2026 Hyundai Elantra hybrid vs gas: is the hybrid worth it?
Hybrid Blue FWD vs SE FWD
No. Does not pay back in 6 years.
7.3years to pay back
- Hybrid: $2,825 more. Saves $386 a year.
- Break-even: 87,800 miles.
- No gas trim with the same name. Cheapest gas 2WD trim used.
- 12,000 miles a year. Gas $3.20.
Every hybrid pair
| Pair | MSRP | Rating | Energy a year | Price gap | Saves a year | Payback | Ahead after 6 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Blue FWD SE FWD | $25,650 $22,825 | 54 mpg 35 mpg | $711 $1,097 | $2,825 | $386 | 7.3 years | Gas, $509 |
| Hybrid Blue HEV FWD SE FWD | $25,650 $22,825 | 54 mpg 35 mpg | $711 $1,097 | $2,825 | $386 | 7.3 years | Gas, $509 |
| Hybrid SEL Sport Plus FWD SEL Sport Plus FWD | $27,300 $24,450 | 50 mpg 34 mpg | $768 $1,129 | $2,850 | $361 | 7.9 years | Gas, $682 |
| Hybrid SEL Sport FWD SEL Sport FWD | $27,625 $23,950 | 50 mpg 34 mpg | $768 $1,129 | $3,675 | $361 | 10.2 years | Gas, $1,507 |
| Hybrid SEL Sport HEV FWD SE FWD | $27,625 $22,825 | 50 mpg 35 mpg | $768 $1,097 | $4,800 | $329 | 14.6 years | Gas, $2,825 |
| Hybrid Limited FWD Limited FWD | $30,000 $27,375 | 50 mpg 34 mpg | $768 $1,129 | $2,625 | $361 | 7.3 years | Gas, $457 |
| Hybrid Limited HEV FWD SE FWD | $30,000 $22,825 | 50 mpg 35 mpg | $768 $1,097 | $7,175 | $329 | 21.8 years | Gas, $5,200 |
What changes the answer
- Gas price for a 6-year payback: $3.90.
- Miles a year for a 6-year payback: 14,600.
What you give up
| Measure | Hybrid | Gas | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 139 hp | 147 hp | -8 hp |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft | 132 lb-ft | +63 lb-ft |
| Cargo, seats up | 14.2 cu ft | 14.2 cu ft | about the same |
| Cargo, seats down | 14.2 cu ft | 14.2 cu ft | about the same |
What this cannot tell you
Incentives, insurance, upkeep and resale are not included.
Your own mpg will differ.
- 2 or more sources
- 1 source
- Model-level, rule or estimate
- Sources disagree