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Used 2006 Hyundai Elantra Consumer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
125 reviews

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Cons
1.25 out of 5 stars

Engine blew out at 34K

vivient, 12/31/2013
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 11 people found this review helpful

Very disappointed in the car as well as manufacturer. Car was rarely driven and well maintained. Engine power was significantly pales when compared to a similar Toyota or Honda model. Brake pads do not last at all. Our car's radiator blew out at 34K and damaged the engine. Manufacturer refused to cover repair cost under warranty even though it has not expired, basically has been a big fat lie about warranty. Will not ever consider the brand again.

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5 out of 5 stars

Aging, but practical and reliable

Satisfied owner, 09/09/2021
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

It's not luxurious, but my car is at over 160k miles now and keeps working reliably. The driving experience is typical for an economy car. It is not a sporty car, but its handling and acceleration is adequate and reasonably enjoyable. So long as you remember there is no ABS, it handles winter driving fine, particularly with good winter tires, except for very deep snow where ground clearance becomes an issue as with any small car. The ride is not luxurious, but it is comfortable. Wind and road noise are somewhat high, so long trips can be fatiguing. The stereo is mediocre. My biggest complaint is that the midwestern winters and salt have caused bad rust around some of the wheel wells and smaller rust spots elsewhere, but this has been almost entirely restricted to the body. Rust has not significantly affected any structural components of the car. I did not wash it regularly, so a more fastidious owner may have been able to stave off some of the rust. I have not had to get much work done on this car to keep it running well besides routine maintenance. Most replacement parts are also not very expensive. Not counting routine wear items or scheduled service, since buying this car at ~50k miles in 2012, I have replaced: -All 4 struts at ~80k miles (probably not helped by all our potholes) -Front wheel bearing at ~120k miles -Rusted through exhaust flex pipe at ~130k miles -Outer tie rod and all 4 sway bar end links at ~140k miles -Upper O2 sensor and a front brake caliper (rust wore down caliper bracket threads, but the old caliper itself was fine) at ~150k miles -Replaced the rear struts again at ~160k miles.

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
4 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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2006 Hyundai Elantra for sale near you
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4 out of 5 stars

Still going strong

dragunz, 01/11/2013
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Well, here it is 2013 and my 2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS is still going strong. 128k miles on it, its paid off, and it has only had a few issues over the past six years other than standard maintenance. The one thing that still irks the hell out of me though is the staring wheel material. It has degraded and is basically crumbling away. I took it to the dealership when i was still within the 60k bumper to bumper warranty. They had the nerve to tell me it was not covered and i was causing the damage with my finger nails??? Oh well, that's what black electrical tape and steering wheel covers are for. All in all i am hoping to keep this car another two years for my daughter.

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1 out of 5 stars

My Car Air Bags don't deploy MY Car still Unsafe!

Raul E. Garcia Sr, 01/05/2016
updated 07/14/2017
2006 Hyundai Elantra GT 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
11 of 14 people found this review helpful

2006 Hyundai Elantra , many years ago, I was involved in an accident, and the air bags did not deploy! dealer and manufacturer did not replace the car, 0r offer me a deal on a new one, I had to drive this piece of junk without air bags, very unsafe, they said that the new? cars don;t have this problem, but I found out that they do! many complaints, dealers don't caare, and manufacturer never, NEVER contacted me about it. They don't [non-permissible content removed] , Don't buy any Hundai, they are very unsafe. and you will not find a solution for it. Raul Garcia in Dallas Texas dealer is on 635 in Mesquite TX (junk, junk, junk). Ralph in Mesquite Texas

Safety
1 out of 5 stars
Technology
1 out of 5 stars
Performance
1 out of 5 stars
Interior
2 out of 5 stars
Comfort
2 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
1 out of 5 stars
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3.38 out of 5 stars

Transmission Problems

missmyescort, 01/15/2013
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

I've had my 2006 Elantra for 3 years. Up until the last week I was pretty impressed with the value. These cars are much cheaper than those in its class for any given year. I had to replace the A/C condenser and a power steering pump but not bad for three years. ENTER YEAR 4 & THE TRANNY PROBLEM! I didn't read a single review about Hyundai tranny problems... but once my car started having problems I googled "hard shift from 2nd to 3rd after car has warmed up" and WOW! A lot of people have had this problem. Replacement was the only successful fix (appears it doesn't lead to failure but I can't live it). These car also have timing belts, another expensive maintenance item so trade it in I did.

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2.13 out of 5 stars

Good Luck Fixing It

driver, 02/12/2006
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful

The check-engine light went on. So I went to the dealer, who told me the exhaust manifold is cracked, and it will not be covered under the warranty because "it must be your driving." A few months later, I get a letter from Hyundai telling me exactly that the car is known to crack the manifold itself. So I go to the dealer and asked both the exhaust manifold and catalyst converter to be replaced. The fix costed over $800, and Hyunai would only reimburse about $400. 1 weeks later, car starts to lose power, and eventually died on the highway. It turns out the dealer never replaced the manifold or the converter and the car overheated and killed radiator.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

2nd Elantra

Kelly, 06/20/2006
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful

I checked alot of cars before buying the Elantra 5 speed hatchback. I owned a 2000 Elantra SW that gave me no problems for 6 years, the brakes were still just over 50%. Our 2nd car is a 2003 Camry auto, so I wanted something sportier. I ended up with an Elantra hatchback standard, fully loaded. H rated tires, sunroof, suspension package, fast, maneuvrable; and with tinted windows, and disabler ignition thrown in for free by the dealer, This is one fun car. Surprisingly better made than the 2000 Elantra. The Camry is a nice ride, but the Hatch is fun and very nice looking. The trip computor says I'm averaging 8.4L/100 KM. Hopefully that wil improve as the car breaks in

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4 out of 5 stars

Overall...A Good Value

Austin, 08/17/2006
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

This Hyundai feels strong driving around town but handling is on the soft side. Ride quality is good for an economy car and relatively quiet until you rev past 3000 rpm. Downside, does not get good fuel economy with automatic and shifts are slower than other cars.

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3.25 out of 5 stars

Hyundai NO way!

Hyundia NO way!!, 12/09/2008
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Such poor quality, It rides like a buck board and so much road noise it's deafening. The radio has a hissing that is growing with age. The cheap battery didn't even last two years. Cheap tires only lasted 26,000 mi. It has never seen 37 mpg not even on a flat road at 60 mph with no A/C. The 85 dollar drivers door gasket has disintegrated twice. I don't even drive it on a daily basis and the sea tbelt does not readily retract all the way. The seat springs are already starting to go. In the smallest amount of snow and Ice it gets stuck. The body is of such cheap metal It collapsed when I accidentally closed the hatch on the XM antenna. In dry so cal climate the steel wheels are already rusting

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Long on Value

Elton, 05/23/2006
2006 Hyundai Elantra GLS 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I already own a Ford Focus and have owned Hondas, Nissans, and Toyotas. The first year's mediocre performance of my 2005 Ford Focus SE made me look to an import. Honda, Nissan, and Toyota have priced themselves out of the budget market without providing that much higher quality and finish than Hyundai. I had reservations about Hyundai, but I did my research and was surprised at the reviews. I've now owned this vehicle for a month and have averaged 27 mpg in city (Atlanta) driving. I have not found any quirks with the car and am pleased that I have had no buyer's remorse. The car could use a few more horsepower, but with the 5 speed is still respectable. It may be dated, but it's a bargain.

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