2008 Hyundai Elantra Consumer Reviews

Great Car to Buy

Written by: johpen on 11/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

This is my second Elantra. My first I traded after 4.5 yrs with 160,000 miles with no major repair work. My two sons also drive Elantras and one son is getting ready to purchase his second also.

Favorite Features

Standard features for the price

Suggested Improvements

Add GPS system

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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After 6 Mo/ Comparing with wifes Civic

Written by: David on 11/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

After having the Elantra for 6 months, I'm a very happy Elantra owner. I have not found one defect inside or out. This car delivers up to 41 mpg on the freeway and as low as 27 city which is a huge range but with the AC off on short trips in a rural area I average 31mph. We also purchased a new Civic Ex about the same time for my wife.I have to say that the Elantra has a much smoother and more quiet ride than the Civic EX that my wife drives. The Elantra has a slower responsive steering set up but not sure if that is bad since I'm not racing the Indy 500. The interior could be nicer but for the money, this car is hard to beat.

Favorite Features

I like the exterior styling, control panels and blue back lighting on the dash. Cruise control on steering wheel. I like the sunroof and all the power options with controls buttons that are friendly to operate

Suggested Improvements

More plush interior, power drivers seat, radio volume control on steering wheel. Performance - more responsive steering ratio and maybe a little more horse power or a turbo option

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Great car, Great price, Great warranty!

Written by: acutecareOT on 10/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

If you are looking for a reasonably priced car that is a good value for your money, stop here! The Elantra serves you well-smooth driving, stylish yet simple and functional exterior (clean lines) and interior (blue-lit dashboard, easy-to-use controls, roomy trunk)with plenty of leg & head room. Hyundai's warranty can't be beat! I have been very happy with the car and am glad I didn't shell out extra money for a Honda or Toyota. A word of warning: a few months after I bought the car I received a letter from Hyundai Corp. that the fuel pump was recalled. I had it replaced for free at the dealer without a hitch but I figured I'd spread the word. All in all, great car-I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.

Favorite Features

styling, drivability, value for your dollar, warranty

Suggested Improvements

increased visibility of dash during sun/glare; outdoor and interior temperature gauge and compass

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car for little money

Written by: Matt on 10/24/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra SE PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I've owned this 08 Elantra SE for just a couple of days and have been loving it so far. This is not my first Hyundai, more like my 4th and they have all been excellent cars. The 2008 is no exception, great price, so many standard features, good performance, quiet ride and good handling.

Favorite Features

Pretty much everything about the car I like, Standard XM, steering wheel audio and cruise control, trip/mpg computer, comfortable ride, good bang for the buck

Suggested Improvements

A little more power out of the time tested 2.0l engine would not hurt, its peppy, but sometimes seems a little sluggish till it gets higher in the RPM band. DRL's. It's a simple safety feature that works, and is mandatory in Canada, so it would be easy to wire up for USA shipped cars. That's it!

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Surprisingly nice car

Written by: Bill on 10/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Got this car because of the ratings and price. This car is going to my dtr when she is able to drive. With 6 airbags and good safety ratings, I could not be happier. Although it has one recall (fuel pump), the car has been flawless. I will put >15k on it in 6 months and have been completely satisfied with everything about the car. Good assembly, good materials, quiet comfortable cabin, nice acceleration, great MPG (30.5 over >12k), and brakes. It has nice touches throughout the car at such a good price. My SE has the alloy wheels and spoiler. It has XM, I prefer Sirius (for HS) - no big deal. No regrets.

Favorite Features

Stability control, steering wheel controls, feeling of quality in such a low priced (relatively speaking) car.

Suggested Improvements

Carpet on the dead pedal, radio mute on the steering wheel, a radio that displays station information, bigger center armrest.

