How Long Do Hyundai Elantras Last?

Did you know that the hybrid variant of the Hyundai Elantra is as efficient as good as the Toyota Prius in terms of fuel economy?

That is indeed true, and Hyundai is doing wonders with this car.

Now, I know that simply saying that the Elantra is a good vehicle is not enough, which is why this article will be discussing the question of how long do Hyundai Elantras last and if they are worth it.

To answer this specific question, the car is expected to last anywhere from 200000 to 250000 miles, which is average for vehicles of this class.

There is much more to this article other than simply stating some numbers. So, I suggest strapping in for the ride because it is going to get really interesting.

So, without any further ado, let’s get straight into it!

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Hyundai Elantra?

As I did state in the introduction, the expected lifespan of the Elantra is around 250000 miles.

But you may want to get into the details of this so that you can understand more.

Well, if you drive 15000 miles on an annual basis, which is an average for US citizens, then you can expect the car to last much longer than a decade.

Now, the longevity of a vehicle is greatly dependent on the type of hardware being used and its reliability.

This article will discuss all of them further down, so you can have a clear idea of what Hyundai is doing under the hood.

Does Hyundai Elantra Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

The best way to put the Elantra through a test is to compare it with similarly priced vehicles.

This section of the article will compare it to the top three options that are available right now so it a proper test can be conducted.

These tests include offerings from the top brands that are available right now.

So, if you are serious about buying the Elantra or are looking for alternatives, then this section is one that you should definitely read.

1. Hyundai Elantra Vs. Honda Civic

Now, these vehicles were designed to compete with each other. With their dashing looks, the Elantra and the Civic both appeal to the prospective buyer.

Now, the question arises, which one is more reliable? Well, they do go head to head in most regards.

Let me list down the areas in which the differences are most prominent:

• The Civic has a lot more complaints as compared to the Elantra. I am not talking about the recent models only. So, in terms of issues, Elantra takes the clear leader among the two.
• Unlike the Civic, Elantra is more reliable too. This can be seen as the fact that Hyundai offers a warranty that is three times better as compared to Honda. They would only do that if they knew how reliable their own vehicle is.
• The Civic does win when talking about longevity. Although both of these cars will easily be able to reach 200000 miles, the Elantra may not cross the 250000-mile mark. The Civic, on the other hand, can easily touch 300000 miles.

So, when you compare both of them, the Elantra pulls out ahead. It is reliable, has fewer complaints, and provides owners with a great experience.

Although it does last less, 250000 miles is still very respectable.

Related: How Long Will A Honda Civic Last?

2. Hyundai Elantra Vs. Mazda3

Next up is a vehicle produced by Mazda, which is a highly popular car.

The Mazda3 has been recommended and bought by thousands of people around the globe, not only due to its killer looks but due to its amazing drive too.

But how does it stack up against the Hyundai Elantra in terms of reliability?

Let’s find out below:

• When you look at the number of complaints, the Mazda3 is much better compared to the Elantra. This means there are fewer issues, which may make it a suitable buy for the long run.
• In terms of reliability, the Mazda3 lags behind the Hyundai Elantra. The severity of repairs is low for the Elantra. It is not bad for the Mazda3, too, but when compared to the Elantra, it is no match.
• The Mazda3 can last for 200000 miles, which is actually the lower limit for the Hyundai Elantra. So, if you are buying one to make sure you use it for the maximum amount of time, then the Elantra is your best bet.

I think it is clear that Elantra is the winner of this competition. Although it has more complaints as compared to the Mazda3, it is more reliable.

So, people might be able to live with a few issues rather than a vehicle that longs 50000-miles less than the competition.

Related: How Long Does A Mazda3 Last?

3. Hyundai Elantra Vs. Nissan Sentra

The final car that is being compared to the Hyundai Elantra is the Nissan Sentra. Nissan’s offering is a stylish one and offers a great drive.

Let’s put both of these vehicles head to head to see who wins below:

• The Nissan Sentra has fewer complaints, which means the experience of owning the Hyundai may not be exactly smooth. So, if you are looking for a more trouble-free experience, choosing Sentra might be the smarter choice.
• Once again, the Hyundai Elantra is more reliable than the competition. What this means is that there is a lesser chance of serious issues being a problem for you after you have driven a certain number of miles.
• The Nissan Sentra beats the Elantra in terms of longevity. It can be driven for 250000 to 300000 miles, which puts it in the ballpark of the Honda Civic. So, it is a clear win for Nissan’s offering in this round.

So, in this final comparison, the Hyundai Elantra does not win. It puts up a decent fight, but it does not match up to the Sentra. Both are great cars, but the Nissan takes the lead.

Related: How Many Miles Will A Nissan Sentra Last?

