Used 2009 Hyundai Elantra Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Great car after 3+ years
I bought this new for under $15k, and am delighted with the features, low cost of ownership, and overall quality of the car. I love the problem-free driving, nicely peppy engine, comfort and interior space (I am 6'5"). The car still looks new inside and out. I have had a few small issues as follows: *Driver's seat makes a clicking sound in the lowest position *Rear window sometimes made a crackling/popping sound when going over laterally uneven ground, but this went away last year after I put some product on the weatherstripping *Driver's side window made a popping sound when rolled down--it was sticking to the stripping. Silicon lube fixed it Otherwise the car has required zero repairs.
I replaced a Saab with this and I won't be looking back
I needed something cheap, practical, and reliable and I got it. This car has two dominant personalities. The first is a sensible car for the average adult. Gas economy is on par with 2009, the ride quality is exceptionally smooth for a compact, and the cabin is quiet and spacious in town and on the freeway. However, under the surface the 2009 Elantra is one of the funnest rides you can get for an MSRP under $20,000. I would compare it to a go cart. It's nimble, quick, and firmly planted. Unlike the 2011 Elantra, the steering is connected, responsive, and no matter how you drive it, she wants more. Give it an honest test drive, because you have to drive it to experience it.
LOVE my car
This makes the 2nd Elantra I have owned, & don't think I would own any other vehicle. Mine has 72,000 miles on it & other than replacing both fog lights (due to driving in snow & on salted roadways), I haven't touched it for anything other than tires, brakes, air filter, & the other routine maintenance that is suggested in the manual. I get EXCELLENT gas mileage--with a combo of city & hwy miles I get at least 32 mpg with every tank. It drives smooth, & it fires right up in cold weather. Roomy interior, lots of nooks & crannys for storage, & an awesome factory stereo system are just some of the plusses on the inside. I would recommend this car to anyone who needs a good car for less $$$
Are we all driving the same car?
I swear some of the reviews are on different vehicles. My carpet fits, radio works, the engine runs well, the car handles well, and it's relatively quiet at all speeds, gets 34 mpg on Xway (28-29 in town) as advertised. I have had no problems whatever with only routine maintenance. The OEM tires aren't great in snow, but here's a tip folks - it's the tires.. not the car. I had this problem in spades on a Maxima years ago. Buy some others if you ain't happy. You'd be amazed at the difference tires can make. Not sure what people expect, but this car meets or beats the competition at a lower price. It's comfortable, roomy and comes with a superior warranty. What more can you expect?
Great purchase, superior in many ways
I bought my Elantra just a couple of weeks ago and I am so happy with it. I did have an extended search and compared it with other cars like Honda Civic, Fit and Toyota Corolla, and my Elantra has everything I need, nothing to envy the competitors. Great look, smooth ride, the hp 138 gives great torque enhancing performance, very spacious inside, not feeling like driving in a "can" as I was feeling in others. Interior design is superior definitely, plenty of storage in easy to reach places. Blue tooth, ipod, satellite radio, what else do you need? Prior reviews on the '08 about safety speak for themselves, and this one has 5 star crash rating... Oh, of course, great gas mileage 33-35 mpg...
Competent Commuter Except in Snow
I bought this car new in July 2009 for my daily commute and to run kids around town for music lessons, sports, you name it. The positive reviews, incredibly low price, and long warranty make this basic piece of transportation ideal for my needs now. MPG varies from 28-33 combined depending on the weather, really expected much better. It took a long time to get adjusted to the clunky, sticky manual transmission; nothing like the Mercedes 230 or VW Golf sticks I used to drive. I tried to find an American brand vehicle of similar cost and quality but nothing came close.
Perfect Car!
This has been a perfect car. Never been to the mechanics, never left me stranded. Awesome gas mileage, great in the snow. Nothing fancy but has been perfect.
