The Hyundai Elantra is one of Hyundai’s longest-standing sedans which means that it is also one of the most popular sedans with a Hyundai badge. First introduced in the early 1990s, the Elantra is now in its 7th generation. The newest Elantra was revealed less than two years ago and it showcased that Hyundai isn’t messing about when it comes to design. So, is Hyundai Elantra a good car?
Yes, the Hyundai Elantra is actually a really good car because it combines many benefits into a single package. For starters, the car gets sophisticated, efficient, and fairly refined engines that aren’t too powerful, yet adequate. The design has seen great improvement with the newest Elantra which looks like it was designed for the year 2050.
Reliability is also pretty good, as is the case with most Hyundai models. The most common issues are associated with the car’s engine, the steering system, the airbags, the brakes, and various in-car electronics. The values of these are really good as well, especially with used last-generation models which are selling like crazy.
Practicality is on point with most other cars from this segment which means that the Elantra offers lots of seating space and lots of trunk space. Visibility is really good and the car comes equipped with quite a few family-friendly features throughout.
Hyundai Elantra – The powerplant
The new Hyundai Elantra is available with three different engines, all of which are either gasoline-powered or hybrid-powered. The entry-level Hyundai Elantra gets a 1.6L inline 4-cylinder engine with 204hp and 194lb-ft of torque. It comes with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed automatic depending on the market and options list.
The least powerful gasoline-powered engine is the 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 150hp and 132lb-ft of torque. It gets a 7-speed CVT automatic from the factory. Probably the most interesting engine option is the Elantra Hybrid which takes a different 1.6L 4-cylinder engine and pairs it with an electric motor for a combined output of around 180-190hp.
All Elantra models come with a permanent front-wheel-drive system. The most efficient engine is the hybrid one with a maximum combined MPG of 54MPG. The 2.0L model can return up to 37MPG while the 1.6L 4-cylinder can return up to 30MPG.
Hyundai Elantra – Design and chassis
The very latest 2020/21 Elantra model looks a lot better than all the other models that preceded it. Thanks to a hefty restyling, the new Elantra looks really futuristic which means that it is going to attract attention. The interior of the new Elantra is also really interesting, well-appointed with cool design touches and décor panels.
The suspension and chassis tuning of the Elantra is solely focused on providing you with a comfortable ride. This means that the car deals with road imperfections really well. It is not a sports car, nor does it try to be one, even though some might think that when they consider that it also comes with a 200hp+ engine.
Hyundai Elantra – Reliability and common problems
Reliability-wise, the Elantra is a really good car. Sure, it does suffer from certain issues, but that is to be expected with virtually all cars out there. The good news is that most problems with the Elantra come from you not being careful enough with timely maintenance. As such, if you do maintain it well enough, chances are that you will not be caught off-guard.
The most common issues are related to the engine and the engine cooling system. The car also suffers from airbag-related issues, a faulty power steering assistance system, issues with the brakes, and various electrical issues with the infotainment system and the in-car phone connectivity suite.
Hyundai Elantra – Value and practicality
Value-wise, it is hard to complain about the Elantra as the car resides in an affordable price group. These are popular across the US thanks to being affordable, yet interesting and well-appointed. This also means that used Hyundai Elantra examples are selling really well as well. Overall, the value for money with the Elantra is excellent.
Practicality is on-par with most other cars from this segment which means that the Elantra offers a sizeable seating space and a fairly generous trunk space as well. No matter how you look at it, the Elantra is a really good car with many things going for it. That is why it is one of the most successful Hyundai sedans of all time.
FAQ Section
How long can a Hyundai Elantra last?
It is really difficult to predict how long any car can last as too many variables can sway reality one way or the other. What is sure is that the Elantra can easily last a few hundred thousand miles if you take proper care of it. Moreover, the car isn’t really all that expensive to maintain which further should make it easier for you to use it for a long time.
On the other hand, if you are not careful with the way you drive, and if you don’t maintain the car in due time, you are not going to get as much use from the Elantra. All in all, it boils down to how well you take care of it.
Is the Hyundai Elantra a luxury car?
Though the Elantra gets lots of kit from the factory and because it looks really cool, it simply isn’t a luxury car. Luxury cars do pay more attention to detail and the overall build quality and final finish are much more advanced than in cars with a Hyundai badge.
If you are interested in Hyundai luxury, you ought to focus your attention on the Genesis brand which is making some killer-looking luxury cars with Hyundai’s blessings.
Is the Hyundai Elantra a safe car?
It sure is. The reason why the Elantra won the North American Car Of The Year award is that it is a well-rounded car that does not compromise. It gets a 5-star safety rating, it looks cool, it drives well, it is reliable, it is well-priced… No matter how you look at it, there is no ignoring the fact that the Elantra is a really good car overall.
