The only way a compact car could be more middle-of-the-road than the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is if you were to park it in the middle of the road. The Korean automaker’s flagship compact is the very definition of a decent car for a fair price.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
2017 Hyundai Elantra in Brief
To say that the Hyundai Elantra is one of the Honda Civic’s chief rivals might be giving the Korean-made compact a little too much credit. Still, it’s in a tight race for second place. It can’t compete with the Civic’s reputation, but the Elantra makes a good contender on overall value.
If you’re considering an Elantra, you’re probably after a small, budget-friendly car that’s cheap to fill up. We can tell you right up front: That’s exactly what the Elantra is. It delivers. Still, you don’t want to go running to the dealership on that alone, right? You want to do your research and make sure that you know what you’re getting, and that it’s worth your hard-earned dollar.
That’s what this guide is for. Everything that you need to know in order to make an informed buying decision about the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is right here.
If you want the short version, here’s what you should know right up front:
2017 Elantra Offers Five Trims, Wins Safety Award
This depends on whether you count the Value Edition as its own trim level, or as a package for the SE. The trim levels range from the fuel-efficient but slightly-underpowered ECO, to the surprisingly zippy Sport.
The car holds a Top Safety Pick+ with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and a perfect rating in almost every overall category across the board. The car averaged four stars out of five with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Simply put, the 2017 Elantra holds up as safer than most.
However, the 2017 Hyundais have a serious paint problem. Lighter shades like Pearl White have been known to flake and chip off, leaving your car looking patchy and rough before it’s even hit 50,000 miles.
Unfortunately, it is a master of none. The Sentra NISMO is a sportier car at a similar price, the Corolla offers a better suite of tech, and the Civic is simply the best compact on the market today. If you just want a good grocery-getter at a fair price, the Elantra is a rock solid all-around car.
Pros from Owners
Efficient gas mileage, Warranty coverage is very good, sedan with 4 door feature is roomy. Appearance is stylish yet not flashy and pretentious, not overly large. Like, the camera, reverse feature for safety.
There is a touchscreen which eliminates buttons, Bluetooth, wireless internet, cruise control, dash displays miles per gallon and miles left until empty, large trunk, drives smooth, capable of getting 33 miles per gallon.
This car is very easy to drive, reliable, and great on gas. I love apple carplay. There is lots of space which wouldn't be expected since it is a small car. The most important part is that it is a very safe car!
The pros to this vehicle include great gas mileage of course. I love how smooth my drive is. The seats are pretty comfortable. (We use it to travel) and the cooling and heating are efficient and quick. I also enjoy using CarPlay to navigate my GPS, music, texts/calls, etc all hands free.
I like that it is good on gas. It is not a very big car, I like small cars. It had a lot of options to choose from, but since it was my first time leasing I just went with the basics. I might even decides to purchase it.
This vehicle is very compact and drives smoothly. This vehicle has very nice features and a sharp look. I like that there is not a big blind spot. This vehicle is very good on gas and great for the economy.
This vehicle is very fuel efficient! I love that I can drive a long time on one tank of fuel. I also like the apple carplay feature that keeps you hands free but allows text messages to display on the radio screen if you choose.
Pros: It can switch the automatic function to sport or eco depending on driver it is good for transmission to know and use that function. It also has great mileage and phenomenal on the highway. It is smooth riding and has easy access to anything you need under the hood for common things to you would normally check on, I.E. Air filter, transmission, oil, radiator, fluid wash, brake system for a flush, etc.
Cons from Owners
Acceleration problem, does not feel as though it catches up readily when merging into traffic.Feels light weight and not well constructed., Wondering about safety in accident, we have a 2017 with a pearl finish and we had a peeling problem had to be refinished.
The inside is small, if someone who is tall with long legs needs to put the seat back it leaves very little leg room for the people in the back, the seats sit very low to the ground which is not convenient for people with back issues, though there is Bluetooth connection it does not tell you when you receive a text message.
This car constantly bottoms out on driveways, the wipers seem to break after a year (same this happened on my last Elantra), and little pieces on the interior peel off or break. The tires wear out very quickly.
There are not many cons to this vehicle, but I will say that there is no armrest which can be frustrating when traveling and having nowhere to rest your arm. Other than that, I have very few complaints about this vehicle.
Honestly I don't really feel there are any cons. The only thing I could think of but it is not really a terrible big deal the car is low to the ground. I am getting older unfortunately so now that makes it a little harder to get in and out of the car.
