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Photo of a Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra

Twice crowned North American Car of the Year: 2012 and 2021.1

Researched October 29, 2026 from 34 sources

Also called

  • TriangulaA joking name tied to the many triangles in its styling, recalled during a design interview.2

At a glance

0150300
67–286 hpPower
07.515
5.3–11.7 s0–100 km/h
0125250
182–250 km/hTop speed
0200400
143–392 N·mTorque
07501,500
1,064–1,471 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.5910

Engine
1.5–2.0 L gas/diesel I4s; 2021 Hybrid: 1.6 L; N: 2.0 L turbo579
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive5
Gearbox
Early 5MT/4AT; later CVT; Hybrid 6-speed DCT; N 6MT/8-speed DCT57812
Built at
2021: Ulsan, Korea; Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, U.S.17

The story

Created in 1990 to bridge Excel and Sonata, the affordable Elantra has also been sold as Lantra, Avante and i30 Sedan. The seventh-generation CN7 gives its front doors three intersecting creases.345

1990: J1 launches with Mitsubishi power19902009: Avante pairs LPG with electric drive20092012: First North American Car of the Year20122020: CN7 makes three door creases intersect20202021: North American Car of the Year, again · Elantra N: 276 hp, briefly 28620212025: Elantra N laps VIR in 3:06.4 · 2026 N TCR Edition debuts in Los Angeles2025 Hyundai Stellar: 1983–1992; LPG taxis to 1997Hyundai StellarHyundai Elantra / Avante / Lantra (J2/RD): 1995–2000J2/RDHyundai Elantra / Avante XD (XD): 2000–2006 (South Korea)XDHyundai Elantra (MD): 2010 launchMDHyundai Elantra / Avante / i30 Sedan (CN7): From 2020CN7 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones45913162425
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1983–1992; LPG taxis to 1997Hyundai Stellar
1995–2000Hyundai Elantra / Avante / Lantra (J2/RD)
2000–2006 (South Korea)Hyundai Elantra / Avante XD (XD)
2010 launchHyundai Elantra (MD)
From 2020Hyundai Elantra / Avante / i30 Sedan (CN7)
1990J1 launches with Mitsubishi power
2009Avante pairs LPG with electric drive
2012First North American Car of the Year
2020CN7 makes three door creases intersect
2021North American Car of the Year, again
2021Elantra N: 276 hp, briefly 286
2025Elantra N laps VIR in 3:06.4
20252026 N TCR Edition debuts in Los Angeles
  1. 1990

    J1 launches with Mitsubishi power

    October brings the original sedan, using a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6-liter four and undercutting the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Vectra.5

  2. 2009

    Avante pairs LPG with electric drive

    Launched in Korea, the Avante Hybrid combines an LPG engine and motor in the world's first LPi hybrid system.6

  3. 2012

    First North American Car of the Year

    The fifth-generation MD takes the award after its 2010 launch.14

  4. 2020

    CN7 makes three door creases intersect

    Parametric Dynamics gives the seventh generation its intersecting door creases; designer Davis Lee explains the aim to make the sedan stand out.478

  5. 2021

    North American Car of the Year, again

    The 2021 sedan earns the family's second win, repeating its 2012 North American Car of the Year success.1

  6. 2021

    Elantra N: 276 hp, briefly 286

    July's N debut brings an electronic limited-slip differential and 276 hp; the eight-speed DCT's N Grin Shift briefly raises output to 286 hp.9

  7. 2025

    Elantra N laps VIR in 3:06.4

    The 2024 N returns with fresh tires after the 2023 attempt ran on worn rubber, completing its lap 0.9 second faster.10

  8. 2025

    2026 N TCR Edition debuts in Los Angeles

    The limited-production TCR Edition adds a carbon-fiber swan-neck wing, forged 19-inch wheels and four-piston front brake calipers.11

Every generation

  • Hyundai Stellar
    Hyundai Stellar1983–1992; LPG taxis to 1997
  • Hyundai Elantra / Avante / Lantra
    J2/RD1995–2000
  • Hyundai Elantra / Avante XD
    XD2000–2006 (South Korea)
  • Hyundai Elantra
    MD2010 launch
  • Hyundai Elantra / Avante / i30 Sedan
    CN7From 2020

Power over the years

From 111 hp to 276 hp in 32 years.

