2018 Hyundai Elantra Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life Expectancy, MPG

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra lasts around 250,000 miles with only minor engine and transmission software issues. At $13,900 to $17,475, it’s cheaper than many other compact cars while offering a touch of luxury for the money.

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The Good

Fuel efficiency is great with all of the engines, seating is nice throughout the cabin and the stereo system is easy to control.

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The Bad

The engines are noisier than other compact cars, the suspension is firm and the base model has no safety technology.

Is the 2018 Hyundai Elantra a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 8/10 – 2018 is a great year for the Hyundai Elantra since it offers reliability paired with comfort, giving it a high overall rating. Owner reviews praise the efficient engines, entertainment technology, as well as the long warranty.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are more luxurious than other compact cars, the seats are comfortable & supportive, cargo space is also good.
• Reliability 8/10 – There are no major problems found on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra. Avoid models from 2010–2015 which have engine problems, 2016–2022 are reliable.
• Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the base engines, while the Sport model offers good performance for its size.
• Safety 8/10 – The Elantra is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars overall in government crash tests. Optional safety tech includes a rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, as well as lane keep assist.
• Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 32 MPG, giving 448 miles of range from the 14 gallon tank. Gas costs are $65 cheaper than average, at $147 per month.
• Value 8/10 – The 2018 Elantra is cheaper than many other compact cars with low ownership costs, making it an excellent value.

Positive Owner Reviews

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Yvonnede B

Sport mode on this vehicle is a powerful boost. Love it.

No vehicle problems. Very good on gas, very reliable. Easy road handling, sport mode is very powerful. Nice size. Smooth on the road. Very roomy trunk. Shocks are good, hugs the road good. Great leg, room. Armrest console could be extended a little bit for more arm rest room.

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Judy G

It is roomier than it looks.

It is good for running errands and has enough room for passengers and groceries very happy with it would recommend it.

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Andrea M

Safety and comfort are highly integrated in this car.

I love the backup camera! I really helps getting out tight spots. I love how comfortable it is during long car rides too since I do a lot of road-tripping.

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Alexis A

Great fuel efficient car!

My 2018 Hyundai Elantra car is very fuel efficient. Compared to other cars I have had in the past, it runs really well and is more affordable. I can fill my car up with only $15 and it will last me nearly a week depending on how much driving I do. It drives amazing and it is really smooth on roadways. The comfort level of the car is great and fits five people. A good feature that the car has is that it has a rear view camera which I love because of how helpful it is. It also has sensors that tell when someone is in the lane next to you.

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Kenny S

The Hyundai Elantra 2018 is comfortable and convenient. I like the clean and modern design and the quality.

One of the most important things about it is the security and the safety features (electronic stability control, anti-lock braking system, traction control system…).

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Bre W

It has great security features such as the blind spot alerts.

The only problem I have had is that the passenger seat belt alarm goes off constantly if there is anything at all in the seat such as my cell phone or purse. Other than that, I am very pleased with my car. It gets great gas mileage. The ac works great! I recommend.

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Brian C

It is close to, if not top of its class with its performance and gas mileage.

I love the gas mileage. I fill up about every two weeks. It is very comfortable, and handles very well. The only issue is with the horsepower and acceleration. The design is nice as well.

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Robert J

Inexpensive to buy and operate. Great warranty.

No problems in ten months. Gets very good gas mileage. Has many more options than a person needs. Is very comfortable to ride in. Was inexpensive to buy and inexpensive to maintain.

Negative Owner Reviews

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Mariah B

Hyundai Elantra disaster!!

A lot of engine issues with this model. As soon as I got it after two months the ignition coils went bad. Occasionally the car shakes and the engine makes weird noises. Also, a lot of tire problems. The tires for this model are no good. I lease and they refuse to take care of certain problems and expect me to pay out of pocket for them.

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Sadie G

Sport mode- easy to pass people at a red light.

Not modern enough, lights do not come on automatically, I can only connect my phone thru Bluetooth,I like a car with my link. Bad in the rain and snow. Small,I would like a bigger car like the Chevy Malibu. The plus side to the car is sport mode and that makes it fast.

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Sherry Markell

Awful Car

I had a 2016 and now a 2018, both with problems. I have a 2018 Elantra GT hatchback. After about 6000 Kms started running rough in eco mode and vibrating when excelerating I was told by the dealership just not to use that mode. They reset all the sensors two weeks ago and it ran fine until two days ago now doing the same thing. My passenger seat belt sensor keeps going off which they have reset too. My struts squeak again after they say it was just some dirt. I would never buy another Hyundai again. My Vibe was way better on mpg. Besides cosmetic features this car is bad purchase.

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still under 1st year warranty and its in the shop for 3 months. Dealer cannot locate engine which is dead.

