2026 Hyundai Elantra

Price Range: $22,625 - $29,400

Good

Impressive fuel economy, a roomy cabin and excellent value make the 2026 Hyundai Elantra one of our favorite small sedans. The base version of the Elantra is slow and not especially dynamic, but otherwise the Elantra nails the fundamentals.Read full review

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Pricing

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Edmunds suggests you pay

$22,680

50 for sale near you

Prices based on sales in VA thru 3/2/26

Final assembly in South Korea

2026 Hyundai ELANTRA

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Pros

Generous list of standard and optional features
Roomy seating
Sporty performance from the Elantra N Line trim

Cons

Tepid acceleration from the base engine
Some interior materials are a bit cut-rate
Cabin lets in too much wind noise on the highway

What's new

SEL Sport Premium trim joins lineup
Standard dual USB-C ports for rear passengers
Part of the seventh Elantra generation introduced for 2021

Overview

Written by automotive expert Dan Frio

3/9/2026

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is the brand's small sedan. It's smaller than the Hyundai Sonata, but it has a lot of upside if you're looking for an affordable and practical ride. It has one of the roomiest interiors in its class, plus there's a big trunk and fold-flat rear seats in case you need to fit even more stuff. It also comes with many standard features and is backed by Hyundai's long warranty. It's easily one of our favorites.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$118/mo

$181/mo

Avg. Midsize Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Edmunds spotlight: The Elantra's diverse lineup

The Elantra's standard 2.0-liter engine is impressively fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated 36 mpg in combined city/highway driving. That's among the highest figures you'll find for a small sedan. Hyundai also has the Elantra Hybrid for even better mpg. Neither version is sporty, but there are options if you consider yourself more of a driving enthusiast. The Elantra N Line comes with a sport-tuned suspension and more powerful engine, while the Elantra N sport sedan dials up the performance potential even further.

Competitors to consider

Small-sedan buyers are spoiled for choice, with stalwarts like the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3 and the Edmunds Top Rated Honda Civic. Other alternatives range from the budget-friendly Nissan Sentra to the European-flavored Volkswagen Jetta. The Elantra holds its own with appealing price and value. Another option is the Kia K4. It's similar to the Elantra in a lot of ways (Hyundai and Kia are sister companies) and is available as a hatchback for the 2026 model year.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

Driven, tested, rated by automotive expert Jonathan Elfalan

Good

6.8

out of 10

We drove the 2026 Hyundai Elantra on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

Driving experience

5.9/10

How does the Hyundai Elantra drive? The base four-cylinder engine lacks oomph. At Edmunds' test track, our Elantra reached 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, which is slower than average among small sedans. It's not terrible, but passing or getting up to highway speeds can be laborious.

What power it does have is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission that Hyundai tunes for optimal fuel economy, so it too is not very impressive for spirited driving. But in typical situations, the transmission delivers a smooth experience, and there's only a little of the notorious droning noise that CVTs are known for.

Elsewhere, the Elantra is pretty middle-of-the-road. It handles corners decently well for a small sedan, behaving predictably, and it's not easily upset over bumps. But for a sporty drive, you'll want to get the N Line, which comes with a sport-tuned suspension.

While the Elantra offers a robust list of driving aids, you have to pay extra to get many of them. The good news is that the aids work well on the road. We think the full suite is one of the best modern systems, with smooth adaptive cruise control and lane centering functionality. We experienced no false warnings during our testing.

Comfort

6.5/10

How comfortable is the Hyundai Elantra? The Elantra isn't an exceptionally comfortable small sedan, but it get most things right. It's among the most spacious small sedans for comfortably seating adults, especially when it comes to rear seat room. The seats are also comfortable for the most part, and the power-adjustable driver's seat has a wide adjustment range, so it should suit short and tall drivers alike. However, the front seat bottoms feel a touch flat and might not provide enough support on road trips more than a few hours long. There isn't much in the way of side bolstering to keep you planted when cornering either.

The climate controls are easy to use, with big dials to work the available dual-zone climate control. The heated seats, when equipped, activate quickly. The bad news is just how loud it gets in the cabin. Wind noise is particularly noticeable, and the Elantra is far off the class leaders in this regard.

In the back, there are two anchors on each rear outboard seat to fasten child safety seats into place. The anchors are easy to find between the cushions. The spacious back seat means you should be able to load rear-facing seats without having to scrunch into your driving position.

