2009 Hyundai Elantra User Reviews

Pros

Surprisingly quite ride, good pick up. Spacious interior space, excellent mileage. ESC!

Cons

Non so far.

Purchased As New

I have been driving Chey lumina, Buick Le,Sabre and those are very very comfortable rides. However, I started looking for more fuel efficient and newer vehicle to save impending and foreseeable repair/fuel costs, hence a smaller car. I test drove many like, Chey Malibu, Ford fusion/focus, Toyota Camery/corola, VW, Nissan Altima/Santra and ofcourse Hyundai Sonata/Elantra. I analized technical and economical factors and came to the conclusion that the best value would be Hyundai Sonata. But I couldn't find a suitable 09 Sonata GLS with PEP in the color of choice (Natural Khaki). I had to down grade to Elantra SE that fitted my budget. I was little skeptical about the size as I am a retired person and road noise level that I associated with a compact cars was an important factor.. But to my pleasant surprise I found that comparatively Elantra is quiter than any other compact that I have driven so far. It is new and only a week old but I like it already and intend to keep it...read morehide

Pros

Comfort, quiet, solid, Great car for the money, lots of options, safety, service, radio sounds great

Cons

Trying to get use to not having a sports car look but it is a beautidful car

Purchased As New

I love my new Elantra SE! I have now had it for a month which is still pretty new but I am really picky. I traded in my 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid which I did not like except for the obvious fuel economy. They say you get a great trade in with Honda and that it keeps it's value..NOT. I looked everywhere and I was upside down once I wanted to trade. Anyway back to the Nice Hyundai I own now. It is quiet inside unlike my Honda. It feels really solid and is safe. I already had the awesome warranty with Hyndai but then paid 800 more to extend it to 100,000 miles/10 years! I just love the car. I get about 30 mpg avg in town...that is cool and about 40 mpg on the hwy. The first week I owned it I accidently locked my keys in the car while filling up at the gas station...how I do not know but I felt really dumb...anyway I called Hyundai and they sent someone to unlock my car with no problem...all free. This is all part of the roadside assistance that is free with your Hyundai. Love the car...I researched a long time to choose a car and I would recommend it to anyone. If you can afford it I would definitely get the SE package..is a great value and makes me feel like I am safer and is luxurious....read morehide

Pros

great warranty, great drive, reliable, good fuel economy

Cons

some wind noise, the fabric is kind of cheap (center armrest)

Purchased As New

I got this car when i was 17 and I love it! The ride is smooth and hyudai's service is excellent. During long drives on the interstate wind noise is apparent but its really not that bad. The back seats are comfortable for guest and it is a perfect sized car for beginners or those without children. I would highly recommend it....read morehide

Pros

Great fuel economy, Stylish, excellent warranty!

Cons

Hear more road noise than I would like

Purchased As New

Awesome car, very highly recommended! BUY ONE~ I love mine!!! Comfortable seats, awesome sound system, a HUGE UPGRADE FROM MY 2000 FORD WINDSTAR!!!!

Pros

Great value. loaded, great gas mileage, outstanding warranty, usb

Cons

Gauges, speed sensitive volume control is off

Purchased As New

I waited a month to review because everyone loves their week old car. Another clunker story here so it was a great deal for me. But it would have been a great deal without the extra rebate. You can't beat the standard features and safety options this car offers in its class. Add the warranty and I couldn't justify the extra money for a Toyota or Honda. Especially with the reliability rating the elantra has. Like my last car, I'll drive this car into the ground so resale isn't an issue.
Positives
This is a comfortable car with good room in the cabin and in the trunk. My family of 4 has plenty of room. I'm still waiting for an auto manufacturer to wake up and put a divider between the front and back seats like a limo so I don't have to hear the kids. You gotta dream. The gas mileage is fantastic. This was a main key in our purchase. The stereo sounds great, the ride is adequate. I knew I wasn't buying a Cadillac. The aesthetics inside and out are pleasing. The safety features are uncompromising on the se- traction control, stability control,front and rear side curtain airbags, abs, etc..
The USB port is awesome. I have a blackberry and no iphone\pod and it does not work with the blackberry.I was disappointed at first. However, if you get a usb flash drive (which are dirt cheap) you can stick it in the usb port and the stereo automatically finds all the music. Just copy all your music folders from your computer to the drive. Navigation through folders is easy and I have a large majority of my music catalog at my finger tips. 16gb flash was lying around not in use.

Negatives
I find the speedometer is not marked off well. The gaps between numbers is too large. I find I have to figure out my speed instead of glancing down to see it. It marks off speeds in intervals of 20 and there is no difference in the marks for speeds on the 10's. It doesn't have to say 30 but a larger tick for 30 would help. Look at a picture of the dash and you will see. Not major and I'm getting better at it.
The speed sensitive volume control I think is a little off. I don't think they give themselves enough credit for how quiet the ride is. At stops the volume adjusts a tad too low and high speeds a tad too loud. Again not major, wish i could turn it off. Maybe I can but I'm male and not reading the owners manual.
The engine seems to have less pep then the competition. It was noticeable to me. So I rated it lower. But it is not as important to me. 30mpg avg so far is.

