Hyundai Elantra Model Years and History

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra hasn't changed much in 2026, but this year the SEL Convenience trim is replaced by the SEL Sport Premium trim in the lineup.

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra hasn't changed much in 2026, but this year the SEL Convenience trim is replaced by the SEL Sport Premium trim in the lineup.

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra introduces several trim updates, with the SEL becoming SEL Sport and the addition of a new Sport HEV trim.

The 2025 Hyundai Elantra introduces several trim updates, with the SEL becoming SEL Sport and the addition of a new Sport HEV trim.

The Hyundai Elantra gets a refreshed exterior and updates to the trim lineup for 2024.

The Hyundai Elantra gets a refreshed exterior and updates to the trim lineup for 2024.

The Hyundai Elantra carries over with minimal changes for 2023 although the manual transmission is only available on the N model.

The Hyundai Elantra carries over with minimal changes for 2023 although the manual transmission is only available on the N model.

After a complete redesign in 2021 the Hyundai Elantra carries over with minimal changes for 2022 although a new Elantra N has been added to the lineup.

After a complete redesign in 2021 the Hyundai Elantra carries over with minimal changes for 2022 although a new Elantra N has been added to the lineup.

After a complete redesign in 2021 the Hyundai Elantra carries over with minimal changes for 2022.

The Hyundai Elantra has been substantially updated for 2020. Standard safety equipment now includes forward-collision mitigation with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and driver-attention monitoring. The new Elantra also gains an upgraded CVT that Hyundai calls the Intelligent Variable Transmission. The automaker claims it improves efficiency up to 3 mpg.

The Hyundai Elantra has been substantially updated for 2019. The exterior styling is sharper and more modern than the 2018 version, and its design may even suggest the 2019 Elantra is more expensive than it is. An excellent set of standard equipment gives a strong value proposition.

Following a complete redesign for 2017, the Hyundai Elantra is largely unchanged for 2018, though a new SEL trim slots in between the base SE and mid-range Value model.

The Hyundai Elantra gets a complete redesign for 2017. The new car improves upon the old in nearly every way, offering better fuel economy, a more refined ride, a quieter interior and of course, bold new styling. What hasn't changed is that the Hyundai Elantra remains a stand out in its class, offering a superb balance between value pricing and high end features.

For 2016, Hyundai has added a Value Edition trim to the Elantra lineup. The new trim slots in just above the base SE and Hyundai claims it adds $1,000 in standard features for just $550 more than an SE equipped with the Popular Equipment Package. Elsewhere, the Elantra Limited now has push-button start and automatic dual climate control, while the Elantra Sport loses previously standard features, like leather seating (replaced by cloth) and a power sunroof. As a result, the Sport is now $1,350 less than its 2015 predecessor. Finally, the 5-door GT benefits from a subtle exterior upgrade, including a revised grille and new 17-inch wheels.

The Elantra carries over into 2015 with few changes. Several new colors are available and a few of the option packages available have been reshuffled. The Elantra Sport now comes with an optional Tech Package featuring a 7-inch touchscreen, a nicer stereo and Blue Link telematics. The Elantra SE meanwhile, is available with a new Style Package adding a sunroof, various trim pieces and nicer headlights. Last year's Technology Package is now several hundred dollars cheaper and has been renamed as the Ultimate Package.

In 2013, Hyundai added a 2-door coupe and 5-door hatchback GT to the Elantra sedan lineup. For 2014, all three models carry over, with some important changes. Coupes lose the option of a manual transmission, while sedan trims are reshuffled into SE, Sport and Limited. Big news is the addition of a new direct-injected 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, which comes standard in the Elantra coupe and GT, as well as the Sport trim sedan. The engine packs 173 horsepower and 154 ft-lb of torque -- big gains over the previous 1.8L's 148 hp and 131 ft-lb, which still power the SE and Limited sedans. EPA estimates for 2.0L models are 24 mpg in the city and between 33 and 35 mpg on the highway, depending on the model and transmission. Elsewhere, the sedan features mild exterior updates, including LED front accent lights and rear taillights in Sport and Limited trims, along with new wheel designs across the sedan trim range.

In 2013, Hyundai added a 2-door coupe and 5-door hatchback GT to the Elantra sedan lineup. For 2014, all three models carry over, with some important changes. Coupes lose the option of a manual transmission, while sedan trims are reshuffled into SE, Sport and Limited. Big news is the addition of a new direct-injected 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, which comes standard in the Elantra coupe and GT, as well as the Sport trim sedan. The engine packs 173 horsepower and 154 ft-lb of torque -- big gains over the previous 1.8L's 148 hp and 131 ft-lb, which still power the SE and Limited sedans. EPA estimates for 2.0L models are 24 mpg in the city and between 33 and 35 mpg on the highway, depending on the model and transmission. Elsewhere, the sedan features mild exterior updates, including LED front accent lights and rear taillights in Sport and Limited trims, along with new wheel designs across the sedan trim range.