I have not had any issues with this car. It has been very reliable and durable and has still looks brand new. If I could change anything with this car it would be that it does not have a backup camera and it does not have heated seats.
The gas tank access lever seems flimsy. I would personally tint the windows but overall the quality of the vehicle and features are comparable to other cars in its class. The radio distance from the driver is a little far. Sometimes it is hard to control.
It is super vulnerable to major damages even in the slightest of accidents. Repairing it is outrageous for a fiber made car. The oil plug is not well put together and have had to replace that 3 times since I have owned the vehicle.
2017 Elantra’s Five Trims Add Fuel Efficiency, Sportiness
The 2017 Elantra has a short list of trim levels, but makes up for that with generous packages and options, notably the Value Edition package. While you don’t have a lot of options for trim levels, you should be able to find one that suits you, from the fuel-efficient ECO to the zippy Sport.
SE
This is your standard basic, but not lacking, compact car trim level. Carpeted flooring, remote keyless entry, internet access, FOB controls, and a radio with USB and auxiliary jacks are all standard.
Hyundai didn’t go above and beyond when packing features into the base model, but they didn’t cheap out, either. Everything you expect to find in a budget-friendly 2017 compact is included here; there’s just not much extra.
ECO
The ECO is neither an upgrade nor a downgrade from the SE, more like a trade-off. The ECO is priced about the same as an SE, and sacrifices the Elantra’s performance for a more luxurious interior and better fuel efficiency.
The ECO’s 1.4L Turbo GDI was Ward’s 2017 10 Best Engines winner. However, that award has more to do with efficiency than performance, as the horsepower tops out at just 128. If you don’t mind driving such a lightweight compact, what you get in return is fantastic fuel efficiency, plus push button start, leather shifter material, and heated power seats as base features in a car that starts at under $11k. It’s not exactly a BMW, but it’s more feature-generous than you expect from a budget compact.
Limited
The Limited is running on the same engine and specs as the base SE, and stands as the luxury-lite trim level. It includes keyless ignition, audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, leather trim for the wheel, shifter, and seats. The Limited tends to sell for just a few hundred dollars more than the SE, and it has more than enough bonuses and upgrades to justify that very modest price bump.
Sport
The Sport Elantra adds a welcome performance boost to the unassuming Elantra, allowing it to compete with sportier Civics and Corollas. The 1.6L Turbo engine gives the Sport a 54 horsepower boost over the 147 hp, 2.0L engine found in the SE model. It has a handful of interior upgrades like heated bucket seats and leather trim come standard.
Value Edition
Value usually means cheap, but in the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, it actually means value. In the 2017, the Value Edition is available as a $1,650 package for the SE. With this package, you get upgrades like sport-tuned suspension, heated front seats, heated mirrors, keyless start, and a stylish leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Value Edition package delivers a little more than you’d expect for the money.
Used 2017 Elantra Prices Range from $10,967 to $16,739
There are many factors at play when shopping for a used car, from location and condition to options and your skill at kicking the tires and haggling on a fair price. The numbers below are based on Kelley Blue Book quotes, and assume fair condition and a relatively low number on the odometer, given the car’s age. This should be somewhere in the 50,000-mile range. The private seller price is represented by the low end, and on the high end is the certified pre-owned price, which includes warranty, inspection, and screening.
- ECO: $10,967 – $14,193
- SE: $12,292 – $16,329
- Limited: $12,824 – $16,417
- Sport: $12,903 – $16,739
When viewing the price averages, keep in mind that the low end or under the listed price means that you’re probably getting a fixer-upper. If the price is higher than what is listed, you’re being taken for a ride.
Does a 2017 Hyundai Elantra Hold its Value?
Unless we’re talking about a rare collector’s piece, no car is an investment. A house might return what you put into it, but any mass-produced car is going to trade in for less than you paid. Some cars depreciate faster than others. How does an Elantra perform on the open market once it has a few miles on it?
According to Car Edge, an Elantra should lose around 25% of its value in the first year. No big surprise there, as the first year is usually where you’re going to see the most depreciation.
From there, you’re typically going to lose an average of around 5% to 10% each year. After five years, you should be holding about 55% of the sticker price, and then 35% after a decade.
2017 Elantra Powertrain Options Offer Up to 201 HP
The 2017 Elantra gives you three engine options, and they’re locked to their trim levels: a 1.4L Turbo for the ECO, a 2.0L for the Base and SE, and a 1.6L Turbo for the Elantra Sport. These engines are all inline-four.
The Elantra is front-wheel drive on all trim levels. On any trim besides the ECO, which is automatic-only, you can choose between six-speed automatic transmission, or seven-speed, auto-shift manual transmission.
