Hyundai Elantra

Hyundai Elantra: generations — what actually changed in the numbers

The catalogue lists 11 Hyundai Elantra generations (the count includes restyles as separate rows). Body labels from the file: 1 generation, 2 generation, 3 generation, 3 generation, restyling, 4 generation, 5 generation, restyling, 6 generation, 6 generation, restyling, 7 generation, and 7 generation, restyling are Sedan; 5 generation (2010-04-01–2015-04-30) is Coupe.

The catalogue lists 11 Hyundai Elantra generations (the count includes restyles as separate rows). Body labels from the file: 1 generation, 2 generation, 3 generation, 3 generation, restyling, 4 generation, 5 generation, restyling, 6 generation, 6 generation, restyling, 7 generation, and 7 generation, restyling are Sedan; 5 generation (2010-04-01–2015-04-30) is Coupe.

Ground clearance is 150 mm on the first generation, 160 mm on the second, third, third restyle and fourth, 150 mm on the fifth Coupe and fifth restyle, 135 mm on the sixth (2015-09-01–2019-07-31), 150 mm on the sixth restyle, then 140 mm or 150 mm on seventh-generation versions. That 25 mm drop from fourth-generation 160 mm to sixth-generation 135 mm is the largest ride-height change in the table; the restyle put 15 mm back (150 mm). The seventh-generation sporty 1.6 DCT 201 hp sits at 140 mm; the 1.6 AT 127 hp sits at 150 mm.

Fuel tank: 52 l (1 generation), 55 l (2 generation and 3 generation / restyle), 53 l (4 generation), 48 l (Coupe 5 generation), 50 l (5 generation, restyling and 6 generation), 60 l (6 generation, restyling — the largest tank), 47 l on most 7 generation cars, 42 l on both Hybrid 1.6 DCT 139 hp cars. Range arithmetic on mixed figures where both exist: sixth-restyle 1.6 MT 128 hp, 60 l ÷ 6.5 l/100 km ≈ 923 km; seventh Hybrid 1.6 DCT 139 hp, 42 l ÷ 4.4 l/100 km ≈ 955 km; N N 2.0T DCT, 47 l ÷ 10.2 l/100 km ≈ 461 km.

Kerb weight: 1 generation 1.5 MT 84 hp is 1040 kg (12.38 kg/hp). 7 generation 1.6 MT 128 hp is 1160 kg. The heaviest catalogue cars are the N DCTs at 1495 kg. The lightest seventh-generation car (1160 kg) is 335 kg lighter than N DCT.

Emissions class, where listed: Euro 4 on several third-restyle / fourth / fifth-restyle Gasoline cars; Euro 5 on most sixth-generation naturally aspirated cars; Euro 6 on sixth-generation 204 hp 1.6 MT / 1.6 DCT and on seventh-generation cars that have a class. Many older versions: not measured.

Engines and specs

Exact modification names as in the database. Same name, different power, is a different car.

Power per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): N N 2.0T DCT 140.1 hp/l; sixth-generation 1.6 DCT 204 hp 128.2 hp/l; seventh 1.6 DCT 201 hp 125.8 hp/l; sixth-restyle 1.4 DCT 128 hp 94.6 hp/l; Hybrid 1.6 DCT 139 hp 88.0 hp/l; sixth 1.6 MT 128 hp 80.5 hp/l; sixth 2.0 AT 150 hp 75.0 hp/l; fourth 1.6 MT 85 hp Diesel 53.7 hp/l; second 1.9 MT 68 hp 35.7 hp/l.

Injection labels from the file: Distributed injection (multi-point) on most naturally aspirated Gasoline cars; Direct injection (direct) on sixth-generation 201/204 hp turbos, sixth-restyle 1.4 DCT, and N. Fourth-generation Diesel 1.6 MT 85 hp and 115 hp: injection not measured.

