2018 Hyundai Elantra Pros and Cons
2018 Hyundai Elantraby MercurySable99 — CC BY-SA 4.0
Saying the Hyundai Elantra has had a rough start would be an understatement. It used to have a bad reputation as a cheap and unattractive vehicle that most consumers would rather avoid. However, thanks to Hyundai’s pivotal shift in design, technology, and quality, the Elantra has received a considerable glow-up as a solid, well-optioned compact car.
If you want to join the Elantra bandwagon, you probably want a fairly recent model with modern tech and safety features. In that case, we point you to the 2018 Hyundai Elantra. However, before deciding, you’ll want to know about the ups and downs of this particular model year. So, for today, we rounded up the 2018 Hyundai Elantra pros and cons, and hopefully, this guide will help you with your purchasing decision.
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What We Love: 2018 Hyundai Elantra Pros
Here are the top qualities most consumers would love about this compact car:
Pro: Well-Designed Exterior
Let’s get this out of the way first: the 2018 Elantra is a good-looking car, thanks to its subtle but sleek styling. It has an attractive exterior design with an angular front and elegant headlights, a prominent grille, and unique fog light housings that add a touch of sophistication. The body’s silhouette, which resembles that of a coupe, adds to the stylish and sporty appeal. It’s a well-proportioned vehicle from the outside.
Pro: Upscale Interior
The Elantra’s interior design was praised for skillfully combining practicality with flair. Its cabin features a no-nonsense yet elegant driver layout, accentuated by the signature Hyundai plush steering wheel, which adds a touch of luxury. Ambient blue backlighting enhances the center stack and controls, and the straightforward driver gauges and an informative color display contribute to the cabin’s ease of use. Despite its compact controls, the Elantra’s interior build quality competes admirably with top contenders like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Pro: Pleasant Drive Quality
The 2018 Elantra is a fun car with a finely tuned suspension and responsive handling, ensuring a smooth, quiet journey. While its standard engine can be a bit noisy, the turbocharged alternatives offer a quieter and more refined performance. The Elantra Sport, in particular, delivers an exhilarating experience with its 1.6-liter turbo engine and robust suspension, ensuring lively acceleration and agile handling. Larger wheels may affect comfort slightly but compensate for it with improved steering and road grip. Overall, the Elantra offers a driving experience that expertly balances comfort and sportiness.
Pro: Strong Fuel Economy
Hyundai is relatively competitive in fuel efficiency, and the 2018 Elantra showcases this expertise, offering you a range of fuel economy options across its trims. While the performance-oriented Sport model delivers a reasonable 25 mpg combined, the standout Elantra ECO trim is your best bet for fuel economy. It features a 1.4-liter turbo engine and smaller wheels for optimal efficiency, achieving up to 40 mpg on the highway and 35 mpg combined. These figures are competitive with rivals like the Honda Civic and Mazda 3, making the Elantra ECO an excellent choice for fuel-conscious drivers seeking both economy and reliability.
Pro: Rich in Tech
From the get-go, every Elantra model includes essential tech like Bluetooth hands-free communication, voice recognition, multiple USB ports, and a clear TFT display cluster. Starting with the SEL trim, the tech offerings expand significantly with features like SiriusXM, HD Radio, a more robust audio system, a larger touchscreen, plus integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The range-topping Limited trim indulges with the most advanced technologies, including heated seating for the front and available for rear passengers.
Pro: Plenty of Storage Solutions
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra is a winner for those who need plenty of storage space in their car. It offers a spacious trunk with a capacity of 14.4 cubic feet, which is impressive for a vehicle of its size. The interior of the Elantra is also designed with practicality in mind, featuring easily accessible cup holders for both front and rear passengers, a convenient glove box, a covered console storage bin, and even a mini overhead console.
ARE HYUNDAI ELANTRAS GOOD CARS?
Asking, “are Hyundai Elantras good cars?” is a far-reaching question with many possible answers. Importantly, our focus is on reliability, particularly the engine and transmission.
What We Don’t Love: 2018 Hyundai Elantra Cons
On the other side of this 2018 Hyundai Elantra pros and cons roundup, here are some qualities of the compact car that missed the mark:
Con: Weak Engines
If you’re considering the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, you might find its standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine lacking power. Its 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque offer reasonable performance. Still, it may not have the spirited performance of competitors like the Honda Civic, which boasts turbocharged engines with over 170 horsepower.
Meanwhile, with its 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, the Elantra Eco model provides a torque increase to 156 pound-feet, promising a nimbler response. However, it might still fall short of the vibrant drive you’d experience in some of the more robust vehicles in its class.
Con: Unsatisfying Steering
Both critics and consumers have criticized the steering of the 2018 Hyundai Elantra. They have found it less engaging, somewhat numb, and heavier than its competitors. The feedback and precision drivers usually seek, particularly in spirited driving scenarios, seem lacking, leading to a rigid and less connected driving experience.
HYUNDAI ELANTRA TOP SPEED: HOW FAST IS IT?
If you’re interested in this affordable compact selection, you might wonder - what is the Hyundai Elantra top speed on the move?
Con: Cramped Rear Seats
Taller passengers will be less comfortable inside the 2018 Elantra as it falls short in the legroom department. The 2018 Hyundai Elantra offers rear legroom of about 35.7 inches, which can feel restrictive, particularly when compared to the Honda Civic’s 37.4 inches and the Toyota Corolla’s 41.4 inches of rear legroom in their respective models of the same year. If you have rear passengers on the regular, the Elantra might not be your best choice.
2018 Hyundai Elantra Pros and Cons: Is This Compact Car for You?
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra stands out for its fuel efficiency, extensive tech features, and competitive pricing, making it a strong contender in the compact car segment. However, its drawbacks include less engaging steering, limited engine power compared to rivals, and cramped rear legroom. The Elantra could suit you well if you like your tech bells and whistles and good fuel economy in an affordable package. Yet, if you seek engaging driving dynamics and ample passenger space, consider rival cars like the Civic or Corolla.
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