A roof rack adds a lot of utility to your Hyundai Elantra. And finding a quality one is paramount.
After getting one, you’ll be able to mount bikes, kayaks, or even a roof box. There are two prevailing styles of universal racks.
One uses straps to slide underneath your roof, and the other mounts your window frames.
We’ll take a look at options in each category!
Here are the 4 best roof racks for Hyundai Elantras:
1. Seah Hardware Universal Roof Rack Cross-Bars 2 PC. 48 Inches
Seah Hardware’s rack raises some eyebrows in a good way. To get a two piece rack system capable of hauling a roof box for such a price is exceptional.
But it’s also very easy to install. There’s no drilling and you can get some peace of mind as you’ll be able to see how secure it is, from the driver’s seat.
After you lay these one top on your car, the straps you can see pictured are going to sit inside the cabin. You’ll then be able to tighten them from inside your car.
Is this the best thing for a long term solution? No, we think if someone wants a permanent rack then the metal options that clamp in the door frame suit that purpose better.
But if you’re hauling bikes once in a while, or equipment to your favorite outdoors spot then this serves a great purpose. You’ll be able to easily assemble and disassemble this while having faith in its steel cross beams to keep your valuables sitting pretty.
Considering its price, it’s an economical solution and one of the best values in this guide.
2. MPH 2Pcs 49" (125cm) Universal Fit Oval Black Adjustable Aluminum Window Frame Roof Rack Rail Cross Bars Utility Cargo Carrier 3 Pairs Mounting Clamps
As we alluded to in the last section, the MPH style of rack is better suited for someone who wants a long term rack sitting on their Elantra.
This comes with all the mounting equipment you’ll need to get it locked snugly onto your hood.
And it does lock.
Those knobs on the side are hand tightened, once you get it dug into the roof well it will stay put. There’s a lot of competition in the universal rack category, and the MPH is one of the most highly reviewed option.
But to be relevant, it still has to compete on price. And luckily for you, it does. This system is our favorite for a longer term solution. Not everything is perfect though. It does have some plastic components.
In the ideal world, a longer term solution would have the least amount of plastic is possible. Especially if it’s going to be under a weight load or constant use. But it has overwhelmingly favorable reviews and for that reason along with everything else, we think it’s a great buy.
For weight capacity, this can hold up to 150 lbs and the crossbars are made of aluminum.
3. HandiRack Universal Inflatable Roof Rack Bars (Black); Tie-downs Included; Fits Most Cars and SUVs
The HandiRack is innovative, and they’ve had the bright idea of using an inflatable rack to add utility to nearly every kind of vehicle.
Similar to Seah Hardware’s universal design, this will loop under your door frame to stay put.
But there’s nothing to mount outside of that. You just inflate the tubes that lay flat on the hood of your car. They include all the equipment. After your done it is super easy to store. The easiest on this list. Because there are no “hard” components you can fold it up and keep it in a bag or the back seat of your car.
It’s versatility makes it unique. But it has a limited range of uses compared to a traditional rack with traditional mounts. If you’re a kayak enthusiast or you plan to haul longer shaped items, great. This will be a solid choice.
But if you want a more general use rack, consider other options.
4. SportRack Complete Roof Rack System, Black(2 separate pieces)
The SportRack has a similar design to MPH. It’s different for sure, but similar.
This adjusts to sit snug under your door frames and locks into place with the included key.
We like it because there’s more metal and less plastic. But with that fact comes a bit of a higher price. For a longer term solution it’s between this and the MPH. With this having the slight edge if you are okay with the price.
Installation for this unit is the number one thing that customers gripe about. Since an Elantra has a curved roof read the instructions carefully. There is a distance you must set the bars to before tightening which is included in the book.
Outside of that hassle, we think this is an awesome unit!
FAQS
I’m planning on hauling a bicycle, do I need a roof rack?
If you’re looking to carry a bicycle there are more options than just mounting it to your roof. In fact, we wrote a guide on it here for Elantra owners.
The quick and easy of it is that a roof rack system will cost you more money than more affordable alternatives like the tension fit systems. You could also get a hitch installed and add a bike there.
What other things can I use a roof rack for?
Outdoorsy types love roof racks because for nearly every sport with large equipment there is an equivalent mount. There are kayak mounts, bike mounts, snowboard mounts, ski mounts, and if you want all your stuff in one place you can just go and grab a roof box. Only after you get a roof rack though!
Are there any roof racks made specifically for an Elantra?
You’ll have to settle for finding the right universal rack for your vehicle. Lots of SUVs and crossovers have side bars, and that makes finding a roof rack easier because there are options that clamp over those bars.
But for an Elantra owner the universal options can be decent as well! And we’ve included those choices in this list.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this guide has helped you pick the best option for your Hyundai Elantra. Getting a roof rack is a lovely upgrade that instantly boosts the utility of your vehicle. You’ll be able to do outdoorsy things without a worry.
For us, we think one of the best values in this list is the Seah Hardware universal rack. And if you want something a bit more heavy duty, you can’t go wrong with the MPH universal rack!
Whatever you end up choosing, let us know how it works out. We love hearing from our readers and thank you for stopping by.