7 Quirky Issues with the 2020 Hyundai Elantra (And Why You'll Still Love It)

When it comes to compact sedans the 2020 Hyundai Elantra has earned its reputation as a solid contender in a crowded field. It's affordable fuel-efficient and packs a surprising amount of tech for its price. But like any car it's not without its quirks. Today we're diving into the most common problems you might encounter with this model sprinkled with some humor and real-world insights to make things interesting. Let’s explore what can go wrong but also why you shouldn’t let these glitches steer you away from considering the 2020 Elantra.

Powertrain Puzzles: Not as Zippy as Advertised?

When you hear “2.0L 4-cylinder” you’re not exactly thinking Ferrari levels of horsepower but you'd expect more pep than what the Elantra delivers. At 147 horsepower the Elantra isn’t exactly sluggish but it’s definitely not winning any drag races either.

Transmission Troubles: Is It Just You or the Gearbox?

Many owners have reported their continuously variable transmission (CVT) acting a little...well moody. It’s supposed to offer smooth shifting but instead you might feel a few jerks now and then especially at lower speeds. Drivers have noticed a “rubber band” effect when accelerating. As Alex Collantes a regular Hyundai Elantra driver says:

"I love my Elantra but sometimes it feels like the transmission is on a coffee break when I need to merge onto the highway!"

For a car designed to be a smooth urban cruiser that’s not exactly a confidence booster when you’re trying to keep up with traffic.

What Causes These Transmission Issues?

The Elantra’s CVT is designed to optimize fuel efficiency but it's also known to be a bit sensitive. If you're the kind of driver who likes to accelerate hard you may notice more of these jerky transitions than the average commuter.

Should You Be Concerned?

This problem won’t leave you stranded on the side of the road but it might make your driving experience feel less refined. Some drivers find it annoying others barely notice. Hyundai has addressed this with software updates but if you're still experiencing issues you might need a dealership visit.

Braking: Stopping Power Could Be Better (Or Could It?)

For most people the brakes on the 2020 Hyundai Elantra are fine. They’ll stop you when you need to stop which is really all you’re asking for right? Well not exactly. Some Elantra owners have reported that the brakes feel a bit soft almost like you're pressing a marshmallow with your foot.

A Little Too Much Travel

There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve got to stand on the brake pedal to come to a full stop. Hyundai’s Elantra brakes can sometimes have too much travel meaning you have to press the pedal further down than expected. Alex Collantes mentioned:

"It's like I'm doing leg day at the gym every time I stop at a red light!"

Are the Brakes Unsafe?

No not really. The brakes still perform fine in most conditions but if you're used to a car with sharper stopping power you might feel uneasy at first.

Brake Pad Wear: An Ongoing Concern

Some users have also reported premature wear on brake pads meaning you might have to replace them more often than expected. If you do a lot of city driving (and a lot of stop-and-go traffic) this could get frustrating and expensive over time.

Infotainment System: Tech Woes That Are Too Relatable

The 2020 Elantra comes loaded with tech at least for a compact sedan in its price range. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard which is awesome when they work. However several drivers have noted their infotainment systems randomly reboot themselves or freeze up just when they’re about to change a song or plug in a new destination into their maps.

When the Screen Freezes

There's nothing quite like staring at a frozen infotainment screen when you’re driving—especially when you’re mid-Spotify shuffle. Many have found this bug popping up more often after long drives. One driver humorously described it as:

"It's like my car’s computer is practicing social distancing from my finger taps!"

Why Does the Infotainment Glitch?

There are several reasons this could happen. It might be a connectivity issue with your phone sometimes it’s the car’s software itself or it could even be the result of a simple bug. Hyundai has released software patches to fix these problems but if you're still dealing with this issue it's worth asking your dealer for an update.

Fixes and Quick Tips

In most cases a hard reset (turning the car off and on) will solve the problem at least temporarily. But if this happens frequently consider scheduling a service appointment to see if a more permanent fix is available.

Cabin Noise: Is the Elantra Whispering or Shouting?

Compact sedans are not exactly known for their luxury car-like isolation but some 2020 Hyundai Elantra owners have noticed an unusual amount of road noise especially at higher speeds.

