2019 Hyundai Elantra Review: Luxurious Compact Car With Good Long-Term Reliability

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra lasts around 250,000 miles with only minor high beam and thermostat issues reported. At $16,550 to $20,375, it’s a good value for a dependable small car with an upscale cabin for the money.

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2019 is a good year for the Hyundai Elantra since it offers an upscale interior with high reliability ratings. Owner reviews praise the nice seats, upgraded technology, as well as the low ownership costs.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior materials are nicer than other compact cars, the seats are comfortable offering nice materials, cargo space is also good for its size.
• Reliability 9/10 – There are no major problems found on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra. Buyers should avoid models from 2012–2015, while 2016–2022 are more reliable.
• Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from all of the engines, even the most powerful engines are still not very fast compared to sportier sedans.
• Safety 8/10 – The 2018 Elantra is a safe car, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Optional upgrades include driver drowsiness monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, as well as adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist.
• Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 35 MPG giving 490 miles of range from the 14 gallon tank. Gas costs are $56 cheaper than average at $147 per month
• Value 8/10 – The 2019 Hyundai Elantra is cheaper than many other compact cars while still holding its value well as it ages due to its long warranty.

What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Elantra?

• Consumer Reports says the 2019 Hyundai Elantra offers excellent efficiency paired with a nice interior while also earning good owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the Elantra at 4.3/5, praising the technology features, but doesn’t like the small back seats.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Elantra a 4.1/5, enjoying the very long 10-year warranty, but owners say it’s not as fun to drive as other small cars.

What Common Problems Does the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Have?

Common problems found on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra include high beam failures, thermostat issues, as well as the blind spot collision warning system. Overall, these problems are minor compared to other compact cars from 2019, leading to low ownership costs as well.

High beam failures are the most widespread complaint from 2019 Hyundai Elantra owners at around 20,000 miles. The shutter that covers the high beams in the headlights wears out, and has to be replaced. Many dealerships change out the headlights for free under warranty. Out of warranty, they’re around $250 per light.

Thermostat issues have also shown up on some 2019 Elantra models at around 1,500 miles. The thermostat on the coolant line simply fails, and has to be replaced. Changing out the thermostat costs around $500 if it’s outside the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty, while most dealers replace it for free if it fails.

Blind spot collision warning system issues are also mentioned by some 2019 Hyundai Elantra owners at around 15,000 miles. Owners report false positive warnings while driving. There are some calibration problems which are covered for free under warranty as well.

There’s only one recall on the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, which is fewer than other sedans. It covers improperly heat-treated piston oil rings which can allow the engine to stall. Hyundai will replace the engine on affected models for free on some models which have the 2.0L 4-cylinder engine.

How Long Will the 2019 Hyundai Elantra Last?

A well-maintained 2019 Hyundai Elantra can last around 250,000 miles, which is around 50,000 miles less than the long-lasting Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other small cars, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $390 per year.

As a used 2019 Hyundai Elantra ages, reaching 100,000 miles, owners should be prepared to replace the tire pressure monitor control module for $300, hood latch costing $150, as well as the seat heater, which costs $275.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is very good, offering a standard 5-inch display with Bluetooth connectivity. Optional upgrades include larger 7 or 8-inch touchscreens with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Safety technology is great for a small sedan, with a standard rearview camera. Optional advanced safety features include driver drowsiness monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, lane change assist, as well as rear cross traffic alert.

Is the 2019 Hyundai Elantra a Good Value?

Yes, the 2019 Hyundai Elantra is a good value since it offers an upscale interior and lower prices than most other compact cars. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $16,550 to $20,375, making it cheaper than a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $17,200 to $24,400. Depreciation is good, losing about 7% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Elantra?

There are seven models of the 2019 Hyundai Elantra sedan offered, from the base SE all the way up to the more powerful GT N-Line. All Elantra models come with front-wheel drive.

SE is the entry-level model with:

• 15-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Seating
• Front Disc & Rear Drum Brakes
• Air Conditioning
• 60/40 Split Folding Rear Seat
• Bluetooth
• 5-Inch Central Display
• Six-Speaker Sound System

SEL is a step up, adding:

• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Rear Disc Brakes
• Automatic Headlights
• Heated Side Mirrors
• 7-Inch Touchscreen Stereo System
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Satellite Radio
• Driver Safety System

Value Edition is next in the lineup with:

• Sunroof
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Keyless Entry
• Push-Button Start
• Heated Front Seats
• Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel

Limited has more upgrades such as:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• LED Headlights
• Leather Upholstery
• Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror
• Wireless Charging Pad
• Eight-Speaker Infinity Premium Audio System

Eco is a more efficient model with:

• 4L 4-Cylinder Engine
• 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Similar Features to Value Edition

Sport is a more fun version with:

• 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Firmer Rear Suspension
• Stronger Brakes
• Chrome Exterior Trim
• Sport Seats
• 8-Inch Touchscreen

GT N-Line is the high-performance version adding:

• Upgraded Sport Suspension
• More Powerful Engine
• Unique Interior Trim
• Larger Brakes
• Rear Spoiler

What Engines Come In the Hyundai Elantra?

• The base engine is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 147 horsepower while getting up to 32 MPG. It comes with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic transmission.
• The Eco model comes with a more efficient turbocharged 1.4L 4-cylinder which generates 128 horsepower at up to 35 MPG. It has a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
• The GT comes with a slightly more powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder which produces 161 horsepower and gets up to 27 MPG. This also has the six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.
• The Elantra GT N-Line comes with a stronger turbocharged 1.6L 4-cylinder engine which offers 201 horsepower at up to 28 MPG. It also features a seven-speed automatic transmission. Performance is good, taking 6.6 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Hyundai Elantra Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Elantra?

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra is a very comfortable compact car, offered as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback with the GT models. Seating is very nice throughout the car with soft leather and cloth options available.

Passenger room is good in the Elantra for a car of its size, although taller adults will feel cramped in the backseats since there’s limited legroom.

How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Elantra Have?

Cargo space is similar to other compact cars with enough room for 3-4 suitcases in the trunk The hatchback model has enough room for 5-6 suitcases behind the rear seats, and 10-12 with the seats folded flat.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

The sixth generation of the Hyundai Elantra came out in 2017, and was replaced by the seventh generation in 2021.

2015: No major changes from earlier years.

2016: Value Edition model added to the lineup of models.

2017: Fully redesigned for the sixth generation with new engines, transmission, and interior.

2018: New SEL model which replaces the SE with Popular Equipment package.

2019: Minor exterior styling changes, more standard technology on all models.

2020: New automatic transmission, more safety features, dual-zone climate control standard.

2021: Redesigned for the seventh generation with new styling, technology, and engines.

How Does the Hyundai Elantra Compare to the Competition?

The Hyundai Elantra is a very good compact car since it offers a very long 10 year/100,000 mile warranty paired with a more upscale interior than many of the other budget-friendly options.

The Kia Forte is another compact car which costs around $1,000 less. Steering is more responsive in the Kia Forte, while the Hyundai Elantra offers a much nicer interior. We recommend the Hyundai Elantra since there are fewer problems reported by owners as they age.

The Hyundai Sonata is a larger car offered by Hyundai which costs $1,700 more. Passenger room is better throughout the Hyundai Sonata, while the Hyundai Elantra offers better reliability ratings for 2019. We recommend the Hyundai Elantra for 2019, yet the competition is closer in other years.

Do Owners Recommend the Hyundai Elantra?