The ECO’s 1.4L engine produces a modest 128 horsepower with 156 lb.-ft. of torque. The 2.0L produces 147 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque. The 1.6L Turbo comes in at a formidable 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque.
There are tougher compacts out there, but for the price, the Elantra cruises along at a fairly decent baseline across all powertrain options.
How Fuel Efficient is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
Fuel efficiency is one of the areas where the 2017 Elantra has an opportunity to truly shine, with solid EPA ratings no matter the engine.
The 1.4L Turbo found in the ECO is, unsurprisingly, the most fuel efficient in the lineup, estimated at 32/40 miles to the gallon, city/highway. In second place is the 1.6L Turbo found in the Sport, which should get you somewhere in the area of 26/33. Finally, the standard 2.0L turns out a respectable 24/32.
The ECO and Sport come with a 14-gallon tank, while the 2.0L holds 13.2 gallons.
Note that the figures cited above assume you’re driving with an automatic transmission. If you go with manual, expect slightly lower numbers. Fuel efficiency can be difficult to estimate consistently in a manual, because there are so many variables to how a person drives, but expect to lose at least two or three miles on each gallon.
2017 Elantra Performance Gets Necessary Boost from Sport Trim
The Elantra Sport offers decent performance for the price, while the other Elantras, struggle to keep up. The Sport was tested by Zero to Sixty Times and found to reach 60 mph at 6.9 seconds, crossing the quarter-mile line at 15.3 seconds. The standard engine got the car there at 8.6 and 16.5, respectively, and the ECO at 7.9 and 16.2, providing faster acceleration even with the compromised horsepower.
In short, the standard 2017 Elantra is competent, but not exactly a rally contender. The Sport, on the other hand, could prove serious competition for a sporty Civic.
If you’re driving on any broken roads, dirt tracks, and steep hills, the front-wheel drive gives the Elantra a bit of extra grip in less-than-ideal driving scenarios. With ground clearance at just 5.3 inches, you’ll generally want to stay away from unpaved roads or soft terrain, and it might not be ideal if you get a lot of snow, mud, and rain where you live. This is a street car, not an exploration vehicle.
How Big is a 2017 Hyundai Elantra?
Depending on who you ask, the 2017 Hyundai Elantra is either a compact or a midsize. The EPA calls it a midsize based on its interior specs, but it’s marketed, sold, and priced like a compact.
Basically, it’s roomy for a compact, and fuel efficient for a midsize. It’s a pretty good deal all around.
- Length: 180″
- Width: 71″
- Height: 57″
- Front headroom: 38.8″
- Front legroom: 42.2″
- Rear headroom: 37.3″
- Rear legroom: 35.7″
The EPA measures the interior volume at a total of 110.2 cubic feet. For cargo space, you get anywhere from 23 to 51 cubic feet, depending on how many seats you have up, and how many passengers are riding with you.
As long as you don’t think you’re going to be moving furniture with this thing, it really is the best of both worlds. The Elantra is very small on the outside, surprisingly big on the inside, and has seating to accommodate up to five average-sized adults in relative comfort.
2017 Elantra Has Near-perfect Safety Score from Top Auto Agencies
You can make an argument that the Elantra is edged out by comparable Hondas in performance and Toyotas for luxurious interiors. Still, there’s no getting around the fact that the Elantra is one of the safest compacts on the road today.
The car has a near-perfect score with the IIHS, and a Top Safety Pick+ award, the organization’s highest possible rating. The IIHS gave the car a rating of “G” for “Good,” their highest score, in every overall category but two. The first lower score was for LATCH ease of use, which earned an “A” for “Acceptable,” and refers to the child seat system. A less-than-perfect score for ease of use means that while the child seat anchors are safe to use, they’re a bit cumbersome.
They also had a split-decision on headlights. The Ultimate package available on some trim levels earned a G, while the standard headlight design earned a P for Poor, a rating that probably needs no explanation.
The NHTSA gave the car a less-than-perfect, but still excellent four-star overall rating out of a possible five. The car earned a four for overall front rating, five for overall side rating, and four for rollover.
While the NHTSA was a little harsher in their rating of the car than the IIHS, taking both ratings into account still averages out to a near-perfect score across the board.
High-tech Upgrades Expand 2017 Elantra’s Limited Technology
If you want your 2017 Elantra fully loaded with high-end tech, you’ll want to invest in the Tech package for $3,600. That comes with a seven-inch screen, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth hands-free, a backup camera, and some style upgrades, too, like a panoramic sunroof and aluminum pedals. Add the Value package to that for $1,650 and you get proximity key entry, push button start, and power seats as well.
