Compact cars · MD generation
Think twice Below average
It scores 23 out of 100 for reliability compared with other compact cars. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $10,891 to own, including $2,467 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Hyundai Elantra.
Reliability
23/100
Below average
Repairs, 5 years
$2,467
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$6,581
31 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$7,109
$6,256 – $7,963, estimate
Recalls
2
on record
Owner complaints
300
filed with NHTSA
These are estimates, not guarantees. They come from public NHTSA complaint and recall data and EPA fuel economy, assuming 5 years of ownership and 12,000 miles a year. Change the assumptions or see how it works.
Expected over 5 years, by area of the car.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Check whether a specific car still has open recalls with its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
These links go to independent sites. We don't earn anything from them.
Of the years we rate, the 2021 scores best (64/100) and the 2017 worst (6/100).
| Year | Reliability |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Not rated yet |
| 2025 | Not rated yet |
| 2024 | 50/100 |
| 2023 | 27/100 |
| 2022 | 53/100 |
| 2021 | 64/100 |
| 2020 | 7/100 |
| 2019 | 11/100 |
| 2018 | 9/100 |
| 2017 | 6/100 |
| 2016 | 23/100 |
| 2015 | 44/100 |
Yes. It scores 23 out of 100, among the least reliable compact cars of 2015–2024. The 2021 Elantra scored much better.
It scores 23 out of 100 against other compact cars from 2015 to 2024, which is below average. Based on 300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $2,467 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $10,891 over 5 years: $1,843 in lost value, $2,467 in repairs and $6,581 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $7,109 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2021 scores best (64/100) and the 2017 worst (6/100).
2 recalls on record with NHTSA.