2008 Hyundai Elantra Safety Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 31 Elantra reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra does well in government crash tests, and critics in general praise the 2008 Elantra's "comprehensive array of safety equipment," as Car and Driver puts it.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2008 Hyundai Elantra the highest score, “Good," for frontal crash tests, though they did not test it for side-impact crashes. And the 2008 Elantra earned a five-star rating in frontal impacts and four stars in side impacts. The Elantra also received four stars in rollover testing.
But despite high safety scores and favorable opinions of the safety features, the federal government is investigating 167,000 Elantras from the 2007 and 2008 model years because of reports of engine stalling and fuel pump trouble.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Hyundai Elantra's Accident Avoidance features are generally well-liked. Standard features include four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, which About.com writes "offer better braking performance in the rain." Other accident avoidance features include a new chassis with fully independent suspension, motor-driven rack-and-pinion steering and front and rear stabilizer bars.
Visibility is "good" from the driver's seat, says The Auto Channel. However, the Chicago Sun-Times observes that rear visibility is "hampered by roof pillars."
Crash Protection
Six air bags come standard, including two front air bags, two front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and two side curtain air bags. Cars.com is one of the reviewers to rave, "All five seats have head restraints, and the front ones ratchet forward for better whiplash protection. Nice."
