The 2026 Hyundai Elantra gets 23 to 54 miles per gallon combined, depending on the version. The best is the 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue at 54 mpg; the best regular gas version is the 2026 Elantra w/Stop-Start (4-cyl 2.0 L) at 35 mpg.
In the Midsize Cars class for 2026, the Elantra ranks 2nd of 26 for combined mileage (54 mpg), 2nd of 24 for yearly fuel cost ($1,150 for its cheapest version, cheapest first) and 5th of 26 for tailpipe CO2 (165 grams per mile for its lowest version, lowest first). The middle model of the class gets 28 mpg, costs $2,400 a year and puts out 282.5 grams per mile.
Across all 235 2026 models in the file that burn fuel, the middle best-version figure is 24 mpg and the highest is 57 mpg (Toyota Prius). Of the 234 other models, 1 gets more miles per gallon than the 2026 Elantra's best version, no other model gets the same and 233 get less. The 2026 Elantra's cheapest version costs $1,150 a year to fuel by the agency's figure; of the 225 other models with a cost figure, 1 costs less, 1 the same and 223 more.
Open the best-mileage list of this class for 2026. Cost and CO2 in the table are each model's lowest figure over its versions; plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell versions have no fuel cost and are left out of the cost column.
| Place | Model | Best version | mpg | Fuel a year, cheapest version | CO2 g/mi, lowest version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2026 Toyota Prius | 2026 Prius | 57 | $1,100 | 155 |
| 2 | 2026 Hyundai ElantraThis car | 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue | 54 | $1,150 | 165 |
| 3 | 2026 Toyota Camry | 2026 Camry HEV FF LE | 51 | $1,200 | 173 |
| 4 | 2026 Honda Civic | 2026 Civic 4Dr (Hybrid, 4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)) | 49 | $1,250 | 181 |
| 5 | 2026 Lexus ES | 2026 ES 350h | 46 | $1,700 | 191 |
Pick a 2026 version, then set your miles and fuel price. Fuel price as of 2026-11-14, U.S. Department of Energy / EPA. The price box starts at the dated price of the fuel the picked version burns (regular, midgrade or premium gasoline, diesel, E85 or electricity) and sets the price of that fuel. Miles are limited to 1,000 to 60,000 a year and the price to $0.01 to $20.00; a value outside that is worked out at the nearest limit.
2026 Elantra w/Stop-Start, 4-cyl 2.0 L: 31 mpg city, 40 highway, 35 combined. The agency's own estimate for the 2026 Elantra version is $1,800 a year (15,000 miles, the agency's fuel prices).
The 3 nearest rivals in the Midsize Cars class for 2026, picked by closest combined mileage; only versions with a fuel-cost figure are listed. Same miles as on the left. The price box on the left is the price of the fuel of the version you picked: a rival that burns the same fuel uses that price, a rival that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. The 5-year line is 5 times the yearly gap.
The Camry costs $538 less to fuel each year.
Over 5 years the Camry costs $2,690 less to fuel than the Elantra (5 times the yearly difference, at these miles and these prices).
Dollar gaps use each car's best-mileage version.
| Rival in 2026 | Best version | Combined | Fuel a year, agency (15,000 miles) | Against the Elantra (mileage) | Agency yearly fuel cost against the Elantra | Side by side |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Toyota Camry | 2026 Camry HEV FF LE | 51 mpg | $1,200 | 3 lower | $50 more a year | Compare |
| 2026 Toyota Prius | 2026 Prius | 57 mpg | $1,100 | 3 higher | $50 less a year | Compare |
| 2026 Honda Civic | 2026 Civic 4Dr (Hybrid, 4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)) | 49 mpg | $1,250 | 5 lower | $100 more a year | Compare |
EPA test figures for 2026; the last column is the yearly fuel cost against the cheapest version.
