Used 2006 Hyundai Elantra Sedan Consumer Reviews
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2006 Elantra GLS still going strong at 214,576
I bought this car new in june of 2006. The only thing I have done to this car is change the oil every 5,000 miles. I have gone through 3 sets of tires and front brakes 3 times. at 120,000 I did a complete tune up and had the trans and radiator flushed. This is my 4th elantra and they heve never let me down. Just make sure you do the basic maintaince and it will last a long time. I do drive 90% of the time on the highway. With the cruise controll set at 68mph I am still getting 32mpg on the highway. If i set it at 78mph it drops to 28mpg.
A Really Great Car
This car was purchased in California and driven to Florida, back to California and back to Florida. Absolutely no trouble. I recommend the Hyundai Elantra very highly. The front seats are not comfortable on long trips however around town they are adequate. This car gets great gas mileage. The only mechanical problem was the original catalytic converter failed at 60,000 miles but it was covered under warranty and was replaced. Oh, by the way, the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty is simply fantastic. I will never buy another car unless it has the 10/100000 warranty.
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116,800 mi, 8 years--never let me down!
I'm surprised at all the mixed reviews here. I live in PA and bought my Elantra new in '06. roughly 6 months are cold, some snowy. I do 50% highway, 50% city. I do all recommended maintenance and in almost 8 years, changed brake pads 2x, tires 3x, headlights 4x, radiator 1x (102kmi), and an 02 sensor. The car NEVER let me down and repairs have been minimal and reasonable. I'm considering getting a new Elantra due to greater safety specs, but I'm leaning towards just putting in another new timing belt at 120 and doing the service. I totally see myself getting over 200K. Those who report bad things probably beat the hell out of their car. Just take care of it!
check engine light
I took home my 2006 Elantra the next day after 40 miles the check engine light came on. I took it back to the dealer he said every thing was fine. I got 1/2 mile and the check engine light was on again. I see another review that has the same problem. I am wondering is this a problem. They say I will get a new car tomorrow. The code is cyl 4 missfire when they run a computer check.
Nothing but problems
On one hand, I have made this little car work hard. This car has driven from Florida to California and halfway back pulling full 5x8 Uhaul trailers. It has driven from Northern to Southern California and back. On the other hand, I have had this car since 35k. In that time I have replaced the power steering pump 6 times. I have replaced everything else power steering-related at least twice. I have replaced many aspects of the exhaust system, the wheel bearings, anything and everything brakes including the brake lines, most fuses, the controls for the locks and windows, and more. I continue to average a few thousand every year in repairs since I bought this car.
low maintenance and fuel efficient
Overall this car is great. Bouht it when it was new in 2006 because it has a 5 star safety rating and was inexpensive around 13,000. I had horrible credit but hyundai is great at approving financing. Ive only had to do oil changes and one set of tires. Have 36000 miles all highway. I drive long distance and car is very comfy on highway and its "get up n go" peppy. the ac and heat is fanominal in this car and the hotest/coldest ive ever seen. I still have original light bulbs and only used 3 tanks of gas to drive ny to fl as i commute. car is especially smooth with michellin tires and quiet. There is no wind noise at all. I replaced the radio with a sony and sound quality is 10 times better.
warranty fail
I was in love with my car. I took out extended warranty, bumper to bumper warranty(inside and out). I convinced 12 of my family and friends to buy a Hyundai. I serviced my car religiously. Warranty ran out at 100,000 miles and at 110,000 I now need a new transmission. Paint starting peeling at 108,000 headlights fogged over at 102,000. If it weren't for so many Hyundai transmission problems I would look for a new transmission. Now that I've read about all the other people that have had the same thing, why bother.
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Best car I have owned.
It has been totally dependable. I have not put it through alot of miles so I can't testify for long term. My problem is getting in and out all the time.
