The 2021 Hyundai Elantra lasts around 200,000 miles, with some dash warning light and tail light issues reported. At $20,050 to $24,650, it’s a good value for a compact sedan with an upscale interior for the money.
Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 8/10 – 2021 is a good year for the Hyundai Elantra since it offers a budget-friendly choice with a nice cabin. Owner reviews praise the long ten-year warranty, low ownership costs, along with the efficient engines.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior materials are nicer than many other cars in the same price range, the seats are comfortable, cargo space is also decent for its size.
- Reliability 8/10 – There are no major issues on the 2021 Elantra. Avoid models from 2012–2015 since they have serious engine problems. Models from 2016–2022 are more dependable options.
- Performance 8/10 – The base engine is relatively slow, while the N model is very fast for a compact car.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2021 Elantra is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with automatic emergency braking along with lane keep assist. Optional upgrades include adaptive cruise control.
- Gas Mileage 8/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 35 MPG, giving 490 miles of range from the 14 gallon tank. Gas costs are $55 cheaper than average at $155 per month.
- Value 8/10 – The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is cheaper than many other cars while also depreciating slowly, making it a good value.
What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Elantra?
- Consumer Reports says the 2021 Hyundai Elantra offers excellent comfort and technology upgrades, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Elantra at 4.1/5, praising the very efficient engine choices, but doesn’t like the hard plastic interior trim.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Elantra a 4.1/5, enjoying the excellent rear legroom for a small sedan, but owners don’t like the smaller trunk than the older model.
What Common Problems Does the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Have?
Common problems reported on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra include warning lights on the dash, the tail lights failing, along with some power steering problems. Overall, these problems are similar to some other compact cars on the market, leading to average repair costs as the Elantra ages.
Warning lights on the dash are the most widespread complaint on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, at around 2,000 miles. To determine the source of the warning light you will need to use an OBD-II scan tool to read for any codes. Once you’ve read the codes you can either reset the light if it’s nothing major, or replace damaged parts which can cause the light to turn on.
The tail lights failing has also been reported on some 2021 Elantra models in the first 500 miles. Usually, the problem is simply caused by a loose wiring harness to the tail lights. Reconnecting the harness fixes the problem, and most of the time dealers will do it for free on such a new car.
Power steering problems also show up on some 2021 Elantras at roughly 1,500 miles. The electronic power steering motor has been reported to turn off suddenly. Usually, the problem is caused by either a blown fuse, or a damaged electrical motor. On a car this new Hyundai will fix the problems under warranty. Out of warranty, a repair can cost $50 to $750, depending on the source.
There are five recalls on the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, which is worse than other compact cars from the same year. Most of the recalls cover seat belt pretensioners, which may explode. Hyundai will replace the pretensioners in affected models for free. Other recalls cover the seat-back recliners, along with the windshield bonding, which Hyundai will also fix at no charge.
How Long Will the 2021 Hyundai Elantra Last?
A well-maintained 2021 Hyundai Elantra can last around 200,000 miles, which is shorter than other compact cars like the Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are cheaper than some other small sedans, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $385 per year.
As a used 2021 Hyundai Elantra reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the radiator hose for $275, timing belt tensioner costing $400, along with the alternator which costs $700.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is excellent with a standard 8-inch touchscreen stereo system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional upgrades include a more powerful sound system, along with a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen.
Standard safety technology is great for a small car, offering:
- Rearview camera
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind spot monitoring
- Lane keep assist
- Driver attention warning
- High-beam assist
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Lane follow assist
Optional advanced driver assistance features include:
- Cyclist detection
- Rear parking sensors
- Collision avoidance assist
- Adaptive cruise control
- Park distance warning
- Highway driving assist
Is the 2021 Hyundai Elantra a Good Value?
Yes, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other compact cars on the market. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $20,050 to $24,650, making it less than a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $19,650 to $25,450. Depreciation is better than other small cars, only losing about 3% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Elantra?
There are five models of the 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered form the base SE all the way through to the more luxurious Limited. There are also the sporty Elantra N Line and Elantra N models. The Elantra comes standard with front-wheel drive on all models.
SE is the entry-level model with:
- 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Upholstery
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Chrome Grille
- Height-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 8-Inch Touchscreen
- Four Speaker Audio System
SEL is a step up, adding:
- 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Keyless Entry
- Push-Button Start
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Satellite Radio
- Six-Speaker Sound System
Limited is the luxury model which has:
- Leather Seats
- 25-Inch Touchscreen
- Enhanced Voice Recognition System
- Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Additional Driver Assistance Features
N Line offers improved performance with:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Performance Tires
- Sport-Tuned Springs
- Exterior Styling Changes
- Cloth & Leather Seats
N is the sportiest model which offers:
- 19-Inch Alloy Wheels
- High-Performance Summer Tires
- Larger Brakes
- Upgraded Rear Suspension
- Unique Steering Wheel
- Sport Front Seats
What Engines Come In the Hyundai Elantra?
- The base engine in the 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 147 horsepower at up to 35 MPG. It comes standard with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
- An available upgrade on the N Line model is a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder which produces 201 horsepower at up to 31 MPG. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
- The N model comes standard with a stronger 2.0L 4-cylinder which generates 275 horsepower while getting up to 28 MPG. It has a standard six-speed manual transmission, or an optional eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. Performance is good, taking 6.4 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Hyundai Elantra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Elantra?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is designed with passenger comfort in mind, making it an enjoyable ride for both drivers and occupants. The interior boasts a sleek and modern layout with high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, providing an upscale feel. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, providing a pleasant experience during long drives. The Elantra also offers ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, accommodating adults of various heights with ease.
How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Elantra Have?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offers a spacious and practical storage capacity, making it a great choice for drivers who need ample room for their belongings. The sedan provides 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space, which can easily accommodate several pieces of luggage, grocery bags, or small to medium-sized items. In addition to the generous trunk space, the 2021 Elantra also features a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, which can be folded down to create even more room for larger items, such as bicycles or furniture. Overall, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra delivers a versatile storage solution that meets the needs of most drivers, whether it’s for daily errands or weekend getaways.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The seventh generation of the Hyundai Elantra was introduced for the 2021 model year.
2015: No major changes from earlier years.
2016: Value Edition model offered as a new choice.
2017: Redesigned for the sixth generation with new exterior, interior, and engines.
2018: SEL model introduced to replace the SE with Popular Equipment Package model.
2019: Minor exterior styling changes, better standard technology across all models.
2020: Upgraded automatic transmission, dual-zone climate control is standard, more added safety features.
2021: Fully redesigned for the seventh generation with new engines, styling, and technology.
How Does the Hyundai Elantra Compare to the Competition?
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is a very nice choice in the compact sedan segment, offering luxurious features for the money, although long-term reliability is a bit lower than some of the competitors on the market.
The Hyundai Sonata is a larger sedan available in the same price range. Passenger room is better in the Hyundai Sonata, while the Hyundai Elantra comes standard with more safety technology features. We recommend the Hyundai Sonata since it’s more practical, although both are very similar sedans.
The Honda Civic is another small sedan which costs about $1,500 more. Performance is a bit better in the Honda Civic with more responsive steering, while the Hyundai Elantra offers a more upscale interior. We recommend the Honda Civic since it lasts longer, although both are decent compact cars.