| Version | Engine | Gearbox | Drive | City | Highway | Combined | Fuel a year | CO2 g/mi | Fuel vs cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Elantra Hybrid BlueHybrid | 4-cyl 1.6 L | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-wheel | 51 | 58 | 54 | $1,150 | 165 | cheapest |
| 2026 Elantra HybridHybrid | 4-cyl 1.6 L | Automatic (AM-S6) | Front-wheel | 49 | 52 | 50 | $1,250 | 177 | +$100 |
| 2026 Elantra w/Stop-Start | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-wheel | 31 | 40 | 35 | $1,800 | 254 | +$650 |
| 2026 Elantra non-ISG | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-wheel | 30 | 40 | 34 | $1,850 | 263 | +$700 |
| 2026 Elantra | 4-cyl 1.6 L | Automatic (AM-S7) | Front-wheel | 28 | 35 | 31 | $2,000 | 288 | +$850 |
| 2026 Elantra N (Manual 6-spd) | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Manual 6-spd | Front-wheel | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,200 | 366 | +$2,050 |
| 2026 Elantra N (Automatic (AM-S8)) | 4-cyl 2.0 L | Automatic (AM-S8) | Front-wheel | 20 | 27 | 23 | $3,350 | 392 | +$2,200 |
The cheapest-to-run hybrid, the 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue (54 mpg, $1,150 a year), costs $650 a year less in fuel than the cheapest-to-run gas version, the 2026 Elantra w/Stop-Start (35 mpg, $1,800 a year).
Enter the price difference you were quoted for the 2026 Elantra; this page has no prices. Miles come from the calculator. The fuel price box there sets the price of the fuel of the version picked there; a version here that burns another fuel keeps the dated price of its own fuel. Versions with no fuel-cost figure are not listed.
Type the price difference you were quoted to see the payback.
Tailpipe CO2: the 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue puts out 165 grams per mile; across the 7 tested versions the figure runs from 165 to 392.
EPA scores (1 to 10, 10 best) for the 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue: fuel economy score 8 (5 to 8 across versions), greenhouse gas score 8 (5 to 8 across versions).
Best combined figure of the Elantra gas version and hybrid each model year since 2016, set against the 2026 model.
| Model year | Best gas version | Best hybrid | Versions tested | Against 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 31 mpg | none | 7 | 23 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2017 | 35 mpg | none | 8 | 19 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2018 | 35 mpg | none | 10 | 19 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2019 | 35 mpg | none | 9 | 19 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2020 | 36 mpg | none | 8 | 18 mpg lower than 2026 | |
| 2021 | 37 mpg | 54 mpg | 6 | same as 2026 | |
| 2022 | 37 mpg | 54 mpg | 8 | same as 2026 | |
| 2023 | 37 mpg | 54 mpg | 7 | same as 2026 | |
| 2024 | 36 mpg | 54 mpg | 7 | same as 2026 | |
| 2025 | 36 mpg | 54 mpg | 7 | same as 2026 | |
| 2026This page | 35 mpg | 54 mpg | 7 | this page |
Compared with the 2025 model: 7 versions were tested then and 7 now; the best figure went from 54 to 54 mpg (no change).
| Version in 2026 | 2026 | 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue, 4-cyl 1.6 L | 54 mpg | 54 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Elantra Hybrid, 4-cyl 1.6 L | 50 mpg | 50 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Elantra w/Stop-Start, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 35 mpg | 36 mpg (listed in 2025 as Elantra (4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S1)) #2) | -1 mpg |
| 2026 Elantra non-ISG, 4-cyl 2.0 L | 34 mpg | 36 mpg (listed in 2025 as Elantra (4-cyl 2.0 L, Automatic (AV-S1)) #2) | -2 mpg |
| 2026 Elantra, 4-cyl 1.6 L | 31 mpg | 31 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Elantra N (Manual 6-spd), 4-cyl 2.0 L | 24 mpg | 24 mpg | no change |
| 2026 Elantra N (Automatic (AM-S8)), 4-cyl 2.0 L | 23 mpg | 23 mpg | no change |
1 2025 version has no match in 2026.
