2017 Hyundai Elantra Review: Affordable & Reliable Compact Car

2017 is a good year for the Elantra, lasting over 250,000 miles with no widespread issues. Used prices are reasonable at $13,336 – 18,425, well worth the money.

2017 Hyundai Elantra: Key Points

• Reliability ratings are good, with fewer engine problems than older models. Elantras from 2016 through 2021 are all very similar, with few complaints.
• There’s average power from the three 4-cylinder engines.
• Fuel economy is great at up to 35 MPG combined.
• Safety ratings are excellent, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests and a Top Safety Pick+ Award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
• We recommend the 2017 Elantra offering a luxurious interior and a lot of technology for the money. The Elantra ranks 15^th out of 35 compact cars based on owner reviews.

Top Critics Reviews

• Consumer Reports finds the Elantra to be roomy, but misses out on performance with only average owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates it 4.3 out of 5 and finds the redesigned Elantra to have impressive tech, but a clunky transmission.
• Kelley Blue Book gives the Elantra 4.5/5, finding it to be stylish, but unable to match the Civic in overall value.

What Problems Does the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Have?

Problems on the Elantra include engine issues, heater failures, and peeling paint. There are fewer complaints on the 2018–2021 models, and going with a 2018 only costs $200 more.

Engine problems, including a loss of power while driving, happen to some cars at around 55,000 miles. Owners have been able to solve the problem by replacing the coil pack for $400.

Heat system failures are common in vehicles under 20,000 miles. Often a failed thermostat causes the system to not work. There’s a service bulletin for the thermostat to be replaced under the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty.

Peeling paint is another issue on cars at around 40,000 miles. When the paint is not properly cared for, it peels and chips off. The only solution is repainting affected areas for $1,000 per panel.

There are 4 recalls, an average amount for a compact car. Recalls include air bags, power brake assist, and power steering assist. The most serious recalls are brake and steering parts which increase the risk of an accident.

How Much is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Worth?

Blue book prices are $13,336 – 18,425 making the Elantra more expensive than a Sentra or Focus. When new, prices were $17,150 to $22,750. Depreciation is average in current market conditions, losing about 4% of the current value per year.

How Long Will the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Last?

A well-maintained 2017 Elantra will last about 250,000 miles, similar to a Mazda3, but about 50,000 miles less than a Corolla. Repair Pal finds the annual maintenance costs to be affordable, at $430 per year.

As an Elantra reaches over 100,000 miles, there are some parts owners should prepare to replace including serpentine belts for $80, exhaust manifold gaskets costing $200, and voltage regulators which cost $325.

What Are the Models & Specs?

SE is the entry-level model with:

• 15-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• Air Conditioning
• Power Locks and Windows

Eco is a fuel-efficient model adding:

• 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder
• LED Lights
• Dual-Clutch Transmission

Limited focuses on luxury adding:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Leather Seating
• Chrome Body Trim
• Xenon Headlights

Sport is a performance-oriented version and has:

• 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• More Powerful Engine
• Sport Suspension
• Larger Brakes

What Technology & Safety Features Are Included?

Technology is very good in the 2017 Elantra since it was just redesigned for the 2015 model with the next updates coming in 2020.

• Base technology includes an AM/FM/CD stereo system with 6-speakers, and satellite radio.
• Optional upgrades include 7 or 8-inch touchscreen infotainment systems, Bluetooth, USB, 8-speaker Infinity Stereo system as well as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
• Standard safety features include air bags and anti-lock brakes. Available upgrades include a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and automatic brake assistance.

What Engine Options are Available?

Performance is weak in the entry-level Elantra, and only average in the Sport model. The most powerful engine takes the car from 0 to 60 in 7.1 seconds.

• The base engine is a relatively weak 2.0L 4-cylinder with 147 horsepower.
• A more efficient 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder is available in the Eco model with 128 horsepower.
• The Sport model comes with a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine which has 201 horsepower.

What Color Options are Available?

How Big is the Elantra?

The 2017 Elantra is a compact car similar in size to the Civic and Jetta. Passenger room is cramped in the back seats for adults, with limited legroom.

Cargo space is excellent with 14.4 cubic feet of room in the trunk, and comes standard with folding rear seats to carry larger items.

How Does the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Compare to Other Cars?

A highly-rated competitor is the more expensive Honda Civic. The Civic offers better performance, but the Elantra has a more luxurious interior. Between the two cars, the Civic is a better choice, with fewer engine complaints.

Another rival is the Toyota Corolla, which is also more expensive. The Corolla has outstanding long-term reliability, but there’s more technology available in the Elantra. Overall, the Corolla is a better long-term choice, but the competition is very close.

Final Verdict: Is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra a Good Car?

Yes, the Elantra gets a good rating of 4.4/5 with many positive owner reviews mentioning great dependability, efficiency, and high-tech safety features.

The 2017 model is a good choice offering improvements over the 2012–2014 models which had widespread engine problems. Upgrading to a 2018 is only about $200 more, and there are fewer complaints.