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Electrical problems 2009 Elantra hyundai
This problem has happened a number of times with my car a 2009 Elantra Hyundai, he unlocks it, gets in, puts the key in, turns the ignition and it won't start. There is no connection with the engine, it just clicks. And when this does happen, the steering wheel is locked up solid. This is very scary part, what happens when the engine dies out? The steering wheel is completely locked. This is a very serious safety issue. Some times he has waited and unlocked and locked his doors a couple times and then it magically starts - there seems to be no rhyme or reason for when this happens. We had the problem about a 3 years ago and then it stopped so we never took it in but the problem is back and it is annoying as hell. The first time we were going to jump it and he tried to start it one more time and it started so we didn't jump it. It does not appear to be the battery but some kind of connection in the electrical system. I have taken my car to number of mechanic garages. Nobody can figure this problem out, other than says it's in the software programming system a problem? Update: the problem is coming from the remote fob. I have been locking and unlocking my doors manually by using my key. I have not used my remote fob for a year now. Ever since then, I have not had any trouble with my car not starting being stranded somewhere. It's crappy you can't use your remote Fob!
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Know what you are getting.
The AC is inadequate. On 95 degree days, it is still warm in the car. This is a common problem for Hyundai. I had to have the windows tinted to help. I was in a head on accident and the air bags didn't go off. Another common problem for Hyundai. I'm waiting for a recall announcement. The idiot lights come on sporadically (ESC,ABS,TPMS). The longest one has stayed on was over an hour. I don't know if the ABS and ESC are working. Another common problem for Hyundai. The car has over 50K miles on it and we have not had any problems with it not running or starting. We get about 25 miles to the gallon but do mostly city driving.
So so car, don't expect much
The only reason I've gotten this vehicle is because my wife trashed our 2007 Toyota Camry SE-V6. Can't afford the same level of car so we settled on Hyundai Elantra, 09, brand new at the time. Now, fast forward 70K miles and here are my reviews: The transmission starts to rattle a bit now as shifting up can be adventurous at times. Keep in mind I take care of my religiously so it's not a matter of not maintaining it. Electrical problems starting to surface. TPMS will show up for no reason. Overall drive is stoic but comfy. Performance is ok (typically for a small sedan, don't expect much.) You get what you pay for, don't be fool by the marketing, adequate car but Civic it isn't.
Exactly As Advertised
My daughter has been looking for a car for a while and I decided to assist her. After looking at various options (mainly through other reviewers such as here), I started focusing on the Elantra. Because I am concerned for my daughter's safety, I decided to focus on the SE model, which also has traction control and stability control. The next step was to find one that was economical but had relatively few miles on it. I found a used 2009 SE with about 9k miles on it and bought it for 13k. After using it for about a month, we are very pleased with the car. It is exactly as advertised: a well built car with many important safety features that doesn't cost an absurd amount of money.
2009 Hyundai Elantra Review
2nd hyundai! Been highly impressed by both cars! Had for 2 years just traded it in for the new 2011 elantra ltd. Been a pleasure to drive and own! Very impressed with the gas mileage. Best mpg at 39.7 mpg based on filling up the car and doing the math on a calculator this was in NYC traffic 90%hwy and 10%city. Average mpg I receive when i do about 50/50 driving was 28 mpg still pretty impressive since I am not light footed. Pros: Performance, MPG, Price, Radio, USB, Blue Lights, tons of features, interior space, many storage comp'ts, quiet interior, Cons: Whine from radio (most wont hear), loud rattle from rear window hitting large bumps Best bang for the buck!
260K miles on original engine and transmission
Bought this car off my mom when I needed a car quickly and didn't want to spend the time searching for one (2016). I got the car from her with 180k and I put on 80k in roughly 3 and a half years. She bought it used from a dealer, where the original use was as a rental car. For a car not known to be comparable to Honda or Toyota in terms of its reliability, I have been surprised to see this car still going strong. All hasn't been great, the Aux port has failed on me recently but it wasn't hard or expensive to get the part and fix it myself. Had to replace a wheel bearing about a year ago and the parking brake serves no purpose other than feeding my habit of pulling the parking brake from when I drove a manual. Lastly, check engine light came on a couple months ago but I haven't looked into it because I will just buy another car before I have to do any state inspection and I suspect its just an O2 sensor gone bad. So in summary, I would recommend getting this car used even if it has more miles on if you can verify it has been meeting regular maintenance. The main components (engine/ transmission) seem to be reliable, smaller lesser components may give out depending on wear.