Crash-test stars from the U.S. safety agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings, checked 2026-11-14. 5 is the best.
| Vehicle | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4DR N/A FWD | 5 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 5 | 5 of 5 |
| 2026 HYUNDAI ELANTRA N 4DR N/A FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | 5 of 5 |
The agency lists 3 variants; the first 2 are shown.
The agency's record for the first rated vehicle also lists 3 complaints, 3 recalls, 0 investigations.
Includes agency records filed under: ELANTRA, ELANTRA HYBRID, ELANTRA N.
4 complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra are on file (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints are reports that owners sent to the safety agency. They are not proven defects, and the counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.
| Part named in the reports | Reports | |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 1 | |
| Engine | 1 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 | |
| Wheels | 1 |
0 of the 4 reports say the car was in a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 1 mentions an injury. One report can name more than one part.
Includes agency records filed under: ELANTRA, ELANTRA HYBRID, ELANTRA N.
4 recalls are on file for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra at the U.S. safety agency (checked 2026-11-14). A dealer does recall repairs free of charge.
Includes agency records filed under: ELANTRA, ELANTRA HYBRID, ELANTRA N.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Venue, Elantra N, Elantra Hybrid, and Elantra vehicles. The wheel lug nuts may loosen and allow the wheel to detach.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hub bearing assemblies and reinstall the wheels, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 19, 2026.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2026 Tucson Hybrid and Elantra vehicles. The front strut assembly fasteners may not be tightened properly, which can result in a loss of vehicle steering control.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the front strut assembly fasteners and perform a wheel alignment, as necessary, free of charge.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024-2026 Elantra Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid power control unit (HPCU) assembly may overheat.
Fix: Dealers will update the HPCU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the impact sensor(s), as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 11, 2026.
Other 2026 models of the same agency class, each with its best combined figure. The Elantra itself is at 54 mpg.
More Hyundai models that have a 2026 page here, with the class of each and its best combined figure.
The 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue with 54 mpg combined (51 city, 58 highway). Among the regular gas versions it is the 2026 Elantra w/Stop-Start at 35 mpg.
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra costs between $1,150 and $3,350 to fuel by the agency's estimate, which assumes 15,000 miles a year. The cheapest is the 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue at $1,150; the dearest is the 2026 Elantra N (Automatic (AM-S8)) at $3,350. Use the calculator above for your own miles and fuel price.
In the agency's tests the best hybrid, the 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue, gets 54 mpg combined and the best non-hybrid, the 2026 Elantra w/Stop-Start, gets 35 mpg: 19 mpg more for the hybrid.
The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is 2nd of 26 for combined mileage. The top of the class is the 2026 Toyota Prius at 57 mpg, and the middle figure for the class is 28 mpg. In the list, the next one ahead is the 2026 Toyota Prius at 57 mpg and the next one behind is the 2026 Toyota Camry at 51 mpg.
The 2025 model had 7 tested versions and the 2026 model has 7. The best figure went from 54 to 54 mpg (no change).
In the agency's 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14; 5 is the best), the stars are 2026 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 4DR N/A FWD: overall 5 of 5, front 4, side 5, rollover 5; 2026 HYUNDAI ELANTRA N 4DR N/A FWD: rollover 5. The agency lists 3 variants; the first 2 are shown.
4 complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra are on file at the safety agency (checked 2026-11-14); the part named most often is Air Bags (1 report). Complaints are reports owners sent in, not proven defects.
The agency's database lists 4 recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra (checked 2026-11-14). They are listed above with the repair the maker offers.
For the 2026 Hyundai Elantra: EPA file 2026-11-04; fuel price 2026-11-14; crash tests 2026-11-14; complaints 2026-11-14; recalls 2026-11-14. Not covered: purchase price, towing, reliability, repair and insurance costs.
Mileage and fuel cost for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fueleconomy.gov vehicle file (file dated 2026-11-04). Recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (checked 2026-11-14). Crash-test ratings for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (checked 2026-11-14). Complaints for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra: NHTSA (checked 2026-11-14). Fuel prices: U.S. Department of Energy / EPA (2026-11-14). Your own mileage depends on how and where you drive. Where our numbers come from.