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GizmoDriver

Hyundai Elantra vs Hyundai Sonata (2026)

Price gap, MSRP + destination

$4,825

Car 1

Car 2

ElantraSonataMSRP + destination$23,870$28,695Horsepower147 hp191 hpTorque132 lb-ft181 lb-ftMPG combined35 mpg32 mpgCargo, max14.2 cu ft15.6 cu ftCargo, seats up14.2 cu ft15.6 cu ftRear legroom38.0 in34.8 inFront legroom42.3 in46.1 inSeats55Ground clearance5.3 in5.3 in
Scored measures. Each is scaled to the larger value. Bold: the winner.
Elantra SE FWD vs Sonata SE FWD
MeasureElantraSonataWinner
MSRP + destination$23,870$28,695Elantra
Horsepower147 hp191 hpSonata
Torque132 lb-ft181 lb-ftSonata
MPG combined35 mpg32 mpgElantra
Cargo, max14.2 cu ft15.6 cu ftSonata
Cargo, seats up14.2 cu ft15.6 cu ftSonata
Rear legroom38.0 in34.8 inElantra
Front legroom42.3 in46.1 inSonata
Length185.4 in193.3 inNot scored
Width71.9 in73.2 inNot scored
Curb weight2,725 lb to 3,020 lb3,232 lbN/A
Seats55About the same
Ground clearance5.3 in5.3 inAbout the same
0-60 mphN/A7.3 s estimateN/A
Basic warranty5 yr / 60,000 mi5 yr / 60,000 miAbout the same

Not scored: length, width, curb weight. N/A rows are not counted.

Nearest trims by price

Each trim and the rival trim nearest in MSRP
TrimNearest in priceGap
Elantra SE FWD
$22,825		Sonata SE FWD
$27,450		$4,625
Sonata SE FWD
$27,450		Elantra Limited FWD
$27,375		$75

Hybrid vs hybrid

Elantra Hybrid Blue FWD vs Sonata Hybrid Blue FWD
MeasureElantraSonataWinner
MSRP$25,650$29,200Elantra
Horsepower139 hp192 hpSonata
Torque195 lb-ft139 lb-ftElantra
MPG combined54 mpg51 mpgElantra
Cargo, max14.2 cu ft15.6 cu ftSonata
Cargo, seats up14.2 cu ft15.6 cu ftSonata
Rear legroom38.0 in34.8 inElantra
Front legroom42.3 in46.1 inSonata
Seats55About the same
Ground clearance5.5 in5.3 inAbout the same
0-60 mph8.7 s estimate7.5 s estimateSonata
Basic warranty5 yr / 60,000 mi5 yr / 60,000 miAbout the same

Sonata wins 5 of 12 measures.

Cost to run

Elantra costs $5,442 less over 6 years.

12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20. Electricity 17 cents per kWh.

Price plus fuel or charging over 6 years
CostElantraSonata
MSRP + destination$23,870$28,695
Fuel or charging, 1 year$1,097$1,200
Fuel or charging, 6 years$6,583$7,200
Total, 6 years$30,453$35,895

Which is better for me?

Weight each group from 0 to 10. MPG uses fuel or charging cost.

Equal weights: Sonata wins.

Elantra wins if Price weight is 7 or more.

Who is ahead in each group
GroupAheadBy
PriceElantra17%
MPGElantra9%
PowerSonata23%
SpaceSonata9%
TowingN/A

Other years

What this cannot tell you

Your price and mpg will differ.

Reliability and safety are not included.

How values are checked