In-cabin tech

9/10

How’s the tech? The Elantra's available twin display screens, one for the gauges and one for the infotainment, are pleasing to use. The infotainment screen has easy-to-follow menus and quick and clear directions.

The Elantra also scores extra points for including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though wireless functionality only comes with the standard 8-inch infotainment screen. Confusingly, the larger 10.25-inch screen requires a cord to run either smartphone integration system. There are multiple charging solutions — including front and rear USB-C ports and a wireless charging pad — plus a digital key function on high-end models.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

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2026 Hyundai Elantra pricing in Ashburn, VA

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2026 Hyundai ELANTRA

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Build & Price

Buying Tips for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra for March

Here are some tips to consider when buying or negotiating for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra:

The Edmunds True Market Value for the Hyundai Elantra's N Line trim shows a savings of about 3.9% compared to the MSRP. This translates to savings of approximately $1,147, which could boost your negotiating power when looking for a trim with a larger discount.
There are special APR offers available that could save you money over the life of your loan. With rates as low as 0.99% for up to 60 months, you could save significantly compared to standard market rates.
If you are eligible for specific offers, such as military, student lender, or first responder discounts, you can receive an additional $500 off the purchase price. Don't forget to mention this when negotiating with dealers.
The N Line trim of the Elantra is selling slower than average, spending around 71 days on dealer lots. This slower turnover might give you more room to negotiate for a better deal.

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Storage & cargo

6/10

How’s storage and cargo? Trunk space is slightly above average for the class, at 14.2 cubic feet. The rear seats fold flat with remote release latches in the trunk — some may find them more convenient than the releases on the seats themselves. Cupholders and storage cubbies for front passengers are nothing out of the ordinary.

Value

7.2/10

Is the Hyundai Elantra a good value? The Hyundai Elantra's pricing structure is competitive, with lower-end models often costing thousands of dollars less than comparable rivals. However, its value statement wanes as you go up the trim/price ladder. It typically offers the same features as its rivals at a similar or lower price point, but the acres of hard plastics are hard to ignore. The spoiler is the Kia K4, which offers a lot more equipment at the same price as the Elantra.

There's no denying the Hyundai's stellar warranty coverage; along with its corporate cousin, the K4, the Elantra offers five years/60,000 miles of limited warranty coverage, 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain, and free maintenance for three years/36,000 miles.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

MPG

7/10

How’s the fuel economy? Depending on the model, the Elantra with the 2.0-liter engine gets an EPA-estimated 34-36 mpg in combined city/highway driving. Either way you're looking at excellent fuel economy. We easily verified the EPA's estimate and even exceeded it on our mixed-driving test route, achieving an impressive 41.8 mpg. An Elantra Hybrid is also available that has even better fuel economy.

X factor

5/10

The Elantra has a wow factor with its effusive exterior styling; large, bright screens; and excellent voice controls. The base trims make no claim to driving excitement, but fortunately the high-output Elantra N (reviewed separately) exists for car enthusiasts desiring more.

2026 Hyundai Elantra trim level differences

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is available in five main trim levels: SE, SEL Sport, SEL Sport Premium, N Line and Limited. The Elantra Hybrid and the high-performance Elantra N are reviewed separately on Edmunds. All Elantra trims except the N Line come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower) that's paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The sporty N Line has a 201-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Compare the 2026 Hyundai Elantra trim levels in-depth.

Which Elantra trim does Edmunds recommend?

Although the Limited is the top-most trim with the base engine, we think it's worth getting. Paying more for the Elantra Limited gets you some welcome features, including a larger touchscreen and companion digital gauge cluster, synthetic leather upholstery, an upgraded sound system and more. It's fine to stick with a lower trim level if you're working with a strict budget, but we doubt you'll regret stretching to the Limited.

Hyundai Elantra Reviews

Owner Reviews

3.4

34 reviews

5(41%)

4(18%)

3(9%)

2(3%)

1(29%)

Owners Say

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra has mixed reviews from owners. Many love how smooth, roomy, and fuel-efficient it is, along with enjoying its tech features and safety systems. However, some owners are frustrated with a variety of issues, like safety feature glitches, engine noise, and problems with the car's electronics and transmission. While there are many positive aspects, these negatives make the overall impression less favorable for some owners.

