2020 Hyundai Elantra

2020 Hyundai Elantra Overview

Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra a Good Used Car?

Yes, the 2020 Elantra is a good used car. It gets good gas mileage and has a comfortable ride. There’s a good amount of passenger and cargo space for a compact car , and the cabin is fairly nice. The infotainment system is easy to use, and there are plenty of available features.

Why You Can Trust Us

To give you a complete overview of the 2020 Elantra – and make your car-shopping experience easier – we analyzed 40 Hyundai Elantra reviews alongside performance specs, reliability and safety scores, and more.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our crew has more than 75 years of combined experience in the auto industry. To ensure our objectivity, we do not accept expensive gifts from carmakers, and an external company manages the ads on our site.

Pricing

How Much is a 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

Based on listings for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, the average list price is $16,257. Prices range from $15,453 to $20,983 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.

See the Best Used Car Deals »

How Much Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Cost to Own?

The 2020 Elantra’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be about $27,250, or $5,450 per year. These ownership costs are about average for the class.

2019 vs. 2020 Hyundai Elantra: What's the Difference?

The 2020 Elantra saw a few powertrain-related changes. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) became standard, and the manual transmission stopped being offered in sedan models. The 2020 Elantra also gained new standard driver assistance features, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking.

Compare the 2019 and 2020 Elantra »

Here are the key changes for the Hyundai Elantra over the last few years:

• 2017: fully redesigned sedan with nicer cabin materials, more fuel-efficient engine options, and added safety features like forward collision warning and blind spot monitoring; Android Auto and Apple CarPlay became available
• 2018: Elantra GT hatchback redesigned; some feature shuffling between trims
• 2019: refreshed with updated styling; gained new standard and available features
• 2020: CVT made standard with base engine; manual transmission discontinued in sedan models; more standard features, including dual-zone automatic climate control; final model year before full redesign

If you're considering an older model, be sure to read our 2017 Elantra , 2018 Elantra , and 2019 Elantra reviews to help make your decision. You can learn about savings and discounts on used vehicles on our Best Used Car Deals page. Also, check out our review of the new Hyundai Elantra , and take a look at our Best New Car Deals and Best New Car Lease Deals pages to see how much you can save on a new vehicle.

How Reliable Is the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has a predicted reliability score of 87 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Read more about Elantra reliability »

2020 Hyundai Elantra Recalls

There are no major recalls for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra at this time.

See more information on Hyundai Elantra safety recalls »

Which Used Hyundai Elantra Trim Is Right for Me?

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra sedan comes in six trims: SE, SEL, Value Edition, Limited, Eco, and Sport. The GT hatchback comes in two trim levels: base and N-Line.

The SE, SEL, Value Edition, and Limited come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, as well as a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Eco trim swaps that powertrain for a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Elantra Sport models also have a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, but it’s paired with a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine.

The Elantra GT hatchback has a six-speed automatic transmission and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while N-Line models have the same engine as the Elantra Sport. The N-Line comes with a six-speed manual transmission, and a seven-speed automatic is available.

The well-equipped base model is a good choice, though shoppers after more safety features should look to the SEL trim. Those seeking more power may want to consider the Sport trim.

• Hyundai Elantra SE: The base Elantra SE comes with a 5-inch infotainment display, a six-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, a USB port, cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a rearview camera, a driver attention monitor, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and forward collision warning.
• Hyundai Elantra SEL: The SEL trim adds a 7-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, blind spot warning and detection, rear cross traffic alert, and lane departure warning.
• Hyundai Elantra Value Edition: The Elantra Value Edition gains a sunroof, proximity keyless entry, heated front seats, rear-seat cup holders, and Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system.
• Hyundai Elantra Eco: The Hyundai Elantra Eco features most of the same equipment as the Value Edition and also comes with a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and low-rolling resistance tires. All of these are designed to boost fuel economy. The Eco trim loses the sunroof, but it gains a second USB port.
• Hyundai Elantra Limited: The Limited features the 2.0-liter engine and the CVT. It gains wireless device charging, an eight-speaker Infinity sound system, and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Otherwise, it has the same options as the Sport (listed below), as well as pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control.
• Hyundai Elantra Sport: The Elantra Sport comes with the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. It also features a sunroof, automatic high-beam headlights, and leather upholstery.
• Hyundai Elantra GT: The GT trim has a similar equipment list to the base SE but with an 8-inch touch screen instead of the 5-inch display. The GT N-Line is equipped similarly to the Elantra Sport.

See 2020 Hyundai Elantra trims and specs »

What Does Hyundai's Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Cover?

Hyundai offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles five years old or less and with fewer than 60,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. Certified pre-owned Hyundai vehicles receive the balance of the original new-car 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, as well as the remainder of the five-year/60,000-mile comprehensive warranty. Hyundai CPO vehicles must pass a 173-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing, roadside assistance, and rental car reimbursement may be available. 

Hyundai has one of the better CPO programs among affordable car manufacturers, according to our analysis. Still, automakers like Kia, Mini and Honda have better programs.

See the best CPO programs »

Extended Warranties for Hyundai Cars and SUVs

Not every used Hyundai will qualify for a certified pre-owned warranty. However, there are options available if you want additional coverage after the manufacturer’s warranty has expired. 