Rear brakes on the sixth-restyle 1.4 DCT are Drum; most later cars use the file label Disc. Rear suspension on many sixth/seventh cars is listed as Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem; the 201 hp sixth-restyle 1.6 MT / 1.6 DCT use Independent, spring at the rear.

Performance and economy

0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest among measured cars:

• N 2.0T DCT 5.3 s (both 7 generation and restyling). Top speed 250 km/h.
• N 2.0 T MT / N 2.0T MT 5.8 s, 250 km/h.
• 6 generation, restyling 1.6 MT 201 hp 7.5 s; top speed not measured.
• 6 generation, restyling 1.6 DCT 201 hp 7.7 s; top speed not measured. Same 7.7 s on 6 generation 1.6 DCT 204 hp, which does have 210 km/h.
• 6 generation 1.6 MT 204 hp 8.0 s, 210 km/h — 0.3 s slower than its DCT twin, 3 hp more than the restyle 201 hp manuals.
• 7 generation, restyling 1.6 DCT 201 hp 7.6 s, 225 km/h — 15 km/h more than the sixth 204 hp DCT, 0.1 s quicker than that DCT’s 7.7 s.
• 2 generation 2.0 MT 139 hp 8.6 s, 202 km/h.
• 6 generation 2.0 MT 150 hp 8.8 s, 205 km/h. Restyle 2.0 MT 150 hp: same 8.8 s / 205 km/h.
• 6 generation 2.0 AT 150 hp 9.9 s, 202 km/h; restyle 2.0 AT 9.9 s, 203 km/h. Automatic costs 1.1 s versus 2.0 MT on the same 150 hp / 192 Nm engine.
• 7 generation, restyling 2.0 AT 150 hp 9.8 s, 203 km/h — 0.1 s quicker than the sixth-restyle 2.0 AT.
• 6 generation, restyling 1.4 DCT 128 hp 9.5 s; top speed not measured. Versus the same generation 1.6 MT 128 hp at 10.1 s / 200 km/h: 0.6 s quicker with 57 Nm more (212 vs 155) from 238 cm³ less (1353 vs 1591).
• 7 generation, restyling 1.6 DCT Hybrid 139 hp 10.5 s, 178 km/h. Pre-restyle Hybrid 1.6 DCT 10.8 s, 173 km/h. Restyle buys 0.3 s and 5 km/h.
• 7 generation / restyling 1.4 DCT 140 hp 11.6 s, 200 km/h — same 11.6 s as 1.6 AT 127 hp, despite 13 more hp and 53 more Nm (211 vs 158).
• 6 generation 1.6 AT 128 hp 11.6 s, 195 km/h; restyle 1.6 Gamma 127 hp also 11.6 s / 195 km/h.
• 4 generation 1.6 AT 105 hp 13.0 s, 170 km/h.
• 2 generation 1.9 MT 68 hp Diesel 16.5 s, 158 km/h — the slowest measured Elantra.

Not measured 0–100 (do not treat as “no such figure exists”): 7 generation 1.6 MT 201 hp, 1.6 MT 128 hp, 1.6 DCT 201 hp, 1.5 CVT, 1.6 AT 120 hp LPG, 2.0 MT 159 hp; 7 generation, restyling 1.5 CVT; several 5 generation Coupe automatics; several 2 generation automatics.

Fuel, mixed, where measured:

