Hyundai Elantra Cost to Own
By CarWhere Research · Updated
A 2026 Hyundai Elantra costs about $26,233 over 5 years and 75,000 miles in depreciation, fuel and insurance. Depreciation is the biggest share at $10,350 (39% of the median new price); fuel $9,473 and national-average insurance $6,410 make up the rest. Scheduled maintenance, repairs and registration fees come on top.
5-year total
$26,233
depreciation + fuel + insurance
Depreciation
$10,350
39% of new price
Fuel
$9,473
$1,895/yr
Insurance
$6,410
national average
5-year cost-to-own breakdown
Assumptions: 5 years, 15,000 miles a year (75,000 total), bought new. Every line shows its formula and source.
| Line | 5 years | Per year | How it’s calculated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $10,350 | $2,070 | $26,539 median new price (2026) × 39% below new for 5-year-old (2021) listings | CarWhere depreciation study |
| Fuel | $9,473 | $1,895 | 75,000 mi ÷ 33 MPG × $4.153/gal regular (median of 2 EPA versions) | EPA × EIA November 2, 2026 |
| Insurance | $6,410 | $1,282 | U.S. average expenditure per insured car (2023) × 5 years. Not specific to the Elantra. | NAIC, by state |
| Scheduled maintenance | See note | — | Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (HCM) (3 years or 36,000 miles) is included; beyond its terms, the Hyundai schedule below applies. No manufacturer-published service prices. | Hyundai schedule |
| Registration and fees | Varies by state | — | State registration, title and taxes. | State title guides |
| Total | $26,233 | $5,247 | Depreciation + fuel + national-average insurance. Maintenance, repairs and fees not included. | |
Depreciation
New Elantras list for a median $26,539 (31,379 listings). In CarWhere’s used-market study, 2021 models (5 years old) list 39% below that, so a Elantra loses about $10,350 in its first five years.
| Model year | Age | Median listing | Below new | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 | $16,188 | 39% | 795 |
Fuel
The EPA rates the 2026 Elantra at 33 MPG combined; 31–35 MPG across 2 EPA-listed versions. At $4.153/gal regular (EIA, week of November 2, 2026), 75,000 miles cost about $9,473, or $1,895 a year. The hybrid version (52 MPG) works out to about $5,999 over the same miles.
EPA versions included: Elantra, Elantra w/Stop-Start.
Insurance
Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage. Across all insured cars, U.S. drivers spent an average of $1,282 a year in 2023 (NAIC); see car insurance cost by state for your state’s average.
Is the Elantra expensive to maintain?
Hyundai's published oil-change interval: 8,000 miles or 12 months. Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (HCM): 3 years or 36,000 miles. For the Elantra: 2.0L: spark plugs every 96,000 miles; 1.6T: every 48,000 miles; IVT fluid: no service normal, severe every 60,000 miles. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because Hyundai doesn't publish service prices.
For repair patterns owners report, see Elantra known issues.
Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (HCM)
Term: 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. Hyundai's pages list new 2020–2025 model years; 2026 terms are not stated on the pages opened.
Covers: For MY2025, four basic services within 3 years/36,000 miles, each with Hyundai-approved oil and filter change (not for EVs/FCEVs), tire rotation and a multi-point inspection. Air filters, cabin filter, wipers, brake pads, severe-schedule extras and 'inspect' items are excluded. It goes to the original owner only (spouse transfer allowed) at authorized Hyundai dealers, and each service must be within 1,000 miles or 1 month of the Owner's Manual interval.
Source: Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (hyundaiusa.com Assurance)
Oil changes
Normal: 8,000 miles or 12 months
Severe or special conditions: 5,000 miles or 6 months (short trips, extensive idling, dusty/rough or salted roads, heavy traffic, mountain driving, towing, commercial use, frequent high speed or stop-and-go, or non-recommended oil)
Oil: API SN PLUS (or higher) full synthetic required for the normal interval. SAE 0W-20 for Palisade 3.5L, Tucson and Elantra 2.0L; SAE 0W-30 for Santa Fe 2.5T. With lower-grade oil, follow the severe schedule.
