00 (out the door). My miles per gallon with the econ button off and the a/c on are always in the high 30s. The cabin is quieter and the base sound system is better than the Civic, Corolla, Cruze, Focus and Mazda 3. The truck is huge (for lack of a better word). The truck is bigger than my wives 2008 Acura TL 4 door. The steering is so light one turn turn the steering wheel using one finger. Engine power is on par with every other compact car in this class.

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  Awesome car - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By - July 2 - 10:58 pm

  I so love this car, it has been very reliable and a great MPG, I love my experience with the Happy Car store

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  Great Car! - 2011 Hyundai Elantra
  By bacon777 - June 22 - 9:42 am

  A few years ago, I never would have given a Hyundai a second glance but I love my 2011 Elantra. I typically average 40 (sometimes higher) on my long commutes during the day and still get about 30 in the city. This has cut my gas bill quite a bit. The entire looks amazing though the black can make it pretty warm during the summer. Has many great safety features and the warranties beat pretty much any other car I researched before purchasing. Only downside Ive come across so far is Hyundais replacement of a spare for the pump and seal device in order to maintain good fuel economy. Once my roadside assistance is up, Ill probably invest in a spare.

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  Real life 29/40 mpg is realistic! - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By himpg1 - May 26 - 4:59 pm

  After 2 months owning the 2013 Elantra Limited and 2600 miles driven, I have found the car will get the 29/40 mpg as listed unless there is strong head winds! Read the 2012 April Popular Mechanics magazine article that tests the Elantra on normal highways and city streets. They were able to easily exceed the 29/40 mpg. This car will do it! It takes a conservative driving style and a desire for good mpg instead of speed or performance. Still very impressed with our Elantra, and no complaints.

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  Ideal Commuter Car for the Larger Guy - 2013 Hyundai Elantra
  By lleopold - May 21 - 12:56 pm

  I bought mine two weeks ago after conducting extensive research on commuter vehicles to relinquish my diesel pickup to pure recreational status (I tow a trailer). I commute 74 miles per day to and from work and had been using my wifes Mazda 6 for a number of months. Im a larger (250 lbs, 511") guy so I have a hard time getting into compact cars, so I really didnt enjoy commuting using my wifes car. I found that I could easily get into and out of this car! The form and fit were perfect for the commute and I believe this car would also be great for long-distance travel and bluetooth connection is perfect when Im on conference calls. Im seeing 36 mpg average and its increasing.