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 11 through 20 of 373.00

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  Interesting take s on this car. - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Chris - October 8 - 2:00 am

  This car was a gift to my wife at 173K miles. It stood in the African sun for a year before the radiator was done and the head skimmed. After 200 miles on the very first trip, it overheated. Towed it to a work-from-home mechanic. Problem was a T-insert pipe in the cooling system repaired with silicon! This was re-engineered and all else done properly. After running it in for 2000 miles to settle the head, the power at 7K rpm pops your eyes. This engine is amazing you can do anything at any rpm. Never saw such before. In Johannesburg above 5800 ft ASL I get 42 mpg. Semi-city and synchronized lights. The soft body is an all-round crumple zone. Saved me a bomb! 2nd choice after the Mazda3.

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  Love It - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Ryan - August 30 - 7:13 am

  Bought new in 03 and now has 117,000 on it and still runs and drives great. Have had zero problems other than the typical eating of tires and the head and tail light headaches. Has been the most reliable car I have ever owned. Also, hit a deer at 55 mph and the front end held up incredibly well, just replaced the grill and hood after about a month and looks and runs great still.

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  its a winner - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By grandpa james - July 31 - 5:11 pm

  The engine in this car is amazing. Doesnt burn a drop of oil, even at 135,000 and the oil is still not very dirty (dark) at 5000 mile oil changes.

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  Dont Recommend - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Me - July 23 - 1:45 pm

  Within 4 years I have replaced the transmission, alternator, battery, brakes, replaced all 4 tires, and have gone through about 8 headlights. This is a nice cheap car, but you pay for what you get. I do not consider this car reliable, one thing breaks after the other. Gas is terrible and paint scratches easily.

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  Ultra-Reliable, Great Purchase - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By balconyinthesun - June 17 - 12:37 pm

  Bought this car in 2007, so it was 4 years old with about 70K kilometers on it. So far, there has been NO major work needed. This car starts immediately in -40 degree Celsius weather, a better track record than our 2005 Volks Jetta which needs to be boosted at least twice each winter. This car is pushed really hard with many road trips carrying full loads. Fuel economy is better than our other car, so we take this one on long road trips. There is no a/c, no power anything, but that means that any repair costs are much lower. Were having issues with the wiper motors right now, but we live spitting distance from freight trains, so there may be tons of dirt. Overall, I LOVE this car.

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  80% - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By MissMissouri - June 16 - 3:03 pm

  I seem to have had the same experience as Mrs Barrett. Bought @ 25,000, currently @ 85,000. I run synthetic oil, keep up all maintenance religiously, and overall take care of my car. About 1000 miles ago (2 month.), I was driving home from work and my radiator reservoir tank blew a leak. It scared me. I was on cruise control late at night and suddenly I hear a loud POP and I see steam escaping out of the back of the car. The next day, and $500 later, I have a whole new radiator (reservoir tank alone cannot be replaced w/o changing the radiator!).

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  Not pretty but very fuel efficient! - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Steven - January 22 - 2:39 pm

  I have had this car for a little over 2 years now. It has 98000 miles on it and have never had a single problem with the car. The gas mileage is excellent! I always average 31 mpg! I would recommend this car for anyone who doesnt want to spend a bunch of money with upkeep and gas!

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  Brakes and Tires - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Kadaro - January 11 - 8:51 am

  I have 2 of the 2003s for my kids. Both are great and have one major flaw. You cant get the tires off if you get a flat. The steel rims rust to the hubs and needs a large rubber mallet to remove! This happened multiple times on both cars. Also, replacing front brake rotors....I couldnt remove them, and both cars the shop had to use a sledge hammer and bust the rotors off. They seize to the inner hub with rust.

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  great ride - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By irlaxhicksy - January 7 - 9:28 pm

  i average about 30,000 miles a year and i have not had any problems with this car other then a thermostat at 75000 miles and oxygen sensor at 70000 miles, i live in the north east where we average five to six feet of snow a year and i never have had a problem in the snow till start driving in about a foot of it, and thats with two rear tires that wont pass inspection now

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  Being Honest - 2003 Hyundai Elantra
  By Hard to Sell - December 22 - 10:00 am

  $12,234 was the total price thats Tax, plate transfer everything, for this 2002 Elantra they even paid for the inspection sticker. So far this is the best car my wife and I drove in this price range. The standard features and just great, the car rides and drives very smooth. My suggestion to you, try one before you purchase any other car in and around this price range.