This Korean Hybrid Delivers Big Features Without the Big Price

Hybrid cars are having a serious moment in the U.S. right now, and it’s easy to see why. With gas prices still high and EVs getting more expensive while tax credits fade, drivers are realizing hybrids hit the sweet spot between savings and practicality.

They’re also proving to be smart long-term buys. Thanks to big improvements in batteries and electric motors, modern hybrids are more efficient, reliable, and affordable to maintain than ever before.

The hybrid sedan market may be small compared to crossovers and SUVs, but a few standouts are worth a look, especially from Japan and Korea. One of the most compelling is Hyundai’s hybrid compact—a car that quietly nails the value game without trying too hard to impress.

To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Hyundai and other authoritative sources, including CarEdge, Edmunds, the EPA, iSeeCars, J.D. Power, and TopSpeed.

The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Delivers Proven Reliability

Consistently High Reliability Ratings Across the Board

The Hyundai Elantra lineup generally gets solid marks when it comes to reliability. J.D. Power gives it an 83/100 overall, with strong scores for quality, driving experience, and resale value.

iSeeCars doesn’t assign a traditional reliability rating, but it gives the Elantra an 8.3/10 for retained value and 8.0/10 for safety. Over five years, the model is expected to lose about $11,020—or 43 percent of its value—roughly 10 percent more than its main competitors.

CarEdge breaks down the total five-year cost at $36,675, which includes $11,299 in depreciation and around $2,000 for maintenance. Overall, it’s a dependable car that’s fairly predictable in cost, even if it doesn’t top the charts in resale.

2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid True Cost to Own

According to Edmunds’ True Cost to Own calculator, keeping the 2025 Elantra Hybrid Blue running over five years will set you back about $3,568 in maintenance—the lowest of any hybrid currently on the market.

You’ll also need to account for $524 in repairs, $13,637 in depreciation, and $4,354 on fuel.

So far, only six consumers have weighed in on Edmunds, but all gave five stars, praising its fuel efficiency, comfy ride, and solid overall value.

Fuel Economy That Really Delivers

A Full Tank Gets You Close to 600 Miles

The 2025 Elantra Hybrid Blue makes every drop of gas count, topping the compact sedan segment for lowest fueling cost per mile. According to the EPA, it costs just $1.47 to drive 25 miles.

This efficiency-focused model scores an impressive 51/58/54 MPG for city, highway, and combined driving, letting you cover nearly 600 miles on a single 11-gallon tank.

Over five years, you could save around $4,000 on fuel, which works out to roughly $800 per year, with a full tank costing about $35 on average.

2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid EPA Fuel Consumption Estimates

Choosing the more premium Limited trim adds some nice features, but it comes with a small hit to efficiency. The EPA estimates it costs $1.58 to drive 25 miles, with annual fuel expenses around $950.

Over five years, that adds up to about $3,750 in fuel savings compared with a typical gas car. Fuel economy is rated at 49/52/50 MPG city/highway/combined, with a range of roughly 550 miles on a full tank.

The Elantra Blue Packs Efficiency, Comfort, and Value

Starting at Just $25,450

The entry-level Hyundai Elantra Blue kicks off the lineup at a very competitive $25,450, though it’s a pretty basic trim. Key features include:

• Manually adjustable front seats with cloth upholstery
• A simple eight-inch audio display
• Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Dual-zone climate control
• An analog 4.2-inch instrument cluster
• Exterior highlights like 16-inch alloy wheels, dual projector LED headlights with DRLs and auto-on, a hands-free smart trunk release, and Hyundai’s proximity key entry for added convenience

Step up to the SEL Sport at $27,425, and the Elantra Hybrid gets a sportier, more premium feel. This trim adds:

• 17-inch alloy wheels, black door mirrors, a rear lip spoiler, and alloy sport pedals
• Leather accents on the multifunction steering wheel and gear selector
• A larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with SiriusXM and dynamic voice recognition
• A wireless smartphone charger
• A 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster

Topping the Elantra Hybrid range is the Limited, priced at $29,800. It adds a mix of comfort, convenience, and premium touches:

• LED combination taillights
• LED turn signals integrated into the door mirrors
• Hyundai’s digital key two-touch system
• H-Tex leatherette seat upholstery
• Electronically adjustable driver’s seat with memory functions
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• 60/40-split rear folding seats
• Bose premium audio system
• Sunroof

Available Extras and Delivery Fees for the Elantra Hybrid

Every Hyundai Elantra Hybrid comes in five standard colors: Ecotronic Gray, Intense Blue, Fluid Metal, Amazon Gray, and Abyss Black. If you want Ultimate Red or Serenity White, add $500 to the price.

Inside, cloth seats are available in black or gray, and beyond a few storage accessories, there aren’t many optional extras to pick from across the trims. A $1,195 destination fee applies to all models, no matter which version you choose.

Saving Gas Means Sacrificing a Bit of Pep

Hyundai Puts Fuel Efficiency First

The Elantra Hybrid delivers impressive EPA-estimated fuel economy, but don’t expect fireworks on the performance side. Under the hood, a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine puts out 104 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels.

This pairs with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission featuring a starter motor, plus a single permanent-magnet synchronous motor that adds 43 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque.

2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Performance Specifications

Hyundai caps the combined output at 139 horsepower and 125 pound-feet, which translates to a modest 0–60 MPH time of 8.5 seconds and a top speed of 116 MPH. The electric motor draws power from a compact 1.32-kWh lithium-ion battery.

The internal combustion engine is Hyundai’s Smartstream G16, running on the Atkinson cycle to boost fuel efficiency and reliability. While these engines usually produce lower torque, the Elantra Hybrid makes up for it with its high-torque electric motor.