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Great car just no power at all
I love the car gas is great just has no power like when i go to Tahoe i really have to get all the way in the slow lane and go like 50MPH in the slow lane it's horrible.......
A great value for the money
We live in a very hilly region of Western New York State. Economy cars we have owned would always struggle on the hills. The air conditioner would need to be turned off. The Elantra moves smartly up the hills without a struggle and we remain cool. A test drive with the Toyota Corrola showed a lack of power, the Honda Civic on hills was ok, but the dash arrangement was a bit too hokey and the cabin cramped. The Elantras clean no- gimmick controls and dash were much more user friendly than the competition. The handling of the Elantra is crisp and the SE's ESC has allowed me to avoid a collision with a deer while moving 55-60 mph. Any other non-ESC car would have been in the collision shop.
21,000 miles later
2009 Elantra SE, only defect was the radio and one speaker not working after 21,000 miles. Surprised to read about suspension problems. The ride seems very good considering the type of car. The seat covering could be better, attracts dirt. The steering is quick, have to keep your mind on the road. Handles Arizona bumps and potholes fairly well. It is my everyday work car and have been pleased. Second Elantra, I will hold it for 5 years and trade it in. Lots of plastic, holds the weight cost down. I get 28 mpg in city over 30 on highway depending on how fast I go. I believe it is the best value on the market.
Great looking, fun car to drive
I bought a GL model (Canada) based on all the positive expert and owner reviews I read about it, including its above-average warranty and great price. I've had it for just under a month and so far I haven't been disappointed. I'm especially impressed with the interior room. I'm 6-feet, 250 pounds and the head and leg room in both the front and rear seats is excellent. I find the seats very comfortable. The dashboard layout is well thought out and convenient (stereo, storage compartments). I've read negative reviews about engine power, but it's plenty for me. Overall, it's a great looking, comfortable, fun car to drive.
General electrical system problems.
We have owned 2 Hyunda's previously and were very pleased with with both cars. Excelent reliability and performance. Then we bought this 2009 elantra (brand new) and have been very disappointed. While the car always starts fine, runs great and gets great gas mileage it is plagued with bull crap electrical problems. 1. Check engine light keeps coming on. Had it in for this several times. Dealer can't or won't fix it. 2. Tire pressure light kept coming on. They seemed to fix that, so far. 3. The theft alarm keeps randomly coming on. Just did it again this morning. Multiple trips to dealer, no fix. 4. Winshield washer quit. Tank full, pump runs, no water. Will take it back in again.
2009 Elantra
Fun Car to Drive, Smooth Ride, Comfortable Seats, Spacious for a small car, Great Sound System
Solid safe reliable transportation
We have owned our 2009 Elantra for about a year and have found it to be a very solid, comfortable, reliable car. The exterior styling and performance are on the boring side but the features for the price paid more than compensate for these shortcomings.
Not too shabby
Bought the car in Aug. 2009 and have had incredible fuel mileage from the beginning. I am surprised to see people putting numbers below 30 mpg. I haven't gotten anything below 32 mpg. I got 36 my last fill up. I commute 70 miles a day driving around 55 mph most the way. This car is great for that (commuting).
I Love My Hyundai Elantra!
I bought my 2009 elantra as a used vehicle. It has turned out to be one of the best cars, and is the most fun to drive of most of the cars I have owned, previously I have owned Mercedes c2330, e500, and s500, navigator ultimate, 3 Chevy trailblazer ext lt's, etc., so I am giving you my opinion after driving quite a few high end cars. I'm wondering now why I spent all that money on those cars, when I could have just bought an elantra... I love the sun roof, XM radio, the fact I can use my ipod, the cd/stereo sounds awesome, and I love the color (White) it is sporty, I get lots of compliments on it and the value is unbelievable along with the gas mileage, about 31 mpg.. The warranty is also great
wouldnt recommend to anyone
very unhappy with the car, haven't even had it 2 years yet and I'm having problems, luckily nothing with the engine, it all seems to be electrical or interior problems except for the awful noise that my back window makes when I go over bumps, it makes this loud cracking noise like the window is going to fall out. Also you can tell the interior is cheap plastic because while driving all I hear is rattling, like something is loose in the dash. I will be getting rid of the car ASAP. Also had a brand new 2008 Accent before this car and had engine problems and brought it back within 8 months of purchase.
