When it comes to reliability, no one can deny that Toyota pretty much has the market cornered. This is especially true when it comes to its hybrid portfolio, as this is a technology that the Japanese brand has been aggressively investing in for well over three decades. Thanks to this resilient reputation, the brand has slowly been generating a monopoly on the American hybrid market, but there are some brands that have been successfully taking the fight to them.
The main reason why you’d want to consider a hybrid vehicle ownership experience is to save on your monthly gas expenses, but reliability also remains a key factor for many prospective consumers. A big reason for the success of the hybrid vehicle market is thanks to noteworthy progress in battery and electric motor technologies, which have helped make HEVs more accessible, efficient, and reliable, translating to lower long-term maintenance costs.
- Base Trim Engine
-
Nu PE ICE
- Base Trim Transmission
-
CVT
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Front-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
147 HP @6200 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
132 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM
- Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)
-
32/41/36 MPG
- Base Trim Battery Type
-
Lead acid battery
- Make
-
Hyundai
- Model
-
Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid is a compact gasoline-electric sedan that excels at returning the best value when it comes to how much you’ll spend on both long and short-term maintenance, with a proven reliability track record.
Granted, it’s not the most thrilling or aspirational model, but the brand has done a great job of putting together an affordable and high-quality product that should make you want to consider it over the likes of a Toyota Corolla or Prius. It’s a vehicle option that doesn’t quite stand out from the crowd, due to the group’s aggressive focus on fully electric vehicles, but it remains an integral product that caters to fuel-consumption fanatics who also value overall reliability and dependability.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Hyundai’s websites and other authoritative sources.
The Elantra Hybrid Takes The Reliability Fight To Toyota
86/100 In J.D.Power’s Reliability Rating
The entire Hyundai Elantra range benefits from typically favorable reliability reviews. J.D. Power issues the model line with an 83/100 overall score, which includes 86/100 for quality and reliability, 87/100 for the driving experience, and 85/100 for resale. iSeeCars doesn’t issue this model with a reliability score, but it does benefit from an 8.3/10 score for retained value and 8.0/10 for safety. By comparison, J.D. Power hands the Toyota Corolla range a 76/100 grade for quality and reliability, while the Camry also scores 86/100 in this aspect.
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid True Cost To Own
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Total |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Insurance |
$799 |
$827 |
$856 |
$886 |
$917 |
$4,285 |
|
Maintenance |
$42 |
$183 |
$432 |
$967 |
$1,944 |
$3,568 |
|
Repairs |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$524 |
$524 |
|
Taxes & Fees |
$1,398 |
$73 |
$73 |
$73 |
$73 |
$1,690 |
|
Financing |
$1,670 |
$1,348 |
$1,001 |
$629 |
$228 |
$4,876 |
|
Depreciation |
$6,232 |
$1,803 |
$1,706 |
$2,001 |
$1,895 |
$13,637 |
|
Fuel |
$820 |
$845 |
$870 |
$896 |
$923 |
$4,354 |
|
True Cost to Own |
$10,961 |
$5,079 |
$4,938 |
$5,452 |
$6,504 |
$32,934 |
According to the Edmunds True Cost To Own calculator, you’ll find yourself spending $3,568 to keep the 2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue maintained over five years, which is lower than any other hybrid vehicle currently available in the U.S. The standard warranty configuration is just as comprehensive, featuring a 10-year or 100,000-mile coverage for the entire gasoline-electric hybrid system.
You also get a five-year or 60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and seven years’ worth of anti-perforation protection with no mileage cap. In the event of a fault while you’re on the road, Hyundai covers you with five years’ worth of unlimited-mile 24/7 roadside assistance.
Equally Competitive Fuel Consumption Estimates
594 Miles On A Full Tank Of Gas
The entry-level also benefits from the lowest fueling cost per mile in the compact sedan segment. According to the EPA’s estimates, you can expect to spend $1.46 every 25 miles. This efficiency-focused derivative also benefits from an impressive 51/58/54 MPG consumption estimate on the city/highway/combined cycle and will cover 594 miles on a single 11-gallon tank of gas. You can expect to save up to $4,000 in fuel costs over five years and spend $900 on fuel every year, based on average American vehicle consumption metrics. A full tank of gas will cost $35, on average.