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One of the best used car values around
My Elantra is a 5spd model. Excellent power and fuel economy. Very good build quality and very comfortable for the class. This car feels like it will run forever. The only negatives are the ease in which you can dent the body panels and the engine turns a bit to many rpm's at highway speeds for my taste. The resale value is poor, which makes it an excellent used car value. I bought mine in Dec. of 08 with 23,000 miles on it for $7.5k Would highly recommend the Elantra
Engine blew out at 34K
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.
Still going strong
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.
Aging, but practical and reliable
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.
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Good Luck Fixing It
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.
Transmission Problems
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.
Overall...A Good Value
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.
Worst car ever !!!
I purchased my hyundia elantra GLS only 4 months ago and I am looking to unload this car fast, it handles really poorly. Have to floor it to get it up to 20mph and from there it speeds up to 50 by hardly touching the gas. The gas pedal has a very soft and loose feel to it, and I don't feel I have any control over this car. My previous 1999 corolla handled much better than this. The car looks nice for the money but was not worth buying as I don't feel safe nor enjoy driving it.
cold and frustrated
All though I have enjoyed my hyundai very much, in the winter it is very cold. I can't leave my car running to warm up without staying in it. There is a saftey feature that won't allow you to lock your doors with the car running so that you won't lock your self out. This may be good for people in warm places but for me it is very frustrating. When I asked my local dealer about it they weren't much help at all. Also for "SAFTEY REASONS" you should be able to lock yourself in in case an extreme situation forces you to do so.
Oh, what a car!
Very reliable, comfortable, and great gas mileage.
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2006 Elantra at 159,000 miles in 2022
I bought my 2006 Elantra brand new. It's at 159,000 miles. I know this car very well and it's been very reliable. I still like the style, but sixteen years later the bumper and side mirror paint is peeling. Oxidation is on the roof and hood. The headlights yellow easily. Some interior parts have worn down - driver's door handle replaced 1x, mirrors fell out of the sun visors, the plastic has shrunk/torn around sun visors, and the dashboard vinyl has cracked. I've kept up with the oil changes, new tires, battery, air filter, spark plug, and brake pad replacements. So far, other repairs have been the following: Early on the radiator hose came loose and it's been replaced with a stainless steel clamp, the s-belts and timing belts replaced 2x, water pump 1x, rear brake drums 1x, transmission flush 1x, alternator replaced 2x, fuel sensor replacement 2x, radiator tank replaced 1x, and recently two hoses replaced from an oil leak which burned through a radiator hose. Because of the mileage and age, I think it might have other parts that are wearing down and it'll have more repairs more often. It might make a good used car for someone who likes fixing cars at home. I don't have the tools or skills to fix it at home and so I rely on car repair shops which is becoming expensive. Overall, it's been a good car, but's it's time to trade it in for something newer.
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A automobile Elantra GLS AT
I am averaging 26 miles per gallon overall. Consumer Reports says 24 miles per gallon. The EPA says the average is 27 miles per gallon average. The reports say the average consumer is getting 24.2miles per gallon. The Elantra I have has ABS traction control with a sunroof. I rate the car as a consumer a 9. As an expert I feel the car is a better than the Corolla LE.The cruise control on the Corolla was difficult toengage.Not so with Elantra.
Hyundai Elantra a bargain.
This car has been full of surprises. 33mpg hwy, 26-27mpg town. Cruises at 100mph easily on the highway. (Yes, 100mph. Easily.) The ride on the highway is much smoother than one would expect, but when pushed at a brisk rate the car still handles very well, never leaving you feeling out of control. Good brakes. Also, no rattles. No squeaks. Very good quality of build.
Be Real
For the price, warranty, gas per gallon of gas, a consumer can't ask for anything more. 10's all the way across. My wife's first car and it is a perfect investment and a great car to handle for a inexperienced driver. Great job Hyundai!
Great value, great fun
This car handles well and at the same time rides very comfortably on the road. Sporty feel without the roughness of a true sports car. Nice combination.
This cars a beast
I have actually been very lucky with my car. The timing belt broke while it was being driven and it was saveable. Then I drove it 400 miles on the highway without the oil cap on. (My bad) and luckily there was no damage. Close to 300,000 miles and going strong.
