Hyundai Elantra History
Hyundai's long-running compact — seven generations from 1990 to today, now topped by the performance Elantra N.
Photo: “Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS 1992” by order_242 from Chile / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The complete year archive
Every model year
Browse the Hyundai Elantra year by year, or narrow the archive by generation, body style, engine, and highlights.
- Model years
- 35
- Generations
- 7
- Archive span
- 1992–2026
Photo: “Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS 1992” by order_242 from Chile / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Photo: “Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS 1999” by RL GNZLZ from Chile / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Photo: “2003 Hyundai Elantra (XD) GLS sedan” by OSX / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
Photo: “2007 Hyundai Elantra” by IFCAR / Wikimedia Commons — Public domain. Cropped to 16:9.
Photo: “2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring GLS, front left (Douglaston)” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Photo: “2017 Hyundai Elantra US front1” by Whydoesitfeelsogood / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Photo: “Hyundai Elantra N (2024)” by Charles from Port Chester, New York / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
History
Launched in Korea in 1990 and reaching the US for the 1992 model year, the Elantra grew from a value-priced compact into a genuine class contender across seven generations.
The dramatically redesigned seventh-generation (CN7) car arrived for 2021 and added the brand's first true performance Elantra — the roughly 276-hp Elantra N — for 2022, giving the once-anonymous compact an enthusiast halo.
Generations
First generation (J1) · J1
The original Elantra — a compact sedan that brought Hyundai into the class, initially using Mitsubishi-derived engineering. US sales began for the 1992 model year and the J1 ran through 1995.
Second generation (J2/RD) · J2/RD ('Avante' in Korea)
A rounder, more modern Elantra sold as the 'Avante' in South Korea; added a wagon body in some markets. US model years 1996–2000.
Third generation (XD) · XD
The XD standardized the 'Elantra' name across markets and grew the car in size and content as Hyundai's quality reputation improved. US model years 2001–2006.
Fourth generation (HD) · HD
A larger, better-equipped Elantra; the wagon-like Elantra Touring joined the US line for 2009. US model years 2007–2010.
Fifth generation (MD) · MD
Hyundai's 'Fluidic Sculpture' design era; a strong seller that briefly offered an Elantra Coupe (2013–2014) and the Elantra GT hatchback. US model years 2011–2016.
Sixth generation (AD) · AD
A more conservative, refined Elantra; the Elantra GT hatchback continued before being dropped in 2020 as Hyundai expanded its SUV range. US model years 2017–2020.
Seventh generation (CN7) · CN7
A dramatically redesigned, sharply creased Elantra on a new platform, with hybrid and — for the first time — the genuine-performance Elantra N (2022). The generation that gave the Elantra an enthusiast halo.
Famous Elantra variants
The nameplates that define the Elantra — each with its own cross-year history, engines, production, and collectibility.
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Related models
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Find a scale model of the Hyundai Elantra
Search Amazon across available years, colors, and scales. Exact releases vary, so confirm the listing before ordering.