Hyundai Elantra

Overview: Is the Hyundai Elantra a Good Car?

The Hyundai Elantra is a compact sedan that blends affordability, technology, and fuel economy. Now in its seventh generation, the Elantra continues Hyundai’s tradition of packing value into its cars. In its earlier days, the Elantra competed solely on price. But now, Hyundai layers in more features (like driver-assist technologies) to stay ahead of the competition.

More recently, the automaker has given the Elantra a distinctive look to help separate the car from others in its class. While it may lack the engaging driving characteristics of some rivals like the Honda Civic, the well-rounded Elantra remains compelling for budget-focused buyers. How many miles does a Hyundai Elantra last? There’s no hard and fast rule, but a review of CoPilot’s national listings suggests the upper range is about 150,000 miles.

Note: Equipment, features, and trims can vary by model year. Always confirm these details when looking for used Hyundai Elantra cars for sale.

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Key Features

The Hyundai Elantra has:

• Sedan body style (coupe and wagon versions for select years)
• Four-cylinder engines, including hybrid power (varies by year)
• Automatic, continuously variable transmission (CVT), and manual transmissions (varies by year)
• Front-wheel drive

Trims

Newer Elantras are badged as SE, SEL, or Limited. There are also the sporty N Line and Elantra N editions. In addition, the Elantra Hybrid is sold as the base Blue and Limited versions of the Elantra Hybrid. Older Elantra trim names include the GLS, Value Edition, GT (a trim variant, not the Elantra GT, a separate model), Eco, and Sport.

Comfort, Technology & Cargo

The Elantra is credited with offering spacious accommodations for a compact sedan, but the rear seat may be tight for some. The latest model has a modern cabin design with an available 10.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. However, some competitors offer more cargo capacity than the newest Elantra’s 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space.

How It Drives

In most cases, the Elantra’s driving characteristics can be described as mild-mannered, like most compact cars. It does the job but won’t leave any scorched rubber on the pavement. The performance-oriented Elantra N (launched in 2022) is another matter. Its 276-horsepower engine and sport-tuned suspension significantly increase the smiles per mile factor.

Safety

Safety testing of the Hyundai Elantra is inconsistent, with some years not undergoing evaluations. The first-generation Elantra (1992-1995) has poor scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Subsequent editions performed better, generally, in the four- to five-star (out of five) range.

Reviews

Minus the first generation (due to insufficient data), the Elantra receives high marks from owners via Kelley Blue Book. The second through current generations are ranked 4.1 to 4.5 (out of 5.0). Consumers praised the car’s value, reliability, and comfort.

Related: Here Are The Hyundai Elantra Years To Avoid

FAQs

Why is the Elantra cheap?

As a new car, the Elantra is often less expensive than other compact cars like the Toyota Corolla or Honda Accord. This lower starting price and weaker resale values make the Elantra a more affordable used car.

How much is a Hyundai Elantra?

A new Hyundai Elantra starts at around $22,000. Prices for pre-owned models range from $2,500 to $30,000, depending on age, condition, mileage, and equipment.

Why did Hyundai discontinue Elantra?

Hyundai has not discontinued the Elantra, which has been a steady member of the automaker’s U.S. lineup since 1992.

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