In this article, we take a deep dive into the world of roof racks for the Hyundai Elantra.
We tested a lot of different roof racks first hand in order to make our recommendations. We considered factors like the build quality, load capacity, and design of each option.
Our top recommendation must go to the Auxmart Universal Roof Rack. It is a fully adjustable roof rack for the Hyundai Elantra that also features high load capacity. It is also easier to install than your run of the mill roof racks.
If you’re looking for a good recommendation for Hyundai Elantra roof racks, you came to the right place. We have been testing vehicle accessories for over a decade so we know our stuff and can help you make a better buying decision.
Keep reading for more information about the Auxmart and other roof racks for the Hyundai Elantra.
AUXMART Universal Roof Rack
Overall Best
Auxmart’s roof rack for the Hyundai Elantra has a bunch of compelling goodies to offer. The build quality is robust and durable. Installing this rack is a breeze, and you also get a higher load capacity than other racks.
Our time with the Auxmart roof rack showed us that this rack is built tough. The aluminium construction is nice and rigid. It does not bend or give under strain. The whole setup sits firmly on your Hyundai Elantra’s roof, inspiring a lot of confidence while carrying luggage.
The aluminium build has other benefits as well. Namely, it is lighter than materials like steel. That makes it easier to mount. It is also quite compact, freeing up usable space for carrying cargo on the Hyundai Elantra.
Aluminium also resists rust and corrosion, so you can rest assured knowing that your roof rack won’t be damaged by the elements. The design is also really low profile so it doesn’t jut out too much from the Hyundai Elantra’s roofline. This is important for aerodynamics and keeps wind resistance to a minimum.
Wind noise in the Hyundai Elantra’s interior is not as noticeable as with other roof racks, and we did not notice an appreciable drop in fuel mileage either.
This roof rack can hold a good 150 lbs of cargo. That is higher than most other Hyundai Elantra roof racks, so you can carry suitcases, heavy equipment, and anything else you need with confidence.
We tested each roof rack in a variety of situations. Auxmart’s offering performed well in all situations, keeping luggage in place even at speed. It uses a secure mounting system with tight clamps integrated into the roof rack itself.
Installation is a simple and straightforward process. All of the hardware is included in the package, instructions are clear and concise, and you won’t need to drill into the Hyundai Elantra or make any other major modifications.
Among other features of this rack, we especially appreciate the rubber lining on all of the clamps and contact points. These keep your Hyundai Elantra’s bodywork free of scratches, dents and blemishes. The rubber also reduces potential slippage of the rack at speed.
Pros
- Aluminium build
- Lightweight and durable
- Resists corrosion and rusting
- Very rigid and firm
- Compact design
- More space for your luggage
- Aerodynamic styling
- Less air resistance
- No wind noise
- Fuel mileage is not affected
- 150 lbs load capacity
- Tight clamps integrated into the roof rack
- Quick and easy installation
- All mounting hardware included in the package
- Rubber lining on the clamps increase grip
- Does not damage car’s body or paint
Cons
- Few plastic parts used here and there
Summates Universal Roof Top Cargo Racks
Best Budget
This budget friendly Hyundai Elantra roof rack is as high quality as it is affordable. It combines a durable build with a surprisingly high load capacity rating. The install process is also pretty easy.
Our initial impressions of most budget Hyundai Elantra roof racks are always pretty sceptical. However, this rack from Summates surprised us with its impressive build quality. It uses aluminium for most of the design. The whole setup is lighter than your average roof rack, making it a more appealing option.
The whole rack is treated with a metallic silver marine grade powder coat finish. This keeps it free from rust and also makes it look more premium than the price tag would suggest.
Installation was very easy. All of the relevant hardware is provided in the package, saving you a trip to the store. The instructions are kind of hard to follow but they do the trick. You will be happy to find that no drilling or cutting of Hyundai Elantra parts was required. The installation is completely bolt on.
The width of the rack is adjustable so you can get a tight and precise fit. We performed a number of stress tests on the rack, trying to take it off the car by force, but it was as solid as a rock and did not budge.
We were even more surprised by the load capacity of this budget roof rack for the Hyundai Elantra. It is rated for just under 200 lbs, and we can attest to each ounce! Even fully loaded up with luggage, coolers, surfboards, snowboards, fishing and camping equipment, the rack did not bend or flex.
But surely there must be a catch with a budget roof rack that performs that well? Lots of wind noise? Lots of buffeting at speed? Aha! It must turn your Hyundai Elantra into a gas guzzling beast! Actually, none of the above. Yep, we are just as surprised as you.
Finally, to make the whole package even more appealing, this roof rack comes with a locking mechanism. So you won’t have to come out of the grocery store and see your luggage missing, rack and all.
