Car Model History

Fourth generation (HD) · HD · 2007–2010

2008Hyundai Elantra

A larger, better-equipped Elantra; the wagon-like Elantra Touring joined the US line for 2009. US model years 2007–2010.

Fourth generation (HD) · HD

2008 Hyundai Elantra — white 1.6 GLS sedan, rear three-quarter view

Photo: “File:Hyundai Elantra 1.6 GLS 2008 (9669520600).jpg” by order_242 from Chile / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
1offered2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four
Top output
138hp2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four

Body stylesFour-door sedan

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 2008 Hyundai Elantra model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 2008 Elantra

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

4factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory trim, body, engine, and transmission combinations represented by the cited exact-year lineup records. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from Hyundai Motor America — 2008 Elantra brochure.

4versions shown
Four-door sedan

Elantra GLS Manual

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four (138 hp ULEV / 132 hp PZEV)
Gearbox
5-speed Manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra GLS Automatic

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four (138 hp ULEV / 132 hp PZEV)
Gearbox
4-speed Automatic with overdrive
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra SE Manual

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four (138 hp ULEV / 132 hp PZEV)
Gearbox
5-speed Manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-door sedan

Elantra SE Automatic

Body
Four-door sedan
Engine
2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four (138 hp ULEV / 132 hp PZEV)
Gearbox
4-speed Automatic with overdrive
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 2008 model year

Overview

The 2008 US Elantra was a four-door HD-generation sedan sold in GLS and SE trims. Both used Hyundai's 2.0-liter CVVT inline-four and offered a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic; the SE added stability control, traction control, Brake Assist, 16-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, and upgraded cabin trim.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four138 hp
Body styles
Four-door sedan

Year over year

What changed

  • GLS and SE formed the two-trim US sedan lineup.
  • Both trims offered five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions.
  • The federal ULEV engine was rated at 138 hp; the PZEV calibration was rated at 132 hp.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The brochure listed four-wheel disc brakes and independent suspension on both trims.
  • SE made electronic stability and traction control standard.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Confirm whether a car has the ULEV or PZEV calibration before ordering emissions-related parts.
  • GLS and SE differ in stability-control equipment, wheels, and option-package content, so trim identification matters for replacement components.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 2008 Elantra on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 2008 Hyundai Elantra. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
7
Factory intervals
7
Fitment-scoped
7
Exact references
2

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Exact reference available

    The severe-use interval is 3,000 miles. Baldwin lists B7243 for this cataloged Elantra engine; this establishes fitment only, not the service interval.

    Applies to: 2008 · 2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four · United States · Cataloged engine application; confirm VIN and installed engine before ordering.

    Published interval: 7,500 mi · Normal usage.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Validated equivalentBaldwin B7243

      Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed

      Cataloged for the 2008 Elantra 2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four; confirm VIN and installed engine before ordering.

      Catalog: Baldwin Filters — 2017 Automotive Applications catalog · Printed catalog page 319, Hyundai 2008 Elantra 2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four row — Lube — B7243 · checked

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  • Engine air-cleaner filter

    Exact reference available

    Inspect every 7,500 miles; replace more frequently under severe use. Baldwin catalog fitment is shown separately from the published service interval.

    Applies to: 2008 · 2.0L DOHC CVVT inline-four · United States · Cataloged engine application; confirm VIN and installed engine before ordering.

    Published interval: 30,000 mi · Normal-usage replacement interval.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Climate-control air filter

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2008 · United States

    Published interval: 10,000 mi / 12 months · Whichever comes first; replace more frequently under severe use.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Platinum-coated plugs

    Applies to: 2008 · United States

    Published interval: 60,000 mi · Normal usage; replace more frequently under severe use.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

    Iridium-coated plugs

    Applies to: 2008 · United States

    Published interval: 100,000 mi · Normal usage; replace more frequently under severe use.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 2008 · United States

    Published interval: 25,000 mi / 24 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

  • Automatic transaxle fluid

    Sourced interval available

    The severe-use replacement interval is 30,000 miles.

    Applies to: 2008 · United States

    Published interval: 105,000 mi · Normal usage.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

  • Timing belt

    Sourced interval available

    Inspect at 60,000 miles; the severe-use replacement interval is 60,000 miles.

    Applies to: 2008 · United States

    Published interval: 90,000 mi · Normal-usage replacement interval.

    Source: Hyundai — 2008 Elantra Quick Reference Guide · PDF page 1 — Scheduled Maintenance table · checked

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Hyundai Motor America — 2008 Elantra brochure

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