Dont go there

Still in the shop since April.

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Alex daniels

Transmission issues without recall

The cars transmission will fail within 150km then they won’t fix it for free even though the transmission shouldn’t have these issues so early in the cars life. Less then 3 years only and already need to replace it at 130km

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Robert

Don’t buy in white

Don’t buy the white color Code W8 It peels away on hood and roof The car was only one year old They won’t warranty after certain miles I didn’t realize it only happens on that color I’m very happy with the car besides that

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Ashley K

It is actually a very fast car.

Have issues with transmission, and engine rattles when stepping on pedal. It has a very hard shift. The hood latch isn’t very secure and tight. The engine light has always been on since day 1. We had issues with the axle after 1 small fender bender. A lot of plastic parts on the inside.

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Dee S

The vehicle could be better.

Issues with transmission. There’s no dipstick to check the transmission fluid. Smells coming from the vents smelling like petroleum. Changing the cabin filter does not help. Has good gas mileage. Has a lot of space. The earlier years were better with the vehicle.

What Do Critics Say About the Hyundai Elantra?

• Consumer Reports says the 2018 Hyundai Elantra offers excellent fuel economy and space, with average owner satisfaction scores.
• Edmunds rates the 2018 Elantra at 4.1/5, praising the excellent technology features, but doesn’t like the slow shifts from the seven-speed transmission.
• Kelley Blue Book users give the Elantra a 4.2/5, enjoying the luxurious interior, but owners don’t like the limited legroom in the rear seats.

What Common Problems Does the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Have?

Common problems found on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra include excessive noise from the engine, the seven-speed transmission shifting poorly, as well as peeling paint. Overall, these problems are similar to other compact cars, leading to average repair costs as the Elantra ages.

Excessive noise from the engine is the most widespread complaint on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, at roughly 7,000 miles. Usually the problem is caused by the engine misfiring. There is a software update for the ECU which reduces the number of misfires. Most Hyundai dealerships will install the software update for free, while others may charge up to around $50.

The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shifting poorly has also been mentioned by some owners at around 15,000 miles. The dual-clutch transmission is more complex than a traditional automatic, which leads to it shifting harder between gears. There are also transmission software updates available from Hyundai which smooth out the shifting performance.

Peeling paint also shows up on some Hyundai Elantra models at around 50,000 miles. Paint which is not properly cared for and left out in direct sunlight will start to fail. If there are any failure spots, the only way to fix the issue is to repaint the affected areas, costing around $1,000 per panel.

There are no recalls on the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, which means none of the issues have been severe enough in Hyundai’s opinion to issue a recall to change out any parts.

How Long Will the 2018 Hyundai Elantra Last?

A well-maintained 2018 Hyundai Elantra can last around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly less than the top-rated Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are similar to other compact cars, at $420 per year, according to data provided by Repair Pal.

As a 2018 Hyundai Elantra reaches 100,000 miles owners should be prepared to replace the blower motor resistor for $125, oil pump costing $900, as well as the transmission mounts which cost $365.

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Marie K

A blind spot on the sides if the windshield is my only complaint. . No other problems noted. We have driven for a year and a half.

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Judy B

I have had no problems..It is very reliable. No complaints. I like that a little wrench appears when an oil change is needed.

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David T

Reliability is truly not an issue. This my third Elantra and have not had any issues with either one. No problems with anything to date.

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Kelsey L

I haven’t had any problems with my car. I have only had my car since about July. So therefore I haven’t had any issues.

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Jordan H

I have not had any problems with the car. I believe it has been very reliable for me. I drive it almost everyday and for longer distances.

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Tegan L

Yes, the Hyundai Elantra sport is very reliable. I have experienced no problems when driving the car and it performs great.

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Renee T

Very reliable car. I have never had one problem with it. Very low maintenance. And great on gas. Has good pick up speed for getting on freeway.

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Lorrie C

Yes it is reliable. So far, I haven’t had any problems or concerns with the car. It drives well and is comfortable.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology is okay in the 2018 Hyundai Elantra, standard features include 3.5-inch display while 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreens are available as an upgrade.

There’s no standard advanced safety technology offered. Optional safety tech upgrades include a backup camera, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane change assist, as well as adaptive cruise control.

Is the 2018 Hyundai Elantra a Good Value?

Yes, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra is a good value since it’s cheaper than many other compact cars. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $13,900 to $17,475, making it cheaper than a Honda Civic or Mazda3. When new, the price range was $16,950 to $24,350. Depreciation is similar to other small cars, losing about 10% of its current value per year.

What are the Different Models of the Hyundai Elantra?

There are six models of the Hyundai Elantra offered in 2018, from the entry-level SE all the way up to the Sport. It’s also offered as either a four-door sedan or five-door hatchback.

