1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Hyundai Elantra. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Hyundai Elantra.

1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra Review

Sensing a gap in both size and price between its low-budget subcompact Excel and the up-level compact Sonata, Hyundai launched the Elantra. This high-end subcompact 4-door sedan aimed at the Geo Prizm, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Ford Escort, and Saturn sedan. The front-drive Elantra came in base or fancier GLS trim, with a 113-horsepower, 1.6-liter twin-cam 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual shift. Ordering 4-speed automatic transmission cut output to 105 horsepower.

Year to Year Changes

1993 Hyundai Elantra: A larger, more-powerful engine became available in 1993, on the GLS and all automatic-transmission models. Base cars now wore a black-finished grille, versus a body-color unit for the GLS, which also adopted newly designed wheel covers and a 3-spoke steering wheel. Manual-shift base models stuck with the original 113-horsepower engine, but others got a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder that made 124 horsepower.

1994 Hyundai Elantra: Elantras added a driver-side airbag for 1994, plus optional antilock braking with 4-wheel discs for the GLS. Styling got a freshening, including a reshaped grille, headlamps, front bumpers, and taillights, plus modified interior trim.

1995 Hyundai Elantra: Awaiting a redesign for 1996, the existing Elantra faced its final season without significant change.

1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra Road Test

Pros	Cons

Visibility	Noise

Control layout	Ride

Passenger and cargo room	Radio controls

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Early Elantras with the smaller engine exhibit fairly spirited performance with manual shift. But with the automatic transmission, you must use a heavy foot to keep up with traffic. Performance is better with the 1.8-liter engine that debuted for 1993. Though relatively smooth, the 1.6-liter engine isn't truly quiet. The 1.8-liter engine is smoother but not much quieter. Gas mileage isn't as great as might be expected. An automatic GLS averaged only 22.5 mpg. Road and wind noise is excessive for a modern small car. Elantras have a floaty ride. The suspension does not absorb bumps well, and the ride can get rough over broken pavement. Wavy surfaces yield a bouncy and disjointed sensation. Body lean is excessive in sharp directional changes, and the front tires tend to resist turning. Brakes are adequate, if a bit overassisted. The addition of optional antilock braking for 1994 was a sensible move, though ABS was available only on the GLS. Passenger space is generous for a car in this class. Six-footers can sit comfortably in back, though the seat is too narrow for three adults. Head room is adequate all around. Except for low-mounted radio gauges, controls are well laid out. Visibility is good to all directions. Out back, the large trunk has a low, bumper-height liftover.

Value for the Money
Overall, Elantra rates no higher than average, but came better equipped than most competitors. Workmanship cannot match that of most rivals, so be sure any Elantra is inspected carefully before you make a purchase.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Hyundai Elantra GLS auto	Rating

Performance	3

Fuel Economy	6

Ride Quality	2

Steering/Handling/Braking	2

Quietness	2

Controls/Materials	3

Interior Room	3

Room/Comfort (rear)	3

Cargo Capacity	3

Value within Class	3

Total:	30

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.

1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra Reliability

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: If the transmission slips or will not go into fourth gear, the end clutch needs to be replaced. (1992-95)

Automatic transmission: The transmission may shift poorly between first and second or develop harsh shifting. It can be corrected by adjusting the kickdown servo. (1992-95)

Brakes: Brake-pedal pulsation is often due to brake-disc-thickness variations. (1992-95)

Engine misfire: In cool weather, the engine may stall or run rough. A replacement computer might fix the problem. (1992)

Hard starting: Hard starting may be due to a cracked in-tank fuel line. (1992-95)

Hard starting: A cold-start repair kit can aid 1.6-liter engines that do not start in temperatures below 10 degrees (F). (1992-94)

Manual transmission: Manual transaxles may grind when attempting to shift into reverse due to a problem with either the reverse idle-gear bushing and reverse shift lever, reverse synchronizer, or a weak wave spring. (1992-94)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.


Item Name	Repair Cost

A/C Compressor	$565

Alternator	$315

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$810

Brakes	$190

Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing	$310

Constant Velocity Joints	$355

Exhaust System	$295

Radiator	$390

Shocks and/or Struts	$595

Timing Chain or Belt	$195

NHTSA Recall History

1994-95: Driver-side airbag warning light could illuminate because of increased electrical resistance; might prevent airbag from activating during a crash.

1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1992
Elantra	$0	$0	$0

1993
Elantra	$0	$0	$0

1994
Elantra	$1,000-1,300	$600-800	$100

1995
Elantra	$1,000-1,400	$600-800	$100

This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:

Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.

Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.

Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.

1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	98.4

Overall Length, in.	172.8

Overall Width, in.	66.1

Overall Height, in.	52.0

Curb Weight, lbs.	2500

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	11.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.7

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.4

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.6

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.4

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

With 5-speed manual shift, the initial 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine developed 113 horsepower. Ordering an Elantra with a 4-speed automatic transmission cut the engine's output to 105 horsepower. For 1992, manual-shift base models adopted the 113-horsepower engine, while all others got a 124-horsepower, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	1.6 / 97	105-113	102	5-speed manual: 22/29 4-speed automatic: 22/29	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: --

dohc I4	1.8 / 110	124	116	5-speed manual: 21/28 4-speed automatic: 22/29	5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 22.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	1995 Elantra

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	1

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Built In: South Korea

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra Review:

Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra Road Test

Hyundai Elantra Reliability

Hyundai Elantra Prices

Hyundai Elantra Specs & Safety

Hyundai Elantra Photos

Hyundai Elantra Full Review