Compact cars · AD generation
Think twice Well below average
It scores 7 out of 100 for reliability compared with other compact cars. Over the next 5 years we expect it to cost about $11,541 to own, including $3,238 in repairs.
Early estimate: this rating uses our own sales estimate for the Hyundai Elantra.
Reliability
7/100
Well below average
Repairs, 5 years
$3,238
at 12,000 mi a year
Fuel, 5 years
$5,667
36 mpg, $3.40/gal
Price today
$10,172
$8,951 – $11,393, estimate
Recalls
3
on record
Owner complaints
262
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 2019-2020 Elantra, 2019-2021 Kona and Veloster vehicles equipped with 2.0L Nu MPI engines. The piston oil rings may not have been properly heat-treated, which could result in engine damage.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2019 Ioniq Hybrid and 2020 Elantra vehicles. The right-side rear wheel lug nuts may have been insufficiently tightened, allowing the wheel to detach from the vehicle.
Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020 Elantra vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint fasteners may have been insufficiently tightened allowing the ball joint to detach from the lower control arm.
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 7 out of 100, among the least reliable compact cars of 2015–2024. The 2021 Elantra scored much better.
It scores 7 out of 100 against other compact cars from 2015 to 2024, which is well below average. Based on 262 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, we expect about $3,238 in repairs over the next 5 years at 12,000 miles a year.
About $11,541 over 5 years: $2,636 in lost value, $3,238 in repairs and $5,667 in fuel at $3.40 a gallon. A typical one sells for about $10,172 today.
Of the years we rate, the 2021 scores best (64/100) and the 2017 worst (6/100).
3 recalls on record with NHTSA.