Life Expectancy Of Hyundai Elantra Car Parts

The longevity of a car is determined by the quality of the hardware and the mechanical parts. In the case of the Hyundai Elantra, everything that needs to be known will be covered here.

From the tires to the transmission, this section of the article will discuss the reliability individually, so you can know if they will cause issues in the long run.

Average Lifespan Of Hyundai Elantra Brake Pads

There is no denying that Hyundai makes some great vehicles. They accelerate well, and the same can be said for the braking too.

Well, I have some good news for you. This is possible thanks to the company’s use of high-quality brake pads, which can last for a long time.

The brake pads on the Hyundai Elantra can last anywhere from 30000 miles to 70000 miles.

You can expect the average to be around 45000 miles, which is actually pretty decent. If you drive 15000 miles every year, then you can expect these pads to last for around three years.

Replacing the brake pads is important because they are responsible for reducing the speed of the vehicle whenever the brakes are applied.

When they wear down, they will not perform their job effectively, which means your Elantra will not brake well.

Fortunately, the replacement is pretty cheap, and after three years, you will have to spend an estimated $300, which also includes labor costs.

Average Lifespan Of Hyundai Elantra Battery

Now, there are two different variants of the Elantra available on the market. One is a gasoline one, while another one is a hybrid.

I will be discussing the first one only because the hybrid one has already been tried and tested.

For the traditional ones, the battery will easily last 3 to 5 years, which is the norm for most vehicles.

This number is valid for the OEM battery only, which is manufactured by Solite. It makes some solid batteries, and that is the reason Hyundai includes them in its vehicles.

If you are wondering about aftermarket batteries, they might last a year or two longer. It must be noted that with any battery, life solely depends on how it is being used.

But if it fails, Hyundai has got you covered with its warranty. Although this is valid on the OEM battery only, it is better than nothing.

Average Lifespan Of Hyundai Elantra Tires

I will be discussing OEM and aftermarket tire options.

So, when you talk about the tires that come with the Elantra from the factory, then you can expect them to last for around 50000 miles.

This means they will last for three to five years easily. There have also been reports of people pushing the 60000-mile mark with them.

That is actually pretty good and is better than some other OEM tires on the market.

If you are one to drive the vehicle for a lesser than average distance, then it is recommended to change the tires after six years, anyways.

If your tires wear out faster than the advertised time, then you are in luck.

Hyundai offers a Tire and Wheel Protection plan that provides coverage for damage due to nails or any other forms of road hazards.

The plan does not cover cosmetic damage because it does not affect the performance.

Average Lifespan Of Hyundai Elantra Transmission

The transmission of the Elantra is pretty good. It can easily last for more than 100000 miles without any major issues.

So, you can expect it to run smoothly for 7 to 8 years. This number can vary depending on how the vehicle is driven.

So, what would happen if the transmission system of the Elantra failed?

Well, there is no solution rather than a replacement. And that is going to cost you a lot. You can expect the transmission system replacement to cost you around $3500, which is a lot.

In order to avoid this, you should keep the Elantra’s fluids in check at all times. They should also be filled up in a timely manner.

As Hyundai uses a CVT transmission, it will cause issues down the line due to the parts being prone to failure due to usage.

So, it is inevitable for it to fail. But you should make sure that the lifespan can be maximized as much as possible.

Average Lifespan Of Hyundai Elantra Spark Plugs

Now, this number is one that varies greatly due to usage. In the case of the Elantra, you can expect the spark plugs to be replaced anywhere from 30000 miles to 90000 miles.

Now, you may be wondering why this gap is so big. Well, spark plug longevity is directly dependent on how frequently they are used.

In the case of aftermarket ones, the story changes. There are different spark plugs, with them ranging from copper to platinum or iridium.

The copper ones have a lifespan of around 50000 miles, while the iridium ones can last for up to 100000 miles.

If you care about going a long distance with your Elantra without having to stop for a repair, then the iridium ones are the way to go.

Average Lifespan Of Hyundai Elantra Key Fob

The final part of the Elantra that I will be talking about is the key fob.

Now, Elantra does not offer one that has a rechargeable design, which is why users have to swap the old batteries for new ones.

The expected lifespan of the battery is around three to four years.

If you put this into mileage, the key fob will need a battery replacement after the vehicle has been driven for more than 50000 miles.

This means that there will be no issues with a new battery in the near future.

The key fob itself is durable enough to last through thick and thin. It has a sturdy build and will last for as long as you want.

So, you should not have any issues with it. Battery replacement is the only thing you should be concerned about, and that is an issue that will rarely bother you.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Hyundai Elantra?

Although it does depend on how the vehicle is used, you can expect the Elantra to last for more than 200000 miles easily.

The maximum number that is to be expected is 250000, which is pretty decent.