Otherwise, entertainment and convenience tech are limited. Standard features include power-heated side mirrors, power windows and locks, three 12v power outlets, FOB controls, and USB and auxiliary jacks. The ECO adds Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but can’t be upgraded with the Tech and Value Edition packages.
Standard safety tech includes all the basics like ABS, Driveline Traction Control, and Electronic Stability Control, while the ECO adds Rear Collision Warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a backup camera. There is nothing fancy, but there are no glaring omissions, either.
2017 Elantra Exterior & Interior Color Options Stick with Earth Tones
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra debuted with a range of eight exterior colors, with three possible interior colors.
SE, Limited, Sport, and Value Edition Interior Colors
- Beige
- Black
ECO Interior Colors
- Beige
- Gray
As mentioned in the Known Issues section, white 2017 Hyundais had a serious problem with chipping, flaking paint. These issues were reported most frequently with lighter colors, and with Quartz White Pearl in particular.
What Did Reviews Say About the 2017 Elantra Then and Now?
What Critics Say
Going back to the first-year reviews, Micah Muzio at Kelley Blue Book got his hands on a 2017 Elantra in mid-2016, giving a positive, if not exactly head-over-heels appraisal of the car.
Muzio found the interior quality of the car to be a mixed bag, stating, “Overall, the vibe of the interior is modern and handsome, just like the exterior. …[But] the cabin of the Elantra is dominated by hard plastic [and] covered in unpleasant, grippy material. Makes it an uncomfortable place to rest your elbow.”
Reviewing the feel of driving the car, he mentions the six-speed transmission and 2.0L engine pairing, saying, “I wish it would downshift a little quicker when I press the accelerator, but overall it’s a lovely transmission.”
“Over big bumps, the impact can feel a little bit harsh, and at times the road feels a little bit floaty,” he adds.
“That’s not to say the Elantra doesn’t handle well; it actually does,” continues Muzio. “…Hyundai’s compact traces corners with impressive tenacity, just don’t expect an intimate dialogue between car and driver.”
Still, a car like this might look solid in the first year, only to fall apart one mile past its warranty. Is the 2017 Elantra a trouper, or are those cheap interior materials a foreboding sign?
Recent Reviews Show 2017 Elantra Holding Up Well with Owners and Critics
In a February 2020 review, the U.S. News & World Report explores how the Hyundai Elantra holds up as a used car. When the car first launched, U.S. News awarded the 2017 Elantra that year’s “Best New Car for Teens” award, and rated it at number six (out of 10) on their 2017 Compact Cars list. As of this writing, it currently holds an 8.3 rating.
“The 2017 Elantra is a good option if you’re shopping for a used compact car… It’s especially impressive inside, thanks to its easy-to-use features, handsome materials, and generous seating space,” says U.S. News & World Report. “[But] there are better cars to consider as well, which offer a nicer driving experience and zippier acceleration.”
Vehicle History Owner Reviews Support 2017 Elantra’s Reputation for Reliability
Also, the majority of our user reviews on Vehicle History also seem to support the Hyundai Elantra’s reputation for safety and reliability.
The car currently holds a rating of 4.4 stars out of a possible five based on 1,305 reviews. Of those, 55% have five stars, 34% have four stars, 9% have three stars, and the remaining 1% have two stars. When rounding up these reviews, we try to portray an equal share of negative and positive comments, but the Elantra has no one-star user ratings on the website, which is incredibly rare.
Perhaps the least flattering review of the car comes from Jackie W. in Jun 2020, who states, “Worst car I’ve ever had.” Unfortunately, Jackie’s been saddled with a lion’s share of engine troubles. “I’ve never spent so much time at a service station in my life. All the bells and whistles that it has are great, but not worth the hassle of having a bad engine.”
Gerald P. had a much better experience with his Elantra, reporting in February 2020, “I have had my Elantra for nearly two years. I have had no problems with it at all… except for maybe a flat tire here and there.”
Joe S. left a three-star review in March 2020 praising the fuel efficiency, but wishing for a bit more cargo space. “It is very efficient when it comes to fuel usage. [But] the car is just too small for me, and does not allow me to haul things without messing up my seats.”
Overall, the consensus suggests that the 2017 Elantra is a solid buy. It is efficient, reliable, and affordable. Still, it’s not going to dethrone the Civic as the king of its class anytime soon.