Value?
Bought this car new last year. Performance and ride so poor we wanted to trade it off after one long miserable year. Car rides rough and loud, poor mileage and issues with the locks and electrical problems. Value is less than 1/2 what we paid after one year. We have taken excellent care and maintenance. I would NOT recommend this product to anyone. I have made contact with the dealership but little response to issues. "if the car engine light is not on it's ok". I don't think so. Value, there is NOT any in this car.
Wheel Wells Broken
I have 4,000 Kms on my new Hyundai and the wheel wells have cracked and are broken in the front driver's side and in the rear - both sides! Hyundai Canada will not consider this a warranty issue and will not honor repairing the car. The car was driven on gravel roads at temps or - 35 degrees. If the car should not be driven on gravel roads, that means the car cannot drive on 77% of the roads in Alberta!!!!! If this is what I have in two months driving how is the car going to look in two years? JD Powers are completely wrong with this vehicle. Will never buy another Hyundai.
Beware
When I took the car in to the dealer at 2600 (yes 2600)miles to check an engine noise. I was told the engine was bad and would be replaced. They used a REMANUFACTURED engine short block. I talked to 4 levels of Hyundai consumer affairs and was told this is routine. So a used engine in my brand new car. The warranty isn't worth much if they use used parts.
Better Car
This vehicle is 100% solid. I have owned Toyota, Honda, Chevy, and Saturn. This vehicle is just as solid and well built if not better built than all other vehicles on the road. INCLUDING HONDA OR TOYOTA. Yes believe it or not. And there warranty program is the BEST in the nation. THIS IS A WONDERFUL VEHICLE
Great Car
We really enjoy driving our GLS with sunroof and XM. Smooth, quiet and refined. Seats are firm but comfortable. Dash is attractive and well laid out. Controls are easy to use. Sound system excellent. Peppy engine growls only when pushed, but this car is more of easy going car than a sports machine. Price was certainly right considering quality, included features and the warranty. Notice there are some exceptions in the fine print on the 60K, 5 year guarantee. Cash for clunkers really sealed the deal for us. Looking forward to many years of service.
Hyundai - Are you kidding? No I'm not!!
Bought the Elantra SE because I had a budget and needed to stick to it. Requirements were good gas mileage, antilock brakes, airbags, and traction/stability control. Comparable Civic and Corolla were $4K and $5K more, even with cash for clunkers. Took the vehicle on an 1152 mile jaunt to Bar Harbor and back and averaged 31.2 mpg in all types of driving. Plus, I crammed 3 young kids and the wife in the car and a weeks worth of clothes and supplies. The Elantra performed admirably. Not extremely exciting, but a steady performer, fit and finish was perfect, seats were comfortable and ride was smooth. The engine was a little course when acceleration was needed, but overall a great car.
Wow - all for $17k!!!
I was forced to buy another Elantra after hydro-planing mine into the guardrail on I-70 at 60mph. My 2004 absorbed the accident perfectly and I was thrilled how it did. So, I went to Hyundai and they have improved everything on this newer model and after 700 miles I love the new car
2 more inches of rear seat room
this car would basically be perfect just shrink the trunk like two inches and add like two more inches too the rear seat and you have the perfect car
Not disappointed
I purchased the top of the line Elantra (in Canada-limited edition) because of the ESC feature- but decided that the leather seats and sunroof and automatic climate control might be nice to have. I have thoroughly enjoyed the car so far- it drives beautifully and quietly and is responsive and roomy and very comfortable for driver and front seat passenger- no experience yet with someone in the back seat. The interior finish is first class and the layout of the dashboard and all features are consistent with a much higher priced vehicle. I checked out the competition- Corolla, Civic, Mazda3, Ford Focus and found the Elantra a better deal for the money and the 5 year/100,000 warranty is a plus.
In general a great car.
I give high rating because I only compare this to other makes in the same class, meaning hyundai can still build a better Elantra. 7 for Build Quality is because a window came off from its track only 2 weeks after I got it. Otherwise it would be a 9. Very roomy for a small car, pickup is good, seat is comfortable. Everything just looks right and better when comparing to civic, corolla, or sentra. Like my friend says, it looks more expensive than its price. They say tinted windows on the website, but can't see how it was tinted.