Read more about extended car warranties »

2020 Hyundai Elantra Safety

Score: 9.2/10

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2020 Hyundai Elantra the highest rating of Good in all six crash tests. Elantra models with LED headlights received the highest rating of Good for how well the headlights illuminate the road ahead, while models with halogen headlights received the lowest rating of Poor.

The IIHS uses a different scale for grading collision avoidance features. The Elantra earned the highest rating of Superior for its optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, while the optional vehicle-to-pedestrian system received the midtier rating of Advanced. Elantra models with LED headlights and the optional vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system were awarded a Top Safety Pick designation by the IIHS.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Elantra an overall safety rating of four out of five stars, with four stars in the frontal crash, side crash, and rollover tests.

Standard driver assistance features:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Rearview camera
• Lane keep assist

Available driver assistance features:

• Blind spot monitoring
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Adaptive cruise control

2020 Hyundai Elantra Versus the Competition

2020 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2020 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is one of our highest-rated compact cars . It comes in three body styles: sedan, coupe, and hatchback. Both of these small cars get similar fuel economy ratings, but the Civic’s energetic engines and enjoyable handling make it more fun to drive than the Elantra. The Civic has more standard safety features and a nicer cabin as well.

Compare the Elantra and Civic »

2020 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2020 Hyundai Veloster

The Hyundai Veloster sits close to the Elantra in our rankings. This hatchback has a somewhat unusual three-door setup, with one door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger side, including a rear-hinged rear door that provides access to the back seats. Additionally, this hatchback only seats four people compared to the Elantra’s five (plus the Elantra offers a sedan body style), but the Veloster has more standard features and nimbler handling. The Veloster comes with the same engine options as the Elantra, but a more potent turbocharged 275-horsepower engine is available.

Compare the Elantra and Veloster »

Compare the Elantra, Civic, and Veloster »

2020 Elantra Performance

How Does the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Drive?

None of the Elantra’s engines are particularly exciting. The base four-cylinder gets the job done, but acceleration is lacking at highway speeds. The optional turbocharged engines feel more energetic, but they still don’t move this Hyundai with much urgency.

The Elantra rides smoothly over most road surfaces. Its accurate steering makes it easy to drive, and while this isn’t the most athletic car in the class, it has poised handling.

• Base engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque
• Available engines:
  • 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque (GT)
  • turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with 128 horsepower and 156 pound-feet of torque (Eco)
  • turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque (Sport and N-Line)
• Drivetrain: front-wheel drive
• Transmission: standard continuously variable automatic (CVT) with base engine, six-speed automatic with 161-horsepower engine, and seven-speed automatic with the turbo-fours; available six-speed manual with 201-horsepower engine

2020 Hyundai Elantra Gas Mileage

The Elantra gets better gas mileage than many class rivals, though some models are more fuel-efficient than others. The GT hatchback gets worse mpg ratings than the base model, as do the more powerful Sport and N-Line models.

• 147-horsepower: 31/41 mpg city/highway
• 161-horsepower: 25/32 mpg
• 128-horsepower: 33/41 mpg
• 201-horsepower: 26/33 mpg

Read more about Elantra performance »

2020 Elantra Interior

2020 Elantra Interior Quality

This isn’t the most upscale car in the class, but the Elantra’s interior is nice. It looks good, and while there are the hard plastics you expect from cars in this class, there are also some soft-touch materials.

How Many People Does the 2020 Elantra Seat?

The 2020 Elantra seats five people in two rows. The seats are comfortable and remain supportive even on longer drives. Both rows provide ample legroom for adult occupants. Headroom is OK, but taller folks will want more.

Standard seating features:

• Cloth upholstery

Available seating features:

• Leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable driver’s seat

How Many Child Car Seats Fit in the 2020 Hyundai Elantra?

For securing child safety seats, this vehicle has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors for the rear outboard seats and an upper tether for the rear middle seat. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave this setup the second-best rating of Acceptable for ease of use.

2020 Hyundai Elantra Features

The Elantra has a user-friendly infotainment system. It comes standard with a small display, and there are plenty of physical controls that are within easy reach of the driver. The available touch screens are responsive and have convenient menu layouts.

• Standard infotainment features: a 5-inch display, a USB port, Bluetooth, and a six-speaker stereo
• Available infotainment features : a 7-inch or an 8-inch touch screen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, navigation, wireless device charging, satellite radio, HD Radio, an eight-speaker Infinity premium stereo, Clari-Fi music restoration technology, two more USB ports, and the Blue Link telematics system
• Additional standard features: dual-zone automatic climate control

See 2020 Hyundai Elantra specs »

Read more about Elantra interior »

2020 Hyundai Elantra Dimensions

Hyundai Elantra Cargo Space

The Elantra sedan has a large trunk for a compact car , checking in at 14.4 cubic feet. The GT hatchback has 24.9 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 55.1 cubic feet with them folded down.

Hyundai Elantra Length and Weight

• Length: 14 feet, 2 inches to 15 feet, 2 inches
• Curb weight: 2,844 to 3,155 pounds

Where Was the 2020 Hyundai Elantra Built?

Hyundai built the 2020 Elantra in Alabama and South Korea.