2008 Hyundai Elantra Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Written by Clifford Atiyeh

Published May 25, 2021

$13,970 to $16,670

6.3/10

CarGurus expert score

Search Listings

Compare

The CarGurus verdict

Hyundai's best-selling car at a great price.

New for 2007, the Hyundai Elantra enters 2008 with one fewer trim level and more safety features. It has fresh styling and is worth a look against established competitors like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, and Ford Focus.

6.3

out of 10 expert review

Look & feel

6/10

Compared to the bargain-basement Accent, the Elantra is large enough to look like a finished car, and it won't embarrass its driver. It's still not the futuristic aero showpiece that is the Honda Civic. It's bland like the inside of a CVS. From the front or rear, there are more than a few hints of Toyota Corolla. On the side, you couldn't pick the Elantra from a lineup of suspects. At least give it a neat tattoo on its grille or something.

The interior retains the good design from the Accent, only there are now more quality materials lining the doors and dash, some of which are softly padded. Silver accents on the steering wheel, climate control knobs, and center console brighten up the place. It's far more comparable to a Corolla in presentation and construction, which is a good thing.

Performance

6/10

A 2.0-liter inline-four makes 138 horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque, sent to the front wheels with a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. Acceleration is good and both transmissions respond well. A new electric power-steering rack is light on feel and the suspension is too soft; it rolls hard in corners and can't absorb bumps at higher speeds. The engine is reasonably quiet, as is the ride. The brakes are good.

Form & function

7/10

Visibility and room are generous in the Elantra. You can pack three friends in the car for medium-range trips and they won't complain. Storage bins are plentiful, too. Two covered bins (one atop the dash, the other behind the shifter), four cupholders, bottle holders on the doors, and a sunglasses case join the usual center cubby/armrest. The trunk is a large 14 cubic feet and the seats fold down in a 60/40 split. All controls are easy to operate and most are backlit by a pleasant blue glow at night.

Technology

4/10

Power windows, locks, mirrors, and keyless entry come standard on the Elantra, but not cruise control, air conditioning, or a stereo. Those are optional, along with fog lights and satellite radio, on the base GLS with the Preferred package.

The Limited was dropped for 2008, so the SE moves from the mid-level to the top trim. It includes 16-inch alloy wheels instead of 15-inch steel wheels, plus a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof are optional.

Safety

7/10

New for 2008 is a tire-pressure monitoring system. The SE comes with stability control and brake assist, the latter of which delivers 100-percent braking force if the driver quickly jabs the pedal in an emergency. These features are not on the GLS. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, dual front airbags, dual front side airbags, anti-whiplash front headrests, and front and rear curtain airbags are standard.

In crash tests, the Elantra scored the best Good for the moderate overlap front by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), but only a Marginal for the side test and a higher Acceptable for the head restraints and seats. The Elantra scored four out of five stars in side-crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for driver and rear passenger, and five stars for both passengers in the frontal tests.

Cost-effectiveness

8/10

The 2008 Elantra's MSRP starts at $13,970 for the GLS and $16,670 for the SE. Fully loaded with an automatic transmission, the Elantra is just under $20,000. Fuel economy is EPA estimated at 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined for the automatic and 24/33/27 for the manual. Hyundai includes a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty that no other automaker comes close to matching, plus 5 years of roadside assistance. From a design and performance perspective, the Elantra falls behind the competition. But it's very competitive at these prices.

What owners say

AI Summary · 16 reviews

"Overall, owners of the 2008 Hyundai Elantra appreciate its affordability, fuel efficiency, and user-friendly features. Many enjoy its comfortable interior and good performance, although some find the acceleration a bit sluggish and note minor fit and finish issues. Overall, it's seen as a reliable choice for a family car."

4.5

16 reviews

Write a review

by Steve B

Hyundai came to america as a cheap car manufacturer and most of the general population knew they weren't the best cars ever mostly because of mediocre at best styling and a very cheap materials feel on the inside. However, we see now that Hyundai is a very serious competitor in the market these days ever since they started putting out some very good cars. The new elantra is no exception to their new image. It is a very well made car with a lot going for it. The styling is pretty, something that women will go for more than men i would think, but the interior is just something great for a car in the under $20k bracket. The hefty steering wheel is a good start for this car, and the rest of the interior follows suit along with it. Everything seems durable and built to last. Easy to use and ergonomic, it is a very user friendly car. It drives well too, the steering could be sharper (we're not looking at a sports car or European built sedan here) but its crisp and easy. Acceleration is adequate and the brakes feel balanced, there's no travel in the pedals before you get anything out of it. The ride is very comfortable, even in the back despite the fact that there is not a very advanced suspension here. It goes around corners quite well and the seats hold you in place while you whip around. This is a very good car for commuting, and has enough space for all your shopping as well.

March 22, 2008

by Hans C

It is a very spacious sedan, especially in its class. You feel like you are riding in a larger class of cars such as the Accord or Camry. The interior materials are generally good, and the cars driving performance is competent. There are only minor fit and finish issues. The ride is generally supple and handling is generally good.

March 17, 2008

by Daniel G

I love everything about this car, especially its fuel efficiency while still being very peppy and sporty! It's got huge potential for modding, even though it requires $$ to do it. There are many out there who think it can't be done/that it's not designed that way, but they are very wrong!

January 21, 2010