Pros
- Aluminium construction
- Lightweight build
- Silver marine grade powder coating
- Resists corrosion
- Easy to install
- Mounting hardware is included
- No drilling or cutting required
- Fits onto roof tightly
- Almost 200 lbs load capacity
- Does not bend or flex under strain
- Aerodynamic styling
- No wind noise
- No buffeting
- Mileage is not affected
- Lockable design
- Budget friendly price
Cons
- Instructions could be a bit clear
Leader Accessories Upgraded Roof Rack
Premium Choice
Leader Accessories’ Upgraded Roof Rack provides a lot of utility. It is well built and designed with aerodynamics in mind. The larger surface area gives you more room for storage on your Hyundai Elantra.
This rack uses the highest quality alloy steel which is reinforced for better rigidity. Alloy steel is not as lightweight as aluminium, but it is still very robust and provides a firm fit. Personally, we were very confident loading our valuable luggage onto the Hyundai Elantra with this rack.
An obvious drawback of steel is its tendency to rust and corrode. Leader Accessories address this concern with a black powder coating on the whole rack. Besides keeping the steel safe from rust, it also looks a lot cooler, especially on piano black Hyundai Elantras.
The luggage holder is nice and spacious. We were able to fit most of our cargo for a weekend trip on the luggage carrier without any problems. The wider proportions also allow you to fit physically larger items and irregularly shaped cargo on the Hyundai Elantra easily.
Now, onto the loading capacity. 150 lbs is the manufacturer rating for this roof rack. However, we found that we could load on a little bit more onto the Hyundai Elantra if the luggage was evenly distributed and tied down securely.
You will be surprised to find that this behemoth of a roof rack is actually quite aerodynamic. Leader Accessories opted to install a special wind deflector piece up front. This allows air to glide over the Hyundai Elantra without being obstructed, reducing drag and wind resistance.
We can also report that there is no excessive wind noise in the interior of our Hyundai Elantra with this roof rack installed. Fuel consumption is somewhat lower, but not as much as you would expect for such a large rack. And to be honest, most people can probably afford 0.3 miles per gallon worse mileage.
Installing this rack on the Hyundai Elantra is no great feat. You are provided with all of the necessary hardware in the box and you can do it at home, with only a couple tools needed. Universal U-Bolts are an absolute godsend and make your job that much easier.
All said and done, this is an awesome roof rack for the Hyundai Elantra, and delivers all of the functionality and utility you could ever need. It is well built and durable, with lots of attention to detail in the design.
Pros
- Alloy steel design
- Black powder coat
- Corrosion resistant
- Larger cargo area
- Integrated wind deflector
- No wind resistance or noise in the cabin
- Easy to install
- 150 lbs load capacity
- U-Bolts for easier mounting
Cons
- Slight drop in mileage
Seah Hardware Universal Roof Rack
Worthy Consideration
Seah Hardware’s Universal roof rack is another really well built rack that demands your attention. It is adjustable for a more snug fit on the Hyundai Elantra and well built enough to make it onto our list.
The construction of this universal rack is one of its defining features. The alloy steel design is very minimalist and compact, giving you more usable space for storing luggage on the Hyundai Elantra. It is also more durable than the look initially suggests.
This roof rack is much lighter than the larger options on this list. We highly recommend it for the Hyundai Elantra driver who only really needs a smaller rack that is less noticeable.
A thick powder coating looks nice but also keeps the roof rack free of scratches and corrosion. We also liked the use of straps for mounting the rack to the roof. It is very secure and stable. The straps go through your Hyundai Elantra’s door frame and connect inside, providing bulletproof fitment.
As for the installation process itself, this is without a doubt the easiest and fastest rack to get installed on the Hyundai Elantra. All you have to do is get the rack positioned on your roof, connect the straps inside, and use the convenient ratchet tie downs to get it perfectly tightened.
One drawback of the smaller size and sleeker design is a lower maximum load capacity. It is rated for the usual 150 lbs, but in our experience, the real number is closer to 125 lbs. That is still plenty for most use cases like camping trips, luggage carrying, etc.
On the other hand, the low profile design benefits aerodynamics. We did not get any buffeting or air resistance with this rack installed. Wind noise inside the Hyundai Elantra was a non-issue. And in a strange turn of events, we ended up getting slightly better mileage with this rack! And while user error and environmental factors are two plausible causes, we have not completely ruled out black magic and supernatural forces!
In summation, the Seah Universal roof rack is another cool option for the Hyundai Elantra. It is well built and durable, while also providing decent load capacity. The biggest advantage of this rack is the compact design and the ease of installation.
Pros
- Alloy steel build
- Powder coated
- No rusting or corrosion
- Low profile design
- Easiest installation
- Ratchet straps for better fitment
- Not as bulky as other roof racks
- Good load capacity
- More space for cargo
- No wind noise or resistance at speed
- Budget friendly price
Cons
- Load capacity is not the highest