Is the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Easy to Maintain?
The Hyundai Elantra’s chief rival, the Honda Civic, is one of the most reliable cars in the world, so competition in this class of car is pretty fierce. Fortunately, we safely can report that the 2017 Elantra is hardly a money pit.
Repair Pal puts the annual maintenance cost for the car at around $430. That’s a bit more than the Civic ($290 a year), but still comes in at under $40 a month.
The average repair for the vehicle is quoted at around $387 to $473, with the most expensive common fix a heater core replacement at $946 to $1,117. The cheapest listed is the diagnosis and testing of the powertrain control system at $44 to $56.
Repair Pal give the car a 4.5 out of a possible five stars for reliability, placing it at number eight out of 36 in their ranking of compact cars.
The Civic is a little cheaper to keep running and a little more reliable, but Honda is the all-time champs on this front. To even come close to the Civic’s numbers is a major win.
Known Issues in the 2017 Hyundai Elantra
The 2017 Elantra has had four recalls, all within the first year of release. An April 2016 recall affecting just 33 Hyundais saw airbags failing to inflate properly, and a similar airbag issue was addressed in December of that year, affecting 110 units. In January 2017, Hyundai recalled 33,803 2017 Elantras that were liable to suffer a loss of power brake assist. Finally, in March 2017, 99 Elantras were recalled for a loss of power steering assist.
While 33,803 cars isn’t what we’d consider a huge number for a recall, in this case, these were all 2017 Elantras. Hyundai only sold 198,210 units that year, meaning that one out of every six units was affected by the January 2017 recall. You should use our lookup tool to check the VIN of any 2017 Elantra you’re considering to make sure you’re in the clear. Recalls are paid for by the manufacturer and they’re valid forever, with or without a warranty, so there’s no reason not to check for open recalls on any vehicle.
The 2017 Elantra has 314 complaints on file with the NHTSA right now. About a third of those pertain to the engine. These range from abnormal sounds when starting the vehicle to misfiring engine coils and random sputtering. That is to say that while the Elantra does have its share of engine troubles, none seem prevalent enough to point to a clear pattern.
A common complaint listed under Structure points to the car’s paint peeling off at well under 50,000 miles. This seems to be most common with the white paint. We recently covered the paint issue in-depth, and if you check the comments, you’ll find plenty of unhappy drivers who have experienced chipping paint not only in the Elantra, but in Sonatas, as well. Many drivers report difficulties getting Hyundai to pay for a fresh coat through their warranty. If you can help it, try not to buy a white Elantra.
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra vs. the Competition
We’ve talked about the 2017 Honda Civic in this review. but, the Civic isn’t the only competition. Let’s see how the Elantra stacks up not only against Honda’s flagship compact, but also the 2017 Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra.
2017 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2017 Honda Civic
Starting at around $15k, the 2017 Honda Civic continues to hold its place year-over-year at the head of the compact pack, and the 2017 is no exception. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) comes standard, but if you haven’t driven a Honda CVT lately, you may be surprised at how it feels in this Civic. It’s been redesigned to feel more like a conventional automatic.
The standard Civic comes packed with a 2.0L engine, producing 158 horsepower and averaging 31/40 miles to the gallon city/highway. Long story short: It is everything its reputation suggests.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2017 Toyota Corolla
The 2017 Toyota Corolla L model starts at just over $15k for roughly the same performance specs you’re getting out of a base Elantra. However, it’s a CVT, which might be a deal breaker.
The interior features are decent. A six-inch screen with Siri Eyes Free comes standard, and you get an automatic equalizer to even out audio quality. Plus, this car has a more generous suite of safety tech, including Lane Departure Alert and Pre-Collision System.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
2017 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2017 Nissan Sentra
Starting at $12,529, the S model 2017 Nissan Sentra is the cheapest car on this list. The S tops out at about 120 horsepower, and it’s only available with a one-speed CVT. The most high-tech entertainment feature you’re getting is a USB port.
The NISMO, on the other hand, starts at just under $15k, goes up to 188 horsepower, and includes a more generous entertainment setup with a five-inch display.
To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.
So, Is a Used 2017 Hyundai Elantra a Good Purchase?
There are better cars on the market today, and there are cheaper cars on the market today. In terms of the value you get for your dollar, the Elantra’s not a bad purchase. If money is no object, we recommend a Civic over an Elantra. With nearly a $10k difference between the sportier trim levels on both cars, the Elantra easily wins as the budget-friendly alternative to Hyundai’s flagship car.
Photos: Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota, and Honda