Corners like my old 65 BMW 1600
When I was stationed in Germany from 1969 to 1971, I had a 1965 BMW. I put a LOT of "spirited driving miles " on it on the two lane "Bundestrasses" and loved the way it cornered. The 2006 Elantra that I bought in May pleasently shocked me by the way IT handles. I set the cruise at 65 to 70 mph, cross my legs at the ankles, and just drive the car through the corners on the two lanes out here in rural Texas. If anything, the car doesn't feel like I'm pushing it in the corners, it just goes through them. This will be the first of many Hyundais, when I pay this off, I'll keep it, and replace my 1990 wrangler with a then new Tucson. BTW, I get 36 to the Gal. on the two lanes out here.
Mine was a Lemon...
Catalytic converter went out first but just after my warranty expired. Radiator and all belts including the timing belt next. Needed a few batteries. Had regular oil changes and maintenance checkups . Was only driven about 5,000 per year, but did have 26,000 on it when purchased. Air conditioning was the only thing that worked without concerns.
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Extremely Unhappy with my choice
I bought a Hyundai Elantra in 2006. About 11k miles on the car that I noticed my right rear tire's treads are exposed. I TOOK THE CAR TO FIRE STONE ON TALBERT AVE. IN FOUNTAIN VALLEY CA., TO BUY A NEW TIRE, THE ATTENDANT BEFORE SEEING THE CAR ASKED ME IF I NEED TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE OF A HYUNDAI. I asked how did he know about the exact tire of the specific car he told me this is a common problem with HYUNDAIS Shortly after my driver side door handle broke while under warranty TUTTLE CLICK HYUNDAI said it is vandalism and not covered under warranty. I followed all procedures and finally went to SMALL CLAIM COURT where the judge ruled no one is responsible for the warranty work
Terrific vehicle!!
Love the vehicle. Never buy American again due my experiences 4 almost 50 yrs driving. Vehicle has great power & pickup for a 4 sp auto trans. Gas mileage (approx 25 mpg) is great because drive about 45% city, bal hwy. Tend to gun it from stop lite. Handles well, comfortable to drive although at times feel the seats bit 2 low 4 long distance driving. Notice difference when driving dad's sonata. Noticed steering wheel was shaking at high speeds, learned rt front wheel was slightly bent. Hit a terrific pothole dec 2008 . Experienced blowout. Bought 2 new tires (not dealer) they didn't check wheel even though I explained what happened. Had slow leak. Now ok.
Great Car
Is an excellent point A-B and back car. If concerned about reliability and price it is an A+
Surprising pleased!
Traded in my Dodge Ram and, after the initial regret, am not looking back. A much smoother ride, more than enough comfort & room (both front and back seats), and MUCH better mileage made my transfer from truck to sedan less painful. I debated for a month or so & actually settled on a Kia Spectra, but after comparing optional to standard features & the over all comfort & ride, went with the Elantra. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a mid-size sedan but not wanting to spend alot of money. My first road trip last week was the test for roominess during a trip. The results: passed with flying colors!
Not a Good Car
I currently own an 06 Elantra, after owning an 02 Elantra, I am seriously disappointed. The gas mileage has gotten horrid. I don't even get 18 miles to the gallon anymore, and it has been to every required maintenance and then more. I have taken good care of it, but the reliability of the parts is terrible, and again it has become a horrific gas guzzler. I am at a loss, as is Hyundai, to why it can't get anything over 18 mpg. It is poorly built, the interior has begun to fall apart, switches and knobs have broken, and the cloth seats are coming apart. This car has been used as an in city car only, but is still just falling apart, and costing me an arm and a leg to continue to drive.