• Lowest: Hybrid 1.6 DCT 139 hp, 4.4 l/100 km (both seventh bodies). City and highway not measured.
• 6 generation, restyling 1.6 MT 128 hp 6.5 / city 8.7 / highway 5.2.
• 5 generation, restyling 1.6 MT 132 hp 6.4 / 8.6 / 5.2.
• 6 generation 1.6 MT 128 hp 6.6 / 8.9 / 5.2 — restyle saves 0.1 mixed and 0.2 city on the same 128 hp / 155 Nm / 1591 cm³ Manual 6.
• 6 generation 1.6 DCT 204 hp 7.2 mixed (city 9.5, highway 5.8) versus 1.6 MT 204 hp 7.7 / 10.5 / 6.1: the Robotic 7 uses 0.5 l/100 km less mixed and is 0.3 s quicker.
• 6 generation 2.0 AT 7.2 mixed versus restyle 2.0 AT 7.4: restyle uses 0.2 more mixed, 0.1 more city (10.2 vs 10.1), 0.2 more highway (5.7 vs 5.5).
• 7 generation / restyling 1.6 DCT 201 hp 7.6 mixed; 1.6 MT 201 hp 8.4 mixed (pre-restyle only). DCT listed 0.8 l/100 km lower mixed.
• 7 generation / restyling 1.6 AT 127 hp 7.1 mixed; city/highway not measured.
• N N 2.0T DCT 10.2 mixed, city 11.8, highway 7.8; N 2.0T MT 9.4 / 10.7 / 6. Manual N uses 0.8 l/100 km less mixed than DCT N.
• 4 generation 1.6 MT 115 hp Diesel 6.1 mixed, highway 4.9 — highway is the lowest highway figure among measured cars.
• 2 generation 1.9 MT 6.4 mixed.

CO2 where listed: sixth-restyle 1.6 MT 128 hp 148 g/km; 1.6 Gamma 152; 2.0 MT 163; 2.0 AT 167. Sixth 1.6 DCT 204 hp 163 versus 1.6 MT 204 hp 176. Seventh N DCT restyle 159; 1.6 AT 127 hp 160. Many versions: not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Wheels, where listed: sixth and sixth restyle often 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17; fifth Coupe 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 215/45 R17 on several cars; fourth 185/65 R15, 205/55 R16; seventh restyle N and 2.0 AT 205/55 R16, 225/45 R17. Many versions: wheels not measured.

Kerb vs gross, examples:

• 7 generation 1.6 MT 128 hp: 1160 / 1720 kg, clearance 140 mm, tank 47 l.
• 7 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 127 hp: 1280 kg kerb, gross not measured, clearance 150 mm, tank 47 l.
• 7 generation, restyling 2.0 AT 150 hp: 1375 / 1770 kg, 150 mm, 47 l.
• 7 generation, restyling 1.6 DCT 201 hp: 1370 / 1810 kg, 140 mm, 47 l — 90 kg heavier than the 127 hp 1.6 AT, 74 hp more, 4.0 s quicker (7.6 vs 11.6).
• Hybrid 1.6 DCT 139 hp: 1345 / 1850 kg, 140 mm, 42 l.
• N DCT: 1495 / 1895 kg; N MT: 1445 / 1860 kg.
• 6 generation 2.0 AT 150 hp: 1250 / 1800 kg — 105 kg lighter kerb than seventh-restyle 2.0 AT 1375 kg, same 150 hp class, 0.1 s slower 0–100 (9.9 vs 9.8).
• 6 generation, restyling 1.6 MT 128 hp: 1300 / 1770 kg, 150 mm, 60 l.
• 4 generation 1.6 MT 105 hp: 1178 / 1730 kg, 160 mm, 53 l.
• 1 generation 1.5 MT 84 hp: 1040 / 1510 kg, 150 mm, 52 l.
• 3 generation Diesel 2.0 MT 113 hp: 1388 kg kerb.

kg/hp (kerb ÷ hp) among measured cars: N MT 5.16; N DCT 5.34; sixth 1.6 MT 204 hp 6.67; seventh 1.6 MT 201 hp 6.67; sixth 1.6 DCT 204 hp 6.81; seventh 1.6 DCT 201 hp 6.82; sixth 2.0 AT 150 hp 8.33; Hybrid 9.68; sixth-restyle 1.6 MT 128 hp 10.16; 1 generation 1.5 MT 12.38; fourth Diesel 85 hp 14.81.