Now, there have been reports of people pushing past the mind-blowing 300000-mile barrier, but that is only possible with constant care and up-to-date maintenance.

So, if you are looking for a used one, you can buy one that has a maximum mileage of 100000 miles. Chances are, if you buy a preowned one, you will be using it for a long while.

So, it does not make any sense to get one that is already pushing its rated limit. This is why you should not risk it and buy one that does not have too many miles on the odometer.

How To Increase How Long Your Hyundai Elantra Last

If you want to make sure that you get every single mile of the 250000-mile limit of the Elantra, then you should follow a strict maintenance schedule in order to achieve that.

After every 30000 miles the vehicle has been driven, these checks should be done to ensure that the vehicle is in tiptop condition:

• Rotate tires to distribute wear.
• Get the exhaust system inspected and fixed if there is any issue.
• Check the battery for corrosion and health. If things don’t look good, it is better to get them replaced.
• Make sure that there are no leakages in the engine. This can be confirmed by using an OBDII scanner, which will help identify any abnormalities.
• Get the oil changed. Now, this is something that most people do anyway. So, what you should do is make sure that the oil you are using is the correct one. In the case of the Elantra, it is a synthetic one.
• Get the braking, steering, and suspension systems checked for issues. This should be done by a professional.

There are many other things one can do to improve the lifespan of the Hyundai Elantra, but these are the most important ways of doing so.

If you follow this schedule strictly, you will not have to worry about any major failures during the course of your usage.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Hyundai Elantra

Although the Elantra has been proven to be a reliable vehicle, it does have issues that have been faced by users over the years.

Hyundai has let some problems fall through the gaps, which then made it into production too.

The problems that commonly affect the lifespan of the vehicle are:

• Engine Issues: Engine issues have been commonly encountered by Elantra owners. Engine ticking is a common issue, which can result in imminent engine failure.
  There have also been reports of the engine failing or stalling at times, which is pretty dangerous.
  The 2006 to 2011 variants of the car had an electrical issue, which is why the company had to recall over 400000 vehicles. Engine issues can severely degrade the performance and the overall lifespan of the vehicle.
• Steering Issues: Steering issues have also been reported by owners of models, which have been as recent as 2017.
  The issue was serious, and Hyundai had to recall some of its vehicles. The exact issue was that the steering system would fail and come back at random times.

What To Look For When Buying A Hyundai Elantra

As the Elantra is a simple gasoline-based vehicle, there is a huge list you should check against to make sure that you are getting one that will not cause any issues in the future.

Let me list down all of them:

• Variant.
• Model year.
• Mileage.
• Engine condition.
• Accident history.
• Rust on the frame.

These are some of the things that I can think of off the top of my head.

There are many other things one could check for in order to ensure that the model of the Elantra you are buying is worth it or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Hyundai Elantra A Reliable Car?

The Elantra is, in fact, a very reliable car. It is more reliable than most vehicles that come in its class.

This is possible thanks to the company’s use of high-quality hardware, which has made sure that it will last through thick and thin.

So, if you are worried about the reliability of the vehicle, in the long run, I can assure you that it should be the least of your concerns.

Q2. Does A Hyundai Elantra Have A Lot Of Problems?

There is no denying that the Elantra is not a perfect vehicle. It does have fewer complaints when compared to the Civic, but it still has been a source of frustration for many owners.

From engine ticking problems to steering failure, these issues are to be expected in some models of the car.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Hyundai Elantra?

I think it is a brilliant idea to buy a used one. If you buy one that has not been used for extended periods of time, then you will actually be saving a lot of money.

As opposed to spending money on buying a new one, it is always recommended to buy one that has been slightly used.

The Elantra has already been proven to be reliable, so a used one will not cause too many issues.

Q4. Does Hyundai Elantra Rust Easily?

Although there have been isolated incidents of owners reporting rusting in the Hyundai Elantra, it is not a widespread issue.

Even if the vehicle rusts, it may be due to a humid environment. If you do not live in a similar area, then you should not worry about it rusting at all.

Q5. Is Hyundai Elantra Expensive To Maintain?

I will be giving you a yearly estimate. The Elantra has an expected yearly maintenance cost of $452. This beats the industry average for similar cars in this range by $74. That is not all.

When you look at it for ten years, the difference rises up to $959. That is a considerable saving, regardless of the fact that it is spread over a decade.

Conclusion

If you were wondering about the question, how long do Hyundai Elantras last, I can assure you that you will not find a more detailed article elsewhere?

Instead of giving you a one-line answer, I dedicated an entire article to make sure that you know everything there is to know regarding Hyundai’s offering.

All in all, the Elantra is a fantastic car, and it is reliable too. It is fun to drive and is filled to the brim with safety features.

If you do choose to buy one, you will certainly not regret your decision. I hope this article helped clear some things up for you.