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2020 Hyundai Elantra

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Class: Midsize Cars
Body styles: 4dr Sedan, GT 5dr Hatchback
Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Horsepower: 147–161 hp
Transmission: CVT, 6-speed automatic
Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Seats: 5
Fuel: Regular Gasoline
MPG (best): 36 combined · 33 city / 41 hwy
Length: 171.7–181.9 in
Curb weight: 2,822–2,943 lb
NHTSA rating: ★★★★★
Recalls: 3 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

Excellent fuel economyUp to 36 MPG combined — 30% better than the average 2020 midsize car (27.6 MPG).

Watch out for

Modest powerUp to 161 hp, versus about 205 hp for similar 2020 models.
Many owner complaints262 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 31 for similar models — most often about the engine.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is a midsize car offered with 3 engines (1.4L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 182 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,822 lb (4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 36 MPG combined (33 city / 41 highway), 30% better than the 2020 midsize car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,850 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 262 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Elantra — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Elantra →

Trims, performance & features

Engine147–161 hp2.0L 4-cyl

TransmissionCVT · 6-speed automatic

DriveFWD

Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

SEL, Value Edition & LimitedSEElantra GT

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard

Forward collision warningStandard

Blind-spot monitoringSome trims

Lane departure warningStandard

Lane keeping assistStandard

Adaptive cruise controlOptional

Backup cameraStandard

Automatic high beamsStandard

Keyless startOptional

Built in: Ulsan, South Korea

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2020 Elantra configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

Body	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Track F / R	Curb weight	Weight F/R
4dr Sedan	181.9 in	70.9 in	56.7 in	106.3 in	61.4 / 61 in	2,822 lb	61/39
GT 5dr Hatchback	171.7 in	70.1 in	56.3 in	104.3 in	61 / 61.8 in	2,943 lb

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City / Hwy / Comb	vs. class	Fuel / yr	CO₂ g/mi
Elantra	1.4L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM7)	Front-Wheel Drive	33 / 41 / 36	+30%	$1,850	250
Elantra SE	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	31 / 41 / 35	+27%	$1,900	259
Elantra	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Front-Wheel Drive	30 / 40 / 34	+23%	$1,950	264
Elantra	2.0L 4-cyl	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	26 / 37 / 30	+9%	$2,250	301
Elantra	1.6L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM7)	Front-Wheel Drive	26 / 33 / 29	+5%	$2,300	310
Elantra GT	1.6L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic (AM-S7)	Front-Wheel Drive	25 / 32 / 28	+20%	$2,400	322
Elantra GT	2.0L 4-cyl	Automatic (S6)	Front-Wheel Drive	25 / 32 / 27	+16%	$2,500	327
Elantra GT	1.6L 4-cyl turbo	Manual 6-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	23 / 30 / 26	+12%	$2,600	352

8/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)

8/10EPA greenhouse gas score

Save $2,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car

27.6 MPG2020 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

Version	Overall	Frontal	Driver / passenger	Side	Side pole	Rollover	Rollover risk
2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD	★★★★★	★★★★★	4★ / 4★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	10.7%

StandardElectronic stability control

StandardForward collision warning

StandardLane departure warning

Frontal crash test — 2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Side crash test — 2020 Hyundai Elantra 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 midsize cars

Model	Best MPG / range	NHTSA overall	Recalls
2020 Hyundai Elantra (this car)	36 MPG	★★★★★	3
2020 Toyota Corolla	52 MPG	★★★★★	6
2020 Honda Civic	36 MPG	★★★★★	5
2020 Nissan GT-R	18 MPG	Not rated	0
2020 Toyota Prius	56 MPG	★★★★★	0
2020 Mazda 3	30 MPG	Not rated	0
2020 Subaru Impreza	31 MPG	★★★★★	1

Recalls (3)

Engine · Apr 28, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V301000 · 158,493 vehicles

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Risk: A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, oil may leak onto hot exhaust components, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the engine, free of charge. In addition, Hyundai will deploy Piston Ring Noise Sensing System (PNSS) software. Owner notification letters were mailed August 24, 2021. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · Oct 9, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V720000 · 48 vehicles

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: A wheel detaching from the vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, tighten the lug nuts, free of charge. The recall began November 15, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-800-251-0871. Hyundai's number for this recall is 184.

Suspension › Front › Control Arm › Lower Ball Joint · Oct 9, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V721000 · 744 vehicles

Problem: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
Risk: A detached ball joint can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the ball joint fasteners, free of charge. The recall began November 20, 2019. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460. Hyundai's number for this recall is 185.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Hyundai Elantra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

262Complaints to NHTSA since 2015

21Involved a crash

6Involved a fire

16Injuries reported

10,000 miTypical mileage at failure

Engine115

Power Train46

Unknown Or Other27

Exterior Lighting27

Electrical System26

Steering20

Service Brakes13

Vehicle Speed Control11

Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Hyundai Elantra buyer's checklist

Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
Engine — 115 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
Power Train — 46 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
Exterior Lighting — 27 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 10,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Hyundai Elantra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Elantra years

Compare all years →

Year	MPG (best)	Length	Overall	Recalls	Complaints
2026 Elantra	54	185.4 in	Not rated	4	4
2025 Elantra	54	185.4 in	★★★★★	2	34
2024 Elantra	54	185.4 in	★★★★★	2	63
2023 Elantra	54	183.9 in	★★★★★	4	170
2022 Elantra	54	183.9 in	★★★★★	8	159
2021 Elantra	54	183.9 in	★★★★★	7	162
2019 Elantra	35	181.9 in	★★★★★	1	266
2018 Elantra	35	179.9 in	★★★★★	1	335
2017 Elantra	35	179.9 in	★★★★★	4	796
2016 Elantra	31	179.1 in	★★★★★	2	300
2015 Elantra	31	179.1 in	★★★★★	3	261
2014 Elantra	31	179.1 in	★★★★★	2	378

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Hyundai. How we calculate this →