Which version to choose

Want the smallest 0–100 number. Buy 7 generation or 7 generation, restyling N 2.0T DCT. 280 hp, 392 Nm, 140.1 hp/l, 5.3 s, 250 km/h, Robotic 8. The N 2.0T MT / N 2.0 T MT trades 0.5 s for a Manual 6, 50 kg less kerb, and 0.8 l/100 km less mixed (9.4 vs 10.2). That is the whole N choice: DCT for the clock, MT for kg/hp and litres. Both are FWD Gasoline Turbo 4 Inline, tank 47 l. Restyle N DCT adds a measured CO2 159 g/km, Euro 6, and 150 mm clearance (pre-restyle N DCT clearance not measured).

Want the 200 hp class without N mass. Sixth-generation 1.6 DCT 204 hp: 7.7 s, 210 km/h, 7.2 mixed, 1390 kg, 50 l tank, Euro 6, 163 g/km. The restyle 1.6 DCT 201 hp matches 7.7 s but top speed, consumption, kerb and CO2 are not measured; it does gain Independent, spring rear suspension versus the pre-restyle Semi-independent listing, and a 60 l tank. Seventh 1.6 DCT 201 hp (1598 cm³, 201 Nm — 64 Nm less than the sixth 265 Nm) is measured at 7.6 s / 225 km/h / 7.6 mixed / 1370 kg on the restyle: 15 km/h more top speed than sixth 204 hp DCT, 0.4 l/100 km more mixed, 20 kg less than 1390 kg. Peak torque is the differentiator: 265 Nm at 1500–4500 on the sixth turbos versus 201 Nm on the seventh 201 hp cars.

Want an automatic for commuting. 7 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 127 hp: 11.6 s, 195 km/h, 7.1 mixed, 1280 kg, 150 mm, Euro 6, 160 g/km, Automatic 6, FWD, Gasoline, boost No. If 0–100 near 10 s matters, 2.0 AT 150 hp on the same restyle: 9.8 s, 203 km/h, 1375 kg, 95 kg heavier, 23 hp more, mixed not measured. Sixth-restyle 2.0 AT 150 hp is fully measured (9.9 s, 7.4 mixed, 10.2 city, 1355 kg, 60 l) and is the better-documented 150 hp automatic. 1.6 Gamma 127 hp on the sixth restyle is the slow automatic of that body (11.6 s, 195 km/h) with city 8.9 / highway 5.6; mixed not measured.

Want a manual and low litres. Sixth-restyle 1.6 MT 128 hp: 10.1 s, 200 km/h, 6.5 mixed, 8.7 city, 5.2 highway, 148 g/km, 1300 kg, 60 l, 150 mm. Versus sixth pre-restyle 1.6 MT 128 hp: same 10.1 s / 200 km/h, 0.1 more mixed (6.6), 15 mm less clearance (135 vs 150), 10 l less tank (50 vs 60), 5 kg less kerb (1295 vs 1300). The restyle is the one if tank and clearance are the job. Fifth-restyle 1.6 MT 132 hp is 10.1 s / 200 km/h / 6.4 mixed at 1259 kg — 41 kg lighter than sixth-restyle 128 hp, 4 hp more, Euro 4 not Euro 5.

Want turbo torque in a small engine. Sixth-restyle 1.4 DCT: 128 hp, 212 Nm from 1353 cm³, 9.5 s, 1297 kg, Robotic 7, Direct injection (direct), Turbo. Same peak hp as 1.6 MT 128 hp, 57 Nm more, 0.6 s quicker, Drum rear brakes. Top speed, consumption, CO2, eco class, clearance: not measured. Seventh 1.4 DCT is 140 hp / 211 Nm / 11.6 s / 200 km/h / 1280 kg — 12 hp more than the sixth-restyle 1.4, yet 2.1 s slower 0–100; pre-restyle lists boost No and Robotic 6, restyle lists Turbo and Robotic 7. Treat those labels as the file gives them.