0100200300 1990199520002005201020152020 hp 1990 · 111 hp · J1 Mitsubishi 1.6 L1993 · 133 hp · J1 facelift 1.8 L1995 · 89 hp · J2 German 1.6 L, lower-output option1995 · 136 hp · J2 Korean-market 1.8 L1998 · 67 hp · J2 European PSA 1.9 L diesel2004 · 138 hp · XD 2.0 L gains CVVT2011 · 148 hp · Limited 1.8 L / six-speed automatic2017 · 201 hp · Sport 1.6 L turbo / 6MT or 7DCT2019 · 201 hp · GT N Line 1.6 L turbo2021 · 139 hp · Hybrid 1.6 L, combined output2021 · 147 hp · SE/SEL/Limited 2.0 L / IVT2022 · 276 hp · N 2.0 L turbo 276 hp N 2.0 L turbo 111 hp J1 Mitsubishi 1.6 L
57912131415
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1990111J1 Mitsubishi 1.6 L
1993133J1 facelift 1.8 L
199589J2 German 1.6 L, lower-output option
1995136J2 Korean-market 1.8 L
199867J2 European PSA 1.9 L diesel
2004138XD 2.0 L gains CVVT
2011148Limited 1.8 L / six-speed automatic
2017201Sport 1.6 L turbo / 6MT or 7DCT
2019201GT N Line 1.6 L turbo
2021139Hybrid 1.6 L, combined output
2021147SE/SEL/Limited 2.0 L / IVT
2022276N 2.0 L turbo

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • GL / GLS / SE / SEL / Limited / Blue

    Standard

    GL / GLS / SE / SEL / Limited / Blue

  • Touring wagon

    Standard

    Touring wagon

    2009

  • Elantra Coupe

    Standard

    Elantra Coupe

    2013

  • Avante LPi Hybrid

    Standard

    Avante LPi Hybrid

    2009–2013

  • Standard

    Elantra Hybrid

    2021

    139 hp
  • GT hatchback

    Performance

    GT hatchback

    2002–2006

  • Sport / SR Turbo

    Performance

    Sport / SR Turbo

    201 hp

  • Performance

    GT N Line

    2019

    201 hp
  • N Line (CN7)

    Performance

    N Line (CN7)

    201 hp
  • Elantra N

    Performance

    Elantra N

    2022

    276 hp

  • Limited

    N TCR Edition

    2026

  • Limited

    Sport Final Force

    2020

How to spot one

Look for

  • Second generation: rounded, grille-free front styling.5
  • HD: broad body, high sides and a rectangular grille.20
  • 2016 AD: a prominent five-bar grille.20
  • CN7: three body creases converge on the front doors.4
  • 2021 rear: wide H-shaped taillights across the trunk.7

Year by year

  1. 1993

    J1 facelift: new headlight and taillight shapes accompanied revised front and rear fascias.5

  2. 1998

    Second generation: a new grille joined revised bumpers and redesigned headlights and taillights.5

  3. 2004

    XD2 facelift: new lights, grille and bumpers, a split lower grille, plus reshaped hood and trunk lid.5

  4. 2016

    AD redesign: a five-bar grille dominated the nose.20

  5. 2021

    Seventh generation: three creases intersect on the front doors, while the rear lights form an H shape.47

  6. 2024

    Elantra N: revised headlights plus new front and rear bumpers distinguish the facelift.23

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Hyundai Elantra
    Elantra
    Photo of a Hyundai Sonata
    Hyundai Sonata

    Hyundai Sonata

    Look for the 2021 Elantra's intersecting front-door creases and more angular rear.8