Love my Hyundai
After visiting local dealerships-who quoted sticker prices only-less trade or rebate. Sought an out of state dealer who quoted in writing exact price Edmunds said you should pay-saved $5000- persistence pays. Considered Honda Fit and Civic and Nissan Sentra but Hyundai was much less with more features and much better warranty. Have not had a sedan in awhile-fairly fun to drive. Great mileage so far running @34 average with mostly city.
Great car for a great price
My wife and I test drove pretty much every competitive small sedan. We finally came between the Kia Forte EX and the Elantra SE and went with the car we could get at the lowest price. They are identical in all features, but the Hyundai has larger alloy wheels and thus has a smoother ride. We purchased a black pearl SE manual with bluetooth and paid $14,100 walk out (not including cash for clunkers). Couldn't get Kia to get anywhere close. The Elantra SE is a perfect fit for us and has every feature we wanted. Bluetooth, cruise, steering wheel audio controls, sporty exterior, etc. For the price, nothing can beat it. #1 small sedan according to Consumer Report new car guide and it shows.
SE is fantastic value for the price
This is yet another happy Cash For Clunkers story. My trusty '06 Accord lease was ending and I happen to have an F-150 I was holding on to. I got an early '09 (no USB - just AUX) with BlueTooth option and walked out the door paying just under $10,500 TOTAL (taxes included!). The great deals are available because, even though this car is highly rated, Hyundai's are just not coveted like Honda and Toyota are - yet. Build quality is excellent and interior is nicely laid out. I got the manual, which is similar to German gear layouts with a unique reverse lock-out feature as well.
Best Car at its Price
The dealer was wonderful. Got a very good price for the vehicle. The vehicle it self is excellent for me, a single male living on my own. It gets around town very well, the freeway drive is comfortable. The audio sounds good, and AC cools well. The steering wheel is a little touchy, but that could be me who use to own a 96 Mercury. The brakes are great, and the layout of the interior is excellent. Overall this vehicle was the best value out there... Hyundai has awesome rebates, check your local dealer. Going one on one with Honda, this car offers the same as a honda that cost 1500-2000 more.
So far so good
Bought my Hyundai Elantra 2009. I had to convince my wife, who is a loyal Toyota driver, that at 15K - 16K Hyundai Elantra is the best deal over against any Corolla we can buy. So far I haven't regret it and my wife likes it. The engine is adequate, I mean who buys an Elantra to floor-it anyway? It is surprisingly comfortable and handling is surprisingly adequate (mind you I am used to driving Honda Civic myself.) Rear seat is small but trunk space is adequate. I have to say, at the price for VSC, ESP, ABS, XM (3 months), BlueTooth, MP3, and IPod player this car is the best bang for the buck. Of course you will take a hit at resale so keep that in mind. We like to drive them to death
exceeded my expectations
Drove to southern Indiana from no. Ill. The week of purchase. The car is better than I hoped. Got 34 mpg on the way home. Car is quiet, smooth, and handles well. Was considering a Toyota; but I believe I got more bang for my buck on the elantra. Satellite radio is great. We, re taking the elantra to no. Wisc. Next week. Out Camry is staying in the garage. I would recommend this car for anyone on a budget. Djj.
fun to drive
I sold my 2006 Hyundai Sonata to a friend and decided to give the Elantra a try. I purchased in mid June 09 and after 6 weeks and 1100 miles I thought it time to do a review. The car is very quiet and comparable to my 2006 Sonata in road noise. I average about 30 to 31 mpg with about 60/40 Highway to city driving ratio. The handling and responsiveness is very good and what I expected. The car is very fun to drive and while it does not have the 6 cylinder engine of the Sonata I am more than satisfied with the acceleration. I drive mostly in the Urban Dallas/Ft Worth area during nonrush hour times. I have not taken it on a road trip yet. It is early for my assessment, but I am satisfied
I Am Impressed
My wife and I purchased the Elantra out of desperation because it was the last day of the Clunkers program, most dealers in our area had already stopped accepting trade-ins and our 89 BMW 735i was falling apart We test drove the Jetta, Civic, Sentra and Corolla but purchased the Elantra blindly because we really had no other choice as all dealer's inventories were fully depleted. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE THE ELANTRA HAS BEEN! The car is solid. The ride, instrumentation, handling, braking, feel etc. are all terrific. I had and image in my mind of Hyundai's being cheap and raggedy, boy was I wrong. We live Chicago, the Pothole Capital of the World and this car easily holds it's own.