Excellent car for the price
I am very satisfied with my Elantra. It gets great gas mileage with the manual transmission, and has plenty of pickup for an economy car. The seats are comfortable, and I haven't heard any rattles inside. Everything seems to be of high quality. The stereo sounds very good, much better than you would expect for a car in this class. Absolutely no complaints so far! For $13,500 after deducting the rebate you can't beat this deal. I have seen photos of what the new version will look like and the current Elantra looks better! Plus the new Elantra will likely have some quirks and design errors (being the first year after a redesign), so I felt more comfortable buying the current '06 model.
cheap, tinny and reliable
We have had the Hyundai since new, it now has 111,000 miles on it and it is very reliable and has never let us down. However, the rest of the car is falling apart around the drivetrain. The rear door locks don't work, the windshield broke the first year we bought it and it eats tires! Not to mention it dents if you look at it funny. It has not been a bad car but I would not buy another Hyundai. The fit and finish makes you feel like you failed in life somewhere and you will soon be parking this thing in front of your used trailer
Hyundai Rocks
Test drove NUMEROUS cars - Focus, Fusion, Sentra and Corolla among others, but none of them had the combo of price/features/quality of the Elantra. These things come loaded with every feature you'd want: AC, cruise, power everything. The interior is VERY spacious (this is a "compact?") the ride is quiet and smooth, the steering is quick and agile. For under 15k, no one can touch this. Even over 15k its very competetive. This is an outstanding buy and my second Hyundai purchase. Hyundai rocks and as long as it remains reliable I'm a Hyundai customer for life.
More than I expected
I recently purchased a 2006 Elantra GLS and I have to admit when I test drove it, I wasn't expecting much. What a surprise. This car has some muscle after all! Pickup is great. Comfort? Definitely. Plus, a smooth quiet ride. My only complaint was that the molding around the back door came loose, but is easily fixed by the dealer.
Toyota, Honda and Chevy Killer
I was on a budget with this car so did a ton of research. It really is true that there is no car out there on the market that you can get for the price of one of these with all of the features. It drives extremely smoothly at least up to 85 mph (haven't gone over that), better than my last car's v6 (1992 pont. grand am). Many hidden goodies too like rear cup holders that pop out of the seat, automatic lights off, adjustable lumbar support and heated mirrors to mention a few. I got the one with the moonroof/abs/traction control for a little above $14000--can't beat it. Buy one before the new elantra's come out, there will surely be a large price hike in the new ones with same features!
better than a corolla
I agree its not the best looking car but its worth all the money I paid for it. I have driven this car to Las Vegas many times, so yes its comfortable and I make it in less than a tank of gas. Everything on the car still works perfect. My car has 35,000 miles on it and I've had it for 3 yrs I just had to change the tires. I've had no problems with it. It runs and looks new. I also have a 2002 elantra that runs perfect I also bought that car new and I'm now handing it down to my sister cause her corolla already broke down 5 times and she just got it 2 yrs ago.
improved over my 2003
after my 2003 was wrecked - the drivers compartment was totally intact i wanted another one I was so pleased with my first. allthe little minor amnnoyances of my earlier car were fixed on the 2006> it's a dream car for a comute and my mileage is now 27 it used to be 24 on the '03.
My First New Car
In Nov of 2005, my used Subaru had reached its life expectancy. I could not afford an expensive vehicle so the Elantra was my choice after driving a couple other vehicles (Accent, Aveo, and a couple Suzuki's). I have to say this vehicle has been fantastic. I do a lot of highway driving and get about 32-34mpg regularly, best ever being 38mpg on a trip that I drove 60mph most of the way. My only part failures were the starter at about 45K and an axle seal at about 60K. Has almost 75k on it now and my only issue is warranty is going to be up before I pay it off.
From the cold alaska winter to florida.
In 05 I bought the car as my first new car. I was 19. Got married and husband got stationed in Alaska. So we took my car and his rsx to Alaska, we found out we were pregnant, this car lasted to and back from Alaska because Brandon was injured via I. E. D. And I moved back to Florida. When you take care of a car like this it will last you forever. We traded it in at the very end of 08 for a pathfinder which was nothing but problems so we got a 335i. One of the best little cars on the road. Brandon has the beamer and I have an 07 Civic. Not gonna lie. I kind of miss the elantra. Hopefully my little brother will get one in January when he turns 16 and he'll let me drive it I'm sure (:
My Third Hyundai
After owning an Accent, I moved up to an Elantra in 2003, and purchased my 206 Elantra as a new vehicle a few months ago. Great value for the money! Reliable, comfortable; back seat passengers find it comfortable, too.