SE is the entry-level model with:

• 15-Inch Steel Wheels
• Cloth Upholstery
• Rear Drum Brakes
• 5-Inch Display
• USB Port
• Bluetooth Connectivity
• Six-Speaker Sound System

SEL is a popular step up, adding:

• 16-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Rear Disc Brakes
• Automatic Headlights
• Rearview Camera
• Blind-Spot Monitoring
• Keyless Entry
• Push-Button Start
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• 7-Inch Touchscreen
• Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
• Satellite Radio

Value Edition adds features including:

• Sunroof
• LED Daytime Running Lights
• Hands Free Trunk Release
• Heated Seats
• Auto-Dimming Rearview Mirror

Eco is more efficient with:

• Smaller Turbo Engine
• 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
• More Underbody Paneling

Limited is the most luxurious model which adds:

• 17-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Leather Upholstery
• Power Driver Seat
• LED Taillights
• Blue Link App Connectivity
• 8-Inch Touchscreen
• Eight-Speaker Stereo System

Sport is the high-performance version which has:

• 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• More Powerful Engine
• Sport Suspension
• Xenon Headlights
• Unique Leather Seats

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 29 MPG. It comes standard with a six-speed manual transmission with an optional six-speed automatic available.
• The Eco model has a more efficient 1.4L 4-cylinder which generates 128 horsepower at up to 32 MPG. It has a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
• The sport model has a more powerful 1.6L 4-cylinder turbo which produces 201 horsepower while getting up to 25 MPG. This engine has either the six-speed manual transmission or the seven-speed dual clutch. Performance is good, taking 6.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.

What Colors Does the Hyundai Elantra Come In?

How Comfortable Is the Hyundai Elantra?

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra is a comfortable compact car offered as a sedan or hatchback, with enough space to fit five passengers. Seating is comfortable throughout the cabin, with nice materials used.

Passenger room is good in the front seats, although the rear seats have limited legroom, which may make them uncomfortable for taller passengers on long rides.

How Much Storage Space Does the Hyundai Elantra Have?

Cargo room is larger than average in the trunk of the sedan model, with enough room for 3-4 full size suitcases. The hatchback offers enough space for 5-6 suitcases behind the rear seats, and around 10 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.

2016: Limited model gets standard keyless entry & ignition, leather seats removed from sport model.

2017: Fully redesigned for the sixth generation with new styling, engines, and a refreshed transmission.

2018: SEL replaces the SE model with Popular Equipment Package.

2019: Minor exterior styling changes, updated technology in the stereo system, more safety features.

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

2021: Fully redesigned with new exterior styling, great touchscreens, and sportier engines.

How Does the Hyundai Elantra Compare to the Competition?

The Hyundai Elantra is a great car, offering some great optional technology, good reliability, as well as a nice interior for the money.

The Hyundai Sonata is a larger sedan offered by Hyundai which costs around $2,000 more. Passenger room is much better in the Hyundai Sonata, while the Hyundai Elantra is sportier to drive. We recommend the Hyundai Elantra since there are more problems reported with the Hyundai Sonata.

The Honda Civic is another compact car which is about $3,000 more expensive. Standard technology is better in the Honda Civic, while the Hyundai Elantra offers a more upscale interior for the money. We recommend the Honda Civic since the ownership costs are lower and you get more tech for your money.

Ranks #13 Small Cars by Owners

1

car

2018 FIAT 500

4.9

2

car

2018 Volkswagen GTI

4.88

13

Tie

car

2018 Hyundai Elantra

4.53

Do Owners Recommend the Hyundai Elantra?

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Marie K

Yes..We enjoy to be warmed seats and sunroof. It has good economy and looks sharp. Reasonable in price.

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Judy B

Yes. Very reliable. Love the back up camera and the warning bell when changing lanes. Feel very safe in this car.
Live the heated seats..Controls are easy to read.

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David T

Yes. Very reliable, easy on gas, plenty of leg and head room. Plenty of power, stable on the road wet or dry.

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Kelsey L

Yes. I have only had it for about since around July. I needed a bigger vehicle because I had just had a child. It definitely is a good car for children.

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Jordan H

Yes, it is safe and gets great gas mileage. I have drove it on multiple long car rides or trips to other states and never felt unsafe or like I wasted too much money on gas. There are a lot of great features in the car for the price point of it.

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Tegan L

Yes, it is reliable and a great size. It has amazing gas mileage which is fantastic for my everyday commute. I recommend this car to anyone.

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Renee T

Yes, it is good on gas and makes driving and parking in big cities easy. Even though it is a small car it is got plenty of room for 5 people to fit comfortably.

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Lorrie C

Yes, it gets me where I need to go reliably. It is comfortable and works for me. I will keep it for a few more years.