The Elantra manual also has an Oil Life Management System and says to use the severe schedule after 10 years or 100,000 miles.
| Interval | Items | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Every 8,000 miles or 12 months |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
| Every 16,000 miles or 24 months |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
| Every 24,000 miles or 36 months |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
| 48,000 miles or 48 months |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
| Spark plugs |
| 2026 Hyundai Elantra Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
| 120,000 miles or 120 months (first) |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
| Automatic transmission / IVT fluid |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
| AWD transfer case and rear differential |
| 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) |
Elantra-specific notes
- 2.0L: spark plugs every 96,000 miles; 1.6T: every 48,000 miles
- IVT fluid: no service normal, severe every 60,000 miles
- DCT fluid (if equipped): severe every 80,000 miles
- 1.6T: inspect intercooler hoses first at 5,000 mi/6 mo, then every 20,000/24
Prices the manufacturer publishes
- Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance scheduled services: NO COST (service.hyundaiusa.com wording) (Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (service.hyundaiusa.com))
More Elantra research
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to own a Hyundai Elantra?
A 2026 Hyundai Elantra costs about $26,233 over 5 years and 75,000 miles in depreciation, fuel and insurance. Depreciation is the biggest share at $10,350 (39% of the median new price); fuel $9,473 and national-average insurance $6,410 make up the rest. Scheduled maintenance, repairs and registration fees come on top.
Is the Elantra expensive to maintain?
Hyundai's published oil-change interval: 8,000 miles or 12 months. Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (HCM): 3 years or 36,000 miles. For the Elantra: 2.0L: spark plugs every 96,000 miles; 1.6T: every 48,000 miles; IVT fluid: no service normal, severe every 60,000 miles. We list the schedule rather than a dollar figure because Hyundai doesn't publish service prices.
Is the Elantra expensive to insure?
Insurance varies by driver, location and coverage, and CarWhere doesn't publish model-specific premiums. Across all insured cars, U.S. drivers spent an average of $1,282 a year (NAIC, 2023), or $6,410 over 5 years; our state-by-state study shows the average where you live.
How much does a Elantra depreciate in 5 years?
In CarWhere's used-market study, 5-year-old Elantras (model year 2021) list for 39% below the median new price of $26,539, about $10,350 of lost value.
How much does a Elantra cost to fuel per year?
About $1,895 a year at 15,000 miles, based on the EPA rating of 33 MPG combined; 31–35 MPG across 2 EPA-listed versions and $4.153/gal regular (EIA, week of November 2, 2026). The hybrid version (52 MPG) works out to about $1,200 a year.
Sources and method
Formula: 5-year total = depreciation (median new price × % below new at age 5) + fuel (75,000 mi ÷ EPA combined MPG × EIA national price, or kWh/100 mi × EIA residential rate for EVs) + insurance (NAIC national average expenditure × 5). Lines without a citable source are left blank.
- CarWhere car depreciation by model study — CarWhere Research (data as of 2026-10-25)
- Fuel economy data (vehicles.csv) — U.S. EPA / DOE, fueleconomy.gov
- Weekly U.S. retail gasoline and diesel prices — U.S. Energy Information Administration (week of November 2, 2026)
- Auto Insurance Database Report (average expenditure) — NAIC, via CarWhere state study (2023 data)
- 2026 Hyundai Palisade Owner's Manual (full PDF, ownersmanual.hyundai.com) — Hyundai (opened 2026-11-06)
- 2026 Hyundai Tucson Owner's Manual (full PDF) — Hyundai (opened 2026-11-06)
- 2026 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner's Manual (full PDF) — Hyundai (opened 2026-11-06)
- 2026 Hyundai Elantra Owner's Manual (full PDF) — Hyundai (opened 2026-11-06)
- Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (hyundaiusa.com Assurance) — Hyundai (opened 2026-11-06)
- Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance (service.hyundaiusa.com) — Hyundai (opened 2026-11-06)