The Hyundai Elantra was given a complete redesign in 2011 and reintroduced to the American market as a 4-door sedan. For 2013 Hyundai has expanded the Elantra lineup to include a coupe and a hatchback. The hatchback, dubbed Elantra GT, has five doors, while the coupe is a 2-door with a traditional trunk. The sedan also receives minor trim updates, bumping up equipment levels on the more economical trims.

The Hyundai Elantra was given a complete redesign in 2011 and reintroduced to the American market as a 4-door sedan. For 2013 Hyundai has expanded the Elantra lineup to include a coupe and a hatchback. The hatchback, dubbed Elantra GT, has five doors, while the coupe is a 2-door with a traditional trunk. The sedan also receives minor trim updates, bumping up equipment levels on the more economical trims.

Following a complete redesign in 2011, the Hyundai Elantra returns largely unchanged for 2012, save for several trim modifications. The base GLS model now has air conditioning, cruise control and a telescopic steering wheel all standard on automatic-equipped versions, and all optional with manual transmission. Navigation is no longer available on the GLS, but is still optional on the Limited.

The Elantra Touring wagon carries over into 2012 with almost no changes. The Preferred Package replaces the Popular Equipment Package. A roadside assistance kit is now optional and 16-inch alloy wheels have been added to the Preferred Package. Two new colors are available: Volcanic Red and Dove White.

The Elantra Touring wagon carries over into 2011 with almost no changes. The SE trim gets leather seating and two new colors are now available: Shimmering Silver and Regatta Blue Pearl.

The Hyundai Elantra has been completely redesigned for 2011. New sheet metal, a robust feature set and an excellent starting price mean Hyundai is making confident strides forward with the newest generation Elantra.

A new base Elantra Blue model joins the Elantra sedan lineup for 2010, offering a 2-mpg improvement in both city and highway driving. The rest of the lineup gets a 1-mpg improvement in fuel economy. All models now get USB, iPod and auxiliary audio inputs. The formerly base GLS model has been moved upscale somewhat and the former elements of the Popular Equipment Package have been made standard. All models now get the rear chrome garnish trim that was only seen on the SE model last year, the grille has been redesigned, and thoughout the line Elantra models with cloth seats get a new upholstery and a chrome finish for inside door handles. The former black and dark-gray 2-tone interior is replaced with a black-on-black theme. On the Elantra Touring wagon, a new lower-priced GLS model has been added alongside the SE; 15-inch steel wheels are newly standard and roof rails are now available. New colors include Carbon Gray Mist, Space Black and Polar White, replacing Carbon Gray, Black Pearl and Captiva White.

A new base Elantra Blue model joins the Elantra sedan lineup for 2010, offering a 2-mpg improvement in both city and highway driving. The rest of the lineup gets a 1-mpg improvement in fuel economy. All models now get USB, iPod and auxiliary audio inputs. The formerly base GLS model has been moved upscale somewhat and the former elements of the Popular Equipment Package have been made standard. All models now get the rear chrome garnish trim that was only seen on the SE model last year, the grille has been redesigned, and thoughout the line Elantra models with cloth seats get a new upholstery and a chrome finish for inside door handles. The former black and dark-gray 2-tone interior is replaced with a black-on-black theme. On the Elantra Touring wagon, a new lower-priced GLS model has been added alongside the SE; 15-inch steel wheels are newly standard and roof rails are now available. New colors include Carbon Gray Mist, Space Black and Polar White, replacing Carbon Gray, Black Pearl and Captiva White.

The big change in the Hyundai Elantra lineup for 2009 is the addition of the Touring model, a five-door hatchback. The new model shares much of its mechanical underpinnings with the sedan, but has a 2-inch longer wheelbase and is one inch shorter overall. It is powered by the same 2.0L four-cylinder engine found in the Elantra GLS and SE sedans, though output is increased to 141. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, while a four-speed automatic is optional. The new model boasts an impressive 65.3 cubic-feet of cargo volume, and starts at an MSRP of $17,800. Elsewhere in the Elantra range, GLS and SE cars get revised suspension and steering, while the SE includes stiffer springs for a sportier drive. XM satellite radio is now available on all models, and a USB/iPod jack will debut later in the model year.

Redesigned last year, the Hyundai Elantra has minimal changes for 2008. For safety, a tire pressure monitoring system now comes with all Elantras, while the SE trim receives electronic stability control with traction control and brake assist. In addition, the SE now includes metallic interior accents and visor extensions.

The Hyundai Elantra has been completely redesigned for 2007, with a much roomier, interior; yet it's only slightly higher and wider overall. Although the previous version was available as either a hatchback or sedan, the new version comes only as a sedan. The interior has been significantly upgraded; for the first time, heated seats are available, and Elantra can be equipped with steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls. Elantra has always offered a generous level of standard features; and that list expands this year to include full-length side curtain air bags and anti-lock brakes. XM satellite radio was made standard on all but the GLS Elantras halfway through the model year. There's also a new PZEV (partial zero emissions vehicle) version of the Elantra available in some states, which makes the Elantra one of the cleanest (or greenest) new cars.