Hyundai Elantra Review

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS Sedan Shown

Just call the Hyundai Elantra the comeback kid. Introduced in the early '90s, the economy-priced sedan didn't exactly get off to an auspicious beginning. Early Elantras quickly earned a well-deserved reputation for overall shoddiness and unreliability.

Things improved somewhat with the second generation, but it wasn't until its third generation that the Hyundai Elantra really hit its stride. Introduced in model-year 2001, this Elantra offered improved reliability, agreeable performance and a long list of standard features. Suddenly, this Korean automaker's longtime also-ran began to look like a good value.

Hyundai's sedan is currently in its fourth generation, and this Elantra is the best ever. Take it for a spin and you'll likely be impressed by its smooth ride and responsive handling. Throw in its roomy cabin (which features a backseat that's spacious enough to accommodate grown-ups with ease), solid build quality and lengthy list of safety features, and the Elantra establishes itself as a formidable competitor in its category.

Shortcomings? You'll find one or two with a new or used Elantra. Still, these blemishes vanish into insignificance when you consider what a great value this Hyundai is for its low price. If you're looking for a small sedan that suits a tight budget, this one belongs on your short list of contenders.

Current Hyundai Elantra

The fourth-generation Hyundai Elantra made its debut in model-year 2007. The current version maintains all the strengths of the previous-generation model: a low price, capable performance and a spacious cabin. But it also takes a big step forward, offering the sort of sharp lines and crisper-than-ever handling sure to breathe new life into its somewhat bland image.

Three trims were initially available. The base GLS offers full power accessories but not much else. Most shoppers will be happier with the SE, as it comes with most of the features we expect for this class. There's also a top-of-the-line Limited trim with amenities like heated leather seats. All Elantras come with a healthy assortment of safety features, including front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and anti-whiplash front head restraints. SE models added stability control to this list for 2008. That year also saw the Limited trim get dropped, though most of its features could be had via an options package for the SE.

Hyundai's compact sedan is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-4 good for 138 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque, mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission. If you're purchasing your Elantra in California or one of the Northeastern states, you'll get a car that's SULEV/PZEV-certified, with a 132-hp rating.

Slide inside the Elantra and you'll find a cabin that transcends that of most others in this category. The look of the interior is more high-end than you'd expect, with attention paid to details like gauge illumination and build quality. There are lots of nooks and bins for storage, and both front and rear passengers are greeted with ample head-, shoulder- and legroom.

In editorial reviews, the Hyundai Elantra scored points for its brisk acceleration and stable ride quality. Gripes concerned the din made by the car's engine above 3,500 rpm, and the presence of a few cheap plastics on the dash. In consumer reviews, the Elantra was lauded for its sleek looks, fuel-efficient engine, and spacious, upscale interior.

Past Hyundai Elantra models

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.

With its second generation – built from model years 1996-2000 – the Elantra took a turn for the better. 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 joined the roster. The Elantra's engine was upgraded yet again in model year 1999, to a 2.0-liter listed as offering 140 hp and 133 lb-ft of torque. (Note, however, that in 2002, Hyundai announced that it had misstated horsepower ratings for its entire model line, and that this engine was in fact rated at 135 hp.) 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 a well-equipped car with a fun-to-drive demeanor.

By the Elantra's third generation, produced from model years 2001-'06, Hyundai had stepped up the Elantra's game considerably. The car 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 wagon was retired from the lineup, to make way for a five-door GT hatchback that offered standard features like leather seats and a CD player. Initially, the sedan was available only as a base GLS version, 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.

To stay on the safe side, we recommend you choose a used Elantra from 2001 or later. Hyundai has made giant strides in the overall quality of this sedan, and these gains are most evident in the third and fourth generations of the vehicle. Resale value has yet to approach Honda and Toyota levels, however, so picking up a Hyundai Elantra on the used car market remains an attractive proposition for bargain hunters.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.