1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Control layout
- Passenger and cargo room
- Visibility
Cons
- Radio controls
- Noise
- Ride
Vehicle Highlights
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.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | 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 Score: | 30 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra.
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.
Our road test for the 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra is right for you.
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.
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.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | 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 Score: | 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.
Our reliability study for this generation Hyundai Elantra includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Hyundai Elantra .
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:
The transmission may shift poorly between first and second or develop harsh shifting. It can be corrected by adjusting the kickdown servo. (1992-95)
Automatic transmission:
If the transmission slips or will not go into fourth gear, the end clutch needs to be replaced. (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 |
Our price chart for this generation Hyundai Elantra details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1995 | |||
| Elantra | $1,000-1,400 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1994 | |||
| Elantra | $1,000-1,300 | $600-800 | $100 |
| 1993 | |||
| Elantra | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 1992 | |||
| Elantra | $0 | $0 | $0 |
|
|
|||
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.
Specs for this generation Hyundai Elantra include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
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 | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
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. |
|||||
Built In: South Korea
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Hyundai Elantra include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1992-1995 Hyundai Elantra directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
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.
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