This summary is AI-generated from the text of owner reviews

See all 34 reviews of the Hyundai Elantra

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Most Helpful Owner Review

get anything else.

bj, 03/27/2024

2024 Hyundai Elantra SEL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)

In january at 8k miles i had constant oil system issues. Reoccurring oil pressure lights eventually lead to a check engine light and a red oil light. i needed multiple sensors and my oil pump replaced after my car was towed in to my hyundai dealer. (after about 3 failed attempts at solving this issue they fixed it). My car seemed to do fine for about a month and a half after these …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra, so we've included review for other years of the Elantra since its last redesign.

Helpful shopping links

2026 Hyundai Elantra videos

U-DRAG RACE: Honda Civic Type R vs. Hyundai Elantra N | Quarter Mile, Handling & More

NOTE: This video is about the 2024 Hyundai Elantra, but since the 2026 Hyundai Elantra is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

Welcome back to Edmunds U-Drags, our series of down-and-back drag races that incorporate a standing quarter mile, handling, and a rolling start all in one race! In this episode, the mighty Honda Civic Type R takes on the spunky Hyundai Elantra N in a front-wheel-drive performance car duel. Which hot hatch will pull off the win?

2026 Hyundai Elantra Features & Specs

Trim:

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$22,625
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	35 MPG
Cost to Drive	$118/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	14.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	5 years / 60,000 miles

See all features & specs

Reliability

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra has a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic warranty and no recalls. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #11 out of 46 among Compact Cars.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Excellent

#11 out of 46 among Compact Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$363/yr

vs. $416/yr
for Average Compact Car

Frequency

1.07x/yr

vs. 1.01x/yr
for Average Compact Car

Severity

9.1%

vs. 10.4%
for Average Compact Car

Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra

Warranty

5 years / 60,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 10 years / 100,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 7 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles

Where the Hyundai Elantra ranks:

#4 in Small sedans

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2026 Hyundai ELANTRA

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Safety

Key safety features on the Elantra include:

Back-up camera
Blind Spot Monitoring
Lane Departure Warning
Alarm
Tire Pressure Warning
Stability Control
Pre-collision safety system
Post-collision safety system

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	4 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	4 / 5
Side Crash Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating	Rating
Overall	5 / 5
Driver	5 / 5
Passenger	5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings	Rating
Front Seat	5 / 5
Back Seat	5 / 5
Rollover	Rating
Rollover	5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result	No Tip
Risk Of Rollover	10.1%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test	Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test	Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original	Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated	Good
Side Impact Test – Original	Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Updated	Good
Roof Strength Test	Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint	Not Tested

FAQ

Is the Hyundai Elantra a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2026 Elantra both on the road and at the track, giving it a 6.8 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2026 Elantra gets an average rating of 3 stars out of 5 (based on 34 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Elantra has 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Hyundai Elantra. Learn more

What's new in the 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra:

SEL Sport Premium trim joins lineup
Standard dual USB-C ports for rear passengers
Part of the seventh Elantra generation introduced for 2021

Learn more

Is the Hyundai Elantra reliable?

To determine whether the Hyundai Elantra is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Elantra. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Elantra's 3-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2026 Hyundai Elantra is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2026 Elantra and gave it a 6.8 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2026 Elantra gets an average rating of 3 stars out of 5 (based on 34 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2026 Elantra is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

The least-expensive 2026 Hyundai Elantra is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $22,625.

Other versions include:

SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,625
SEL Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,750
SEL Sport Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,075
Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $27,175
N Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) which starts at $29,400

Learn more

What are the different models of Hyundai Elantra?

If you're interested in the Hyundai Elantra, the next question is, which Elantra model is right for you? Elantra variants include SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), SEL Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), SEL Sport Premium 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and Limited 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of Elantra models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more

2026 Hyundai Elantra

Pricing

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive

Edmunds spotlight: The Elantra's diverse lineup

Competitors to consider

Edmunds Expert Rating

Driving experience

Comfort

In-cabin tech

Buying Tips for the 2026 Hyundai Elantra for March

Storage & cargo

Value

MPG

X factor

2026 Hyundai Elantra trim level differences

Which Elantra trim does Edmunds recommend?

Hyundai Elantra Reviews

Owner Reviews

Owners Say

Most Helpful Owner Review

2026 Hyundai Elantra videos

2026 Hyundai Elantra Features & Specs

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Where the Hyundai Elantra ranks:

Check a dealer's price

Safety

Key safety features on the Elantra include:

NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars

IIHS Rating

FAQ

Is the Hyundai Elantra a good car?

What's new in the 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

Is the Hyundai Elantra reliable?

Is the 2026 Hyundai Elantra a good car?

How much should I pay for a 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

What are the different models of Hyundai Elantra?