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid EPA Fuel Consumption Estimates
|
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue |
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Limited |
|
|
Gas Consumption (city/highway/combined) |
51/58/54 MPG |
49/52/50 MPG |
|
Range |
594 Miles |
550 Miles |
|
Five-Year Fuel Savings |
$4,000 |
$3,750 |
|
Annual Fuel Cost |
$900 |
$950 |
|
Cost To Drive 25 Miles (EV/Gas) |
$1.46 |
$1.57 |
|
Cost To Fill The Tank |
$35 |
$35 |
|
Tank Capacity |
11 Gallons |
11 Gallons |
Opting for the more premium Limited trim gets you some better features, but this does come at the cost of a bit of efficiency. The EPA estimates that this will cost you $1.57 to drive 25 miles, and that you’ll find yourself spending $950 on fuel every year, resulting in a five-year savings estimate of $3,750. Consumption estimates come in at 49/52/50 MPG with a 550-mile range claim.
Prioritizing Efficiency Over Performance
The Hybrid Is Certainly No Elantra N
While the Elantra Hybrid returns some amazing EPA-estimated fuel consumption results, it leaves a lot to be desired in the performance department. Under the hood, you’ll find the brand’s naturally aspirated Atkinson-cycle 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 104 horsepower and 109 pound-feet to the front wheels. This is connected to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with a starter motor, as well as a single permanent-magnet synchronous motor that generates 43 horsepower and 125 pound-feet.
2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Performance Specifications
| Powertrain | 1.6-Liter Four-Cylinder And One Electric Motor |
| Horsepower | 139 HP |
| Torque | 125 LB-FT |
| Transmission | Six-Speed Dual-Clutch Automatic |
| Driveline | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Battery | 1.32 kWh |
| 0-60 MPH | 8.5 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 116 MPH |
Hyundai limits the combined output to 139 horsepower and 125 pound-feet, resulting in a rather drab 8.5-second 0-60 MPH time and 116 MPH top speed. The electric system sources energy from a compact 1.32-kWh lithium-ion battery. The ICE in question is the Hyundai Group’s Smartstream G16 configuration, which runs on the Atkinson cycle to conserve fuel and improve overall reliability. These typically suffer from much lower torque outputs, but hybrids like the Elantra compensate for this by applying a high-torque electric motor.
Apart from the usual wear that ICEs are typically subject to, the Smartstream G16 has a proven reliability track record and should cover extensive distances with minimal maintenance required. It’s a powertrain that the brand has been using since 2018 and can be found in pretty much all of its products in varying displacements and power outputs.
Hyundai Kicks Pricing Off At $25,450
It’s Just A Bit More Expensive Than The Corolla
The entry-level Hyundai Elantra Blue kicks off pricing for the range at, but this is a very basic trim. Key features include:
- Manually adjustable front seats upholstered in cloth
- A basic eight-inch audio display
- Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
- Dual-zone climate control
- An analog 4.2-inch instrument cluster
The exterior features 16-inch alloy wheels, dual projector LED headlights with DRLs and an auto-on function, a hands-free smart trunk release, and Hyundai’s proximity key entry for added convenience. The SEL Sport adds a bit more aspiration to the Elantra Hybrid range for $27,425. This trim adds 17-inch alloy wheels, black door mirrors, a rear lip spoiler, and alloy sports pedals. You’ll also notice leather upholstery for the multifunction steering wheel and gear selector, a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with SiriusXM and dynamic voice recognition. Additional features include a wireless smartphone charger and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.
The Limited sits at the very top of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid range at $29,700. This benefits from LED combination taillights, LED turn signals on the door mirrors, and Hyundai’s digital key two-touch system. You also get the following amenities:
- H-Tex leatherette seat upholstery,
- An electronically adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions
- Front seat heating and ventilation
- 60/40-split rear folding seats
- A Bose premium audio system
- Sunroof
Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Optional Extras And Destination Fees
All Hyundai Elantra Hybrid models are available in five standard color options, consisting of Ecotronic Gray, Intense Blue, Fluid Metal, Amazon Gray, and Abyss Black. Ultimate Red and Serenity White will cost an extra $500. Cloth interior upholstery is available in black or gray. Apart from a couple of storage solutions and accessories, there aren’t any optional extras that you can specify for any of the Elantra Hybrid’s trims. The South Korean brand applies a $1,195 destination fee to all derivatives.