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Elantra SE.......Lives up to it's expect

Written by: Eric L on 10/11/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I drive quite a bit and wanted a car with good MPG. Was looking at the Honda Civic and then the Consumer Reports review came out on the Elantra, peeking my curiosity. After renting an Elantra for a week, I decided to purchase one with leather and a sunroof. I could not find one anywhere close to where I live, all the dealers laughed at me for trying to find one. I finally located one 500 miles away with everything I wanted and drove it home. I am extremely satisfied with it, gets almost 36 MPG highway and about 30 locally. It has plenty of pep and is responsive, the sound system is excellent, the car is quiet inside and has plenty of room upfront. This car is a bargain.

Favorite Features

Stereo, interior space, MPG, blue lights

Suggested Improvements

A mute button on the steering wheel stereo controls, 12 VDC power outlet that does not turn off when the car is off, autolock door programming able to be set with out the dealer, built in garage door transmitter buttons.....these are all very inexpensive items that would greatly improve the car

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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I am just shocked

Written by: Bridgeport Buddha on 10/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

Truly amazing how much car you get for the dollar. Pzero, fuel economy, fun to drive and less of an economy feel than expected. Hyundai certainly has come a long way. Thank goodness the hybrids at the time were too in demand and their dealers were so high and mighty. We started to look most fuel efficient and then cost efficient and ended up at a Hyundai dealer. After checking consumer comments here, the price and the test drive, there was nothing left but to do the smart thing and buy. The sparkles in the paint help it look clean even when it's not - bonus for the lazy owner.

Favorite Features

Fuel economy, low cost - the 2 big factors in us buying this car to begin with. Safety features and ratings are great.

Suggested Improvements

I'm of the opinion no seat can be too comfortable, definitely wouldn't mind some softer seats with more angles of positioning. Redesigning the key fob so I don't keep opening the trunk with the fob in my pocket.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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A very safe car!

Written by: LYONESS247 on 10/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

After owning my new elantra only 3 months, we loved it but I found out the hardway yesterday just how safe my car was, my husband, four year old grand- daughter and I were returning from an outing, when we were involved in a terrible accident, we were hit on driver- side then a bank, then rehit again before coming to a stop. We had damage from end to end on driver side and rear end, neither drvr door opened, side curtain airbags employed and my g- daughter and myself were able to walk outwith only bruises on our necks from seat belt restraint. My husband not a mark. The car, a total loss, if you saw it you would not believe we walked away. Thank you 4 such a safe car!

Favorite Features

Safety! We will definately replace this car with another elantra..

Suggested Improvements

14 out 14 people found this review helpful

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Walked away alive

Written by: Changingtide on 10/03/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS PZEV 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I purchase this car in June and have loved driving it for the past three months. We took a long 2,000.00 journey and the car performed great and was a pleasure to drive. Two weeks ago we were rear ended at a light by a SUV and forced in to a truck in front of us (bad enough to declare the car totaled). The car crushed by the impact but protected everyone in the car. I can't complain one bit about the way the car held up in the crash. We're on our way to get a new Elantra next week.

Favorite Features

Roomy interior and crash test... the real thing.

Suggested Improvements

Doesn't retain value well.

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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This car does everything well.

Written by: Jim Hawkins on 09/28/2008

Vehicle

2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

We have had this car for about 5 months and we are very pleased. It has zippy performance and gets 27MPG City and 35 MPG Hwy in the process. Braking is excellent. The four wheel discs do make a difference. The sound system with the XM radio, while not world class, is very pleasant to listen to. In town, it handles beautifully. At speed, there is a bit of extra body roll (especially right turns for whatever reason). I would recommend the 5 spd M. It makes for much more driving fun. The shifter does great as long as you don't force it. This car is extremely comfortable under pretty much all conditions (front and back). There are a lot of things "well done" about this car.

Favorite Features

Love the blue displays. Easy on the eyes. The seats are comfortable front and back. The car also has an extremely solid feel. No creaks or rattles. It has the look and feel of a car that costs thousands of dollars more. Best new car value on the road in my opinion.

Suggested Improvements

Some of the plastic parts on the interior are a little on the Spartan side. I would address the body roll at speed. Other than that, this car is an absolute joy to drive.

10 out 10 people found this review helpful

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