Totally happy with my puchase
I got one of the last 06 Elantra's they had on the lot. I was looking for a deal, and boy did I get one. I;ve been looking at cars for the past few months, and I never found one that has the looks, features and pricing of the Elantra. It has great pick up, handles beautifully, and has a great warranty.
Brake Pad replacement
At 20,000 miles, after hearing a noise on the right front side of my car, I was told I needed to service my brakes. I have NEVER had a car that needed brakes with such low mileage. Now, at 40,000 miles, I was told I needed new brakes pads again. This time, I looked at them myself. The right front pad on the inside was completely worn. The right outside was half-way worn. The left front brake pads (inside and out)were hardly worn. It obviously has a problem! And the dealer tried telling me it's normal! I probably had a stuck caliper piston this whole time and they probably didn't fix it the first time! Besides, my caliper pins are missing!!!!
Great little car!
I used Edmonds to locate this car so thought I'd return the favor and write a review. If you're looking for a good reliable fuel efficient ride, this is it. I purchased this car a few months ago with 95K on the clock. I've just turned 106k and other than routine maintenance have had absolutely no trouble.
Blush still on the rose
I'm still trying to settle in. As a Dodge Ram driver who can no longer afford the gas to commute that way, the Elantra seems a bit on the low side with no place to put my jutting elbows. But the engine is responsive enough and doesn't intrude overmuch in the cabin. Pros: the controls are intelligently layed out and work well, the ride is less harsh than most small cars, and the heater/AC take very little time to get up to speed. Cons: I'm having a hard time finding a comfortable seat position, though I'm sure I'll eventually get there and and intermittant rattle in the dash is distracting.
For the Price Can't Beat It
Already have 4000 miles on it and only had it for 2 car payments. Great little car. Perfect for the commuter who drives a distance. Would recommend it to small familes and a first time driver. Never thought I would own a non-American car, but I am sold.
Best deal for the money
I'm extremely happy with my Elantra. So much that I'm considering getting another Hyundai. When I got it I compared it to all its competitors and the fact that A/C, power windows, power and heated mirrors and keyless entry come standard made it the best deal. Also - it comes with Michelin tires!
It's ok.
My husband I bought our Hyundai when our Pontiac died. After owning it for about six months now I would say that it's "ok". Not "great". Just "ok". We haven't had any problems with the engine, we did have a defective tire that went flat for no reason and was completely shredded inside. We have had to call the roadside service that comes with the car for them to jump the battery after we went on vacation for a week and left it at the airport. But other than minor things it's been alright. The price is great esp. considering what you get.
GREAT value and fun little zipper
I bought the Elantra because I am a big guy and needed a compact car that would fit my frame. The seating is great and with the 8 way adjustable seat I found it incredibly comfortable. I have driven it constantly since buying it, wearing it in and testing it in different situation. The power is there to pass and it is incredibly responsive making it fun to zip in an out of traffic. It looks sleak and had an incredible amount of standard features including cruise control, power windows/doors and remote keyless entry with alarm. All and all this is a great purchase and I would suggest it to anyone looking for a reaonably priced car with enough power and features to make it enjoyable.
06 Elantra
This is our 4th Hyundai. What can we say, we keep coming back! Our first was a 93 Excel, then an 01 Accent, and an 02 Elantra GT. We bought this car a few days ago for my husband and so far he loves it! We had a Forenza and the Elantra is way better. Good styling (a bit like my old Elantra), comfy seats, fun to drive. My Elantra had no problems, but the Accent had transmission problems (but it also got driven into the ground) so we aren't worried. Looking forward to many good years with this one. We paid 11,300, so can't complain. Oh, and by the way, there are rear cup holders! Just below the rear bench, in between, push in and they pop out!