Want the lowest mixed consumption. Hybrid 1.6 DCT 139 hp, 4.4 l/100 km, 42 l tank, 1345 kg, Robotic 6, Turbo, Hybrid, FWD. Restyle 10.5 s / 178 km/h versus pre-restyle 10.8 s / 173 km/h. It is 4.9 s slower than N DCT and 172 km of extra mixed range versus N DCT on the tank arithmetic above. 1.5 CVT 115 hp is not a consumption pick: mixed, city, highway, 0–100 and kerb are not measured on either seventh body; restyle torque is 144 Nm versus 211 Nm pre-restyle.

LPG. Only 7 generation 1.6 AT 120 hp, 152 Nm, 1591 cm³, LPG, Turbo, Automatic 6, Euro 6, wheels 205/55 R16 and 225/45 R17. 0–100, top speed, consumption, kerb, gross, tank, CO2: not measured.

Diesel. 4 generation 1.6 MT 115 hp, 255 Nm, 6.1 mixed, 4.9 highway, 12.1 s, 184 km/h, 1260 kg — the Diesel that has a full consumption row. 1.6 MT 85 hp shares 255 Nm and 12.1 s / 184 km/h but consumption not measured, Drum rear brakes. 3 generation 2.0 MT 113 hp Diesel: 11.7 s, 190 km/h, 6.4 mixed, 1388 kg. 2 generation 1.9 MT 68 hp: 16.5 s. None of these are current-generation cars.

Coupe. Only 5 generation (2010-04-01–2015-04-30), body Coupe. 1.6 MT 132 hp Manual 6: 10.7 s, 200 km/h, 6.1 mixed, 1236 kg, 145 g/km, 48 l. 1.8 MT 150 hp 178 Nm: 9.3 s, 205 km/h, 8.3 mixed. 1.8 AT 150 hp: 10.2 s, 202 km/h. A later Coupe 1.6 MT 132 hp with Manual 5 (2012-06-01–2015-04-30) keeps 10.7 s / 202 km/h / 6.1 mixed at 1267 kg. Fifth-restyle is Sedan, not Coupe.

Oldest cars if the budget is a 1990s sedan. 1 generation 1.8 MT 127 hp: 10.0 s, 190 km/h, 1100 kg — still a 10.0 s car in 1990–1995 data. 1.5 MT 84 hp is 11.3 s / 170 km/h / 1040 kg. 2 generation 2.0 MT 139 hp at 8.6 s is quicker than most later 150 hp automatics until the sixth 2.0 MT.

What “stepping up” buys in arithmetic, not prices. Sixth-restyle 1.6 MT 128 hp → 2.0 MT 150 hp: +22 hp, +37 Nm, −1.3 s (10.1 to 8.8), +5 km/h, +0.5 mixed, +30 kg. 2.0 MT → 2.0 AT: +25 kg, +1.1 s, +0.4 mixed, two-pedal Automatic 6. 2.0 AT 150 hp → 1.6 DCT 201 hp: +51 hp, +73 Nm, −2.2 s if you use 7.7 s, gearbox becomes Robotic 7, consumption not measured on the restyle 201 hp DCT. 1.6 DCT 201 hp seventh restyle → N 2.0T DCT: +79 hp, +191 Nm, −2.3 s, +25 km/h, +125 kg, +2.6 mixed, tank still 47 l. Hybrid 1.6 DCT 139 hp versus 1.6 AT 127 hp: +12 hp, +37 Nm, −1.1 s (10.5 vs 11.6), −2.7 mixed (4.4 vs 7.1), +65 kg, −5 l tank, −10 mm clearance (140 vs 150).

Problems and reliability are not in the source; this page does not invent them. Where a cell is empty in the file it is written here as not measured. Version names are the catalogue strings — N 2.0 T MT and N 2.0T MT are two labels, 1.6 Gamma is not a 1.6 AT, and every 1.6 MT must be read with its horsepower.