Good Choice
Had the car for 3 weeks now and am pleased with it. I never considered buying a Elantra, but friends of ours has 2 and love them. I wanted a car that's reliable, safe, good mpg,comfortable and affordable-the Elantra was it! No other car maker came close with the same options & price plus warranty. It's not sporty or a head turner,but for me that's ok.
It gets the job done.
Sure its not as sporty as Mazda3, nor as popular as Civic or Corolla (watch it though), but my Elantra gets the job done of driving to work and home along I80 just fine with enough bells and whistles especially safety features as standard equipment. Not to mention its superb warranty. MPG 34+ on the highway @ cruising speed. Most of all the big savings at the dealership.
Nice Discovery
Was going to buy a Corolla on the C4C program, but a friend who works at CarMax recommended I give Hyundai a look. With the C4C, the $2K mfg incentive and some negotiating, was out for under 14G, incl tax. Very comfortable, smooth and quiet ride for a compact
No Regrets
Purchased the car with Cash for Clunkers and got it for just under $10K. Considered Honda, Toyota, Mazda and Dodge but happy I settled with Elantra. Taken one long trip and averaged 36 mpg. The ride is quite and comfortable with an interior space that lets you hear music at a reasonable volume with a stereo system much better than what you would expect in this class. The seats are excellent for not being adjustable. I have a combat injury to my back and was quite surprised at the seat support comfort on a long trip. I have owned two Honda Civics and consider this vehicle a much better value especially when comparing the warranty coverage. Hyundai has come a long way, baby!
The Hyundai that can
After owning a lemon-like 2001 Kia Rio with my wife for 7 years, it was time for a new car. Living in the city, we needed an affordable, not too big car, that offered lots comfortable options. The Hyundai Elantra met those criteria. Our salesman showed us a GLS model with the option package, XM Radio, Cruise, Anti-Lock Brakes and a Sun Roof. Sans Alloy wheels and nifty bluetooth feature of the SE, it was still a remarkably refined and comfortable compact with a smooth and definite road presence on 15 inch steel wheels. 138 HP 2.0 pumps solid life into the car and sitting in the soft cloth seats moving down a rough road, you feel safe and comfortable. Hyundai is making a great car.
Great Little Sedan
Open your mind and make sure you test drive a new Elantra if you are in the market for a compact car - like me, you may be pleasantly surprised at what you find. AMAZING value. Lots of room in the quiet, comfortable, well thought out interior. Predictable handling, confident braking, and more than adequate power and torque with the automatic. Unlike almost every other car I've purchased my Elantra is rock solid and doesn't have a single buzz, rattle, or assembly flaw. I came close to buying a Honda Fit before I decided to check out the Elantra and I'm so glad I did... this car is a keeper.
What a buy !
Excellent car. Thoughtfully engineered, first-rate build quality, very nicely equipped. But the warranty and the five years free roadside assistance closed the deal, not to mention the great price.
Very impressed
I have only had this vehicle since end of July 2009 and must say that I am quite happy with it so far. It is the GL w/ the sport package(rear spoiler, 16 " alum. wheels, fog lights and skirt package. It really makes the car stand out beside a regular elantra. My only complaint is the rear trunk lid has developed a very annoying rattle, dealer says it may be the spare tire tools and jack. Otherwise, it is a great little car. Great on gas, fit and finish is good, and it handles quite nicely. Anyone considering a Toyota Corola, or Honda Civic should look at this vehicle before they buy...
Best cheap vehicle.
Fairly satisfied with the purchase. Under 17K for SE with ESC, monroof and heated seats. Comparably equipped Civic was about 4K more. Front interior space is hindered by curve of dash. Late 09 models removed the Coolant temp and made the gas gauge as big as the Tach. Ridiculous. Can get 25+ mpg in 100 city driving and 31+ on the highway.