Not as Quiet as a Mouse

You might be expecting a peaceful commute only to be serenaded by the constant hum of the tires and wind hitting the mirrors. Alex Collantes had a great take on this:

"Sometimes I wonder if my Elantra is trying to harmonize with the wind... though we’re definitely not in tune!"

What’s Causing the Cabin Noise?

The Elantra’s cabin isn’t as insulated as higher-end sedans so naturally you’ll hear more external noise. This is especially noticeable on highways or rougher surfaces where tire noise can creep in.

Can You Fix It?

Short of investing in some higher-quality tires or paying for aftermarket insulation there’s not much you can do about it. For most drivers this isn’t a dealbreaker but it’s something to consider if you're used to a quieter ride.

Fuel Efficiency: Good... But Not Perfect

The 2020 Elantra’s fuel efficiency is one of its strongest selling points but even that has its quirks. The EPA estimates 31 mpg city and 41 mpg highway which sounds fantastic until you realize real-world results might not always match up to these numbers.

Some Drivers Are Getting Less

Depending on your driving style you might find that your Elantra falls a little short of these lofty figures. Heavy-footed drivers will likely see lower returns especially in stop-and-go traffic. Alex Collantes summed it up nicely:

"I think the Elantra gets great gas mileage... except when I'm late for work!"

What's Going On?

The discrepancy between EPA estimates and real-world driving isn't unique to Hyundai. The EPA tests under specific conditions that often don’t match everyday driving. Factors like speed weather and how aggressively you drive all play a role.

How to Maximize Fuel Efficiency

To get the best out of your Elantra drive more conservatively avoid hard acceleration and make sure your tire pressure is properly maintained. Small adjustments can help you come closer to those 41 mpg numbers even if you’re in a rush.

Reliability: Check Engine Light Blues

One of the more frustrating issues with the 2020 Elantra is that pesky check engine light coming on. It’s the automotive equivalent of your laptop's “blue screen of death”—sudden ominous and usually not something you want to deal with on a Tuesday morning.

Common Culprit: Emission System

For many Elantra drivers the check engine light has been traced back to problems with the emissions control system. While this might sound alarming it’s often just a faulty sensor and nothing more serious.

Is It Dangerous?

Not usually. In most cases this is an annoyance rather than a serious problem but if you’re someone who panics at the sight of a dashboard warning it can make you sweat.

Dealing with the Issue

You can head to the dealership for a diagnostic test or in some cases even a basic OBD-II scanner can give you an idea of what's wrong. If it's just a sensor issue it’s usually a quick fix but ignoring it for too long could potentially cause bigger issues down the road.

Ride Comfort: Smooth...ish?

The 2020 Elantra tries its best to provide a comfortable ride and in many ways it succeeds. For city driving it's smooth enough but once you hit rougher roads or speed bumps you might feel like you’re bouncing around a bit more than you’d like.

Suspension Could Be Softer

The suspension on the Elantra is tuned for efficiency not luxury so you’re going to feel some of the bumps in the road. Alex Collantes shared his thoughts on this:

"It’s comfortable until I hit a pothole and then it’s like my Elantra and I are starring in an action movie!"

Should You Worry?

This isn't a major issue unless you're driving on particularly rough roads all the time. It’s something to consider if comfort is a high priority for you but for most it’s a minor inconvenience.

How to Improve Ride Quality

You could switch out the stock tires for something a bit softer or consider an aftermarket suspension upgrade if the ride quality really bothers you but that’s an additional cost not everyone will want to take on.

In Conclusion: Still Worth the Buy?

Let’s face it no car is perfect and the 2020 Hyundai Elantra has its quirks. Yes you might deal with a finicky transmission a little more road noise than you’d like and a check engine light that comes on too often. But these issues are generally minor and can be easily addressed. For the price the fuel efficiency the tech features and the overall reliability make the Elantra a strong contender in the compact sedan market.

As Alex Collantes said:

"At the end of the day my Elantra is a trusty ride. It’s not perfect but it gets me where I need to go and it’s packed with features I didn’t expect at this price."

So while there are a few bumps in the road (literally) the 2020 Elantra remains a solid choice for budget-conscious drivers looking for a reliable and feature-rich vehicle without breaking the bank.