Overall I'm very happy with this purchase. I've heard only good things about hyundais from current drivers so I wanted to get in on it before they became toyota and honda where you are paying for the name (well deserved though). Overall I gave the car a 5 because I believe that the value of the car in price and gas mileage is weighted far heavier than the smaller engine and the minor issues I have with it. As far as reliability I'm only basing it off of what I have heard. In the past month I have not had an issue but that means nothing....read morehide

Pros

Great fuel economy, Great warranty, "free" roadside service 5yrs, ~ZiiiPPPY~ , Sleek NON sedan look~

Cons

hard seats, NO warning IF you leave headlights on!!!

Purchased As New

With all the cash incentives including Cash For clunkers NOW is the time to own NEW for us. The Hyundai brand has the best warranty out there.

Along with best ratings for its standard features and durability. This car is QUITE zippy~ it has smooth acceleration and great handling. Electronic power steering is noticeably different to use~ it makes the steering wheel feel a bit "tight" until I got used to the difference.


The rear seats fold down to allow A LOT of "cargo" space with the large deep trunk. We bought ours with some added features due to buying off the lot. Mud flaps, trunk tray, carpet floor mats..the dealership gets options such as AC, power windows, fog lights, Ipod ports and XM radio in all of their cars. I wont renew the free trial XM radio and replaced the mats for rubber ones... carpet ones are to hard to keep clean.


Some of my favorite "cute" extras are MANY little extra cubby holes to store things... a rear seat fold down Cup holder set...and OOOkay I'm a woman...so I LIKE the vanity mirror above both seats~ and the little light above each mirror.


The comfort going over bumps in the road or RR tracks is BETTER than any car I have owned. There is road noise , but every car I ever owned had MORE than this car. The seats have MANY position options due to the common adjustments and a lever to bop that raises and lowers the seat too. I have some spine issues, and the seats DO feel a bit hard. I am hoping they soften a bit after a bit of use. I have not taken any long trips yet, however~ SO FAR...the smooth ride and the repositioning the seats as needed has kept me pain free from riding.


The paint on this car does not stand up to my Lab/chow paws... he jumped up first time I came up the driveway. I also noticed another scratch on a different area of a door up by the window...don't know how that one got where it did. All paint would scratch with my Casey's help... but it seems they could use a more durable heavy duty paint on cars to protect against scratches.


Lets see.... AH THE HEADLIGHTS~ I am used to a vehicle that the lights come on with the ignition and TURN off w/ the same. I turn ON my lights for day use as it seems safer... the Hyundai does NOT have a warning beep when you leave your lights on...though it does have the beeping for leaving your keys in....read morehide

Pros

Value, MPG, Appearance. roomy interior

Cons

Cheap looking seats, iron block, only 4 speed automatic

Purchased As New

The SE is far superior to the GLS- traction and stability controls, telescoping steering, suspension, alloy wheels, XM and upgraded stereo, ect.

She rides well on the freeway and feeels tight- it has the tightest frame in it's class. I just love all the features, including xm, on a tight "clunker" budget.

It's real strength lies in the fact that it has no real weaknesses....read morehide

Pros

fun to drive, good gas mileage, very roomy

Cons

fabric could be better quality

Purchased As New

I really love this car. I use to buy Honda's and Subaru's but as I'm getting older it's more about cost for reliability. The resale value no longer means as much as I keep a car for at least 10 years and take very good care of my car. Do I miss the extra luxuries? Not so much. The only thing I really miss is the interior and exterior temp. Somethings are just nice to know....read morehide

Pros

almost as good as my versa

Cons

loud road noise and poor seating and seats

Purchased As New

I sold it after just 8 months. I could not take it anymore... So poorly insulated, I could hear the tires so loudly when on the highway if the radio was off. My versa gets better milage and that was at 65 miles an hour. The ride is harsh due to cheap seat supports. If you want a cheap over priced ride get it. The vera is 5 to 6 grand less with better ratings............read morehide

Pros

great hiway milage .. I just got 36.4 mpg on trip to Dallas, TX .. 350 miles each way to and from.

Cons

seating comfort could be better.

Purchased As Used

I am 75 yrs old. Owned MANY cars in my time. This Elantra is by far the best car I've ever owned. And much larger interior than it's competition.
It is an '07 and now has 135,000 miles on it.
Only thing that has gone wrong is the turn signal handle. Wouldn't return from a left turn pull down. Hyundai dealed replaced it with new one .. no charge.
Honda and/or Toyota both take a back seat to the Elantra.
I will buy this auto again in the future .. if I can ever wear this one out....read morehide