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $6.6K–$14.0K17

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 2010201520202025 Value today: $6,600–$14,000 2011 · $20,700 · US base, Limited2017 · $23,310 · US as tested, Limited2017 · $22,485 · US base, Sport manual2019 · $20,450 · US GT auto base, +$885 freight2019 · $23,300 · US GT N Line MT base, +$885 freight2019 · $24,400 · US GT N Line DCT base, +$885 freight2021 · $20,645 · US base, SE2022 · $32,945 · US base, N manual2024 · $30,600 · US base, Hybrid Limited2024 · $34,850 · US base, N manual 2022 · $12,500 · 2003 GT hatchback 5-speed, 5k miles, BaT2026 · $20,600 · 2026 Elantra, mileage 1,798, Bidbus2026 · $18,500 · 2025 Elantra, mileage 32,397, Bidbus2026 · $20,400 · 2025; mileage 15,815, Bidbus $20.6K Bidbus, 2026
81213141519232627323334
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Price when new$20,700US base, Limited
2017Price when new$23,310US as tested, Limited
2017Price when new$22,485US base, Sport manual
2019Price when new$20,450US GT auto base, +$885 freight
2019Price when new$23,300US GT N Line MT base, +$885 freight
2019Price when new$24,400US GT N Line DCT base, +$885 freight
2021Price when new$20,645US base, SE
2022Price when new$32,945US base, N manual
2024Price when new$30,600US base, Hybrid Limited
2024Price when new$34,850US base, N manual
2022Auction sale$12,5002003 GT hatchback 5-speed, 5k miles, BaT
2026Auction sale$20,6002026 Elantra, mileage 1,798, Bidbus
2026Auction sale$18,5002025 Elantra, mileage 32,397, Bidbus
2026Auction sale$20,4002025; mileage 15,815, Bidbus
2026Value today$6,600–$14,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “3:06.4 at VIR with fresh tires”
    • “Four straight IMSA TCR title sweeps”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • 4 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 34 sources
  1. Hyundai Elantra Wins Prestigious 2021 North American Car of the Year™ prnewswire.com
  2. What Wannabe Designers Say About The All-New Elantra | Journal | Hyundai Motor Group hyundaimotorgroup.com
  3. Hyundai Elantra (J1) - Autocade autocade.net
  4. ELANTRA, the daring venture - Hyundai Worldwide hyundai.com
  5. Hyundai Elantra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  6. Vehicle History 2000 AVANTE Hybrid | Corporate | Footer - Hyundai Worldwide hyundai.com
  7. All-New 2021 Hyundai ELANTRA and ELANTRA Hybrid Make World Premiere in Hollywood hyundai.com
  8. 2021 Hyundai Elantra Brings More Than Daring Design caranddriver.com
  9. Hyundai Motor’s ELANTRA N Debuts, Delivers Highest Level of N Performance Yet hyundai.com
  10. 2024 Hyundai Elantra N at Lightning Lap 2025 caranddriver.com
  11. 2026 Hyundai ELANTRA N TCR Edition Brings Race-Bred Performance and Looks to AutoMobility LA hyundai.com
  12. Tested: Honda Civic Si vs. Hyundai Elantra N vs. VW Jetta GLI caranddriver.com
  13. 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited – Instrumented Test – Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  14. Tested: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport Manual caranddriver.com
  15. Hyundai Debuts First U.S. 'N Line' Model with 2019 Elantra GT Lineup prnewswire.com
  16. Buying a used Hyundai Elantra (2000-2007) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  17. 2007-10 Hyundai Elantra | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  18. Fuel Economy Label Updates | US EPA epa.gov
  19. No Reserve: 5k-Mile 2003 Hyundai Elantra GT Hatchback 5-Speed for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $12,500 on July 5, 2022 (Lot #77,828) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  20. Buying a used Hyundai Elantra (2011-20) - carsales.com.au carsales.com.au
  21. 2021 Hyundai Elantra N Prototype Review: A 275-HP Compact Built to Go Racing thedrive.com
  22. 品牌消息 | Hyundai 台灣官網 hyundai-motor.com.tw
  23. Tested: Hyundai Elantra N roadandtrack.com
  24. Hyundai Stellar - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  25. Hyundai Avante (J2) - Autocade autocade.net
  26. We Test Five Compact Sedans to See Which Ones Make the Grade caranddriver.com
  27. 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid vs. 2024 Toyota Prius, Hyundai Elantra Hybrid: Back to the Future motortrend.com
  28. Remarkable year for Elantra N TCR | Hyundai N hyundai-n.com
  29. Discover Your Next Daily Racer in Forza Motorsport forza.net
  30. Home - Hyundai hyundaiantitheft.com
  31. Transport Canada Recall - 2021252 - - Canada.ca recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  32. 2026 Hyundai Elantra Auction Result #10159 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  33. 2025 Hyundai Elantra Auction Result #11451 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  34. 2025 Hyundai Elantra Auction Result #10964 - Bidbus bidbus.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • hyundaimotorgroup.com
  • autocade.net
  • hyundai.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • caranddriver.com
  • carsales.com.au
  • consumerguide.com
  • epa.gov
  • bringatrailer.com
  • thedrive.com
  • hyundai-motor.com.tw
  • roadandtrack.com
  • motortrend.com

Photo credits

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