Gallonly
Menu

Language

EnglishEspañol

Theme

Honda Civic vs Hyundai Elantra: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Hyundai Elantra is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,220 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Elantra Hybrid Blue, 54 MPG combined), against $1,330 for the Honda Civic (Civic 4Dr, 49 MPG combined). That is $110 a year, or $550 over five years.

Both are classed as Midsize cars by the EPA. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Honda Civic

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Civic 4Dr

49 MPG
Combined
50 MPG
City
47 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,330

$8.87 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

7 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Hyundai Elantra

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Elantra Hybrid Blue

54 MPG
Combined
51 MPG
City
58 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,220

$8.13 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

7 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Honda Civic$1,330 a year · $8.87 per 100 mi
  • Hyundai Elantra$1,220 a year · $8.13 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$110

Hyundai Elantra costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$550

$110 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda Civic Hyundai Elantra
Lowest-cost configuration Civic 4DrElantra Hybrid Blue
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 49 MPG54 MPG (better)
City rating 50 MPG51 MPG (better)
Highway rating 47 MPG58 MPG (better)
Annual fuel cost $1,330/yr$1,220/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $8.87$8.13 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,330–$3,300$1,220–$3,550
Configurations in MY2026 77
EPA class Midsize carsMidsize cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra
Powertrain Honda Civic Hyundai Elantra
Gas 36 MPG · $1,810/yr Civic 4Dr 35 MPG · $1,880/yr Elantra w/Stop-Start
Hybrid 49 MPG · $1,330/yr Civic 4Dr 54 MPG · $1,220/yr Elantra Hybrid Blue

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Honda Civic

  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $1,810 vs $1,880

Hyundai Elantra

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,220 vs $1,330
  • Higher combined rating: 54 MPG vs 49 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 51 MPG vs 50 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 58 MPG vs 47 MPG

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra
Model year Honda Civic Hyundai Elantra
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 24–49 MPG $1,330–$3,300 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550
2025 24–49 MPG $1,330–$3,300 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550
2024 24–36 MPG $1,800–$3,300 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550
2023 24–36 MPG $1,800–$3,300 23–54 MPG $1,210–$3,490
2022 29–36 MPG $1,800–$2,560 23–54 MPG $1,210–$3,490
2021 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,270 28–54 MPG $1,210–$2,320
2020 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,270 26–36 MPG $1,810–$2,560
2019 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,280 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,610
2018 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,280 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,660
2017 25–36 MPG $1,830–$3,270 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,610
2016 30–35 MPG $1,860–$2,160 27–31 MPG $2,090–$2,420
2015 25–44 MPG $1,490–$3,190 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,410
2014 25–44 MPG $1,490–$3,190 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,420
2013 25–44 MPG $1,500–$3,220 30–32 MPG $2,040–$2,180
2012 25–44 MPG $1,500–$3,220 26–32 MPG $2,040–$2,540
2011 24–41 MPG $1,590–$3,360 26–32 MPG $2,020–$2,540
2010 24–42 MPG $1,560–$3,360 26–29 MPG $2,250–$2,510
2009 24–42 MPG $1,560–$3,350 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,510
2008 24–42 MPG $1,560–$3,350 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,420
2007 23–42 MPG $1,560–$3,490 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,420
2006 23–42 MPG $1,560–$3,490 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720
2005 25–41 MPG $1,590–$2,610 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720
2004 25–41 MPG $1,590–$2,610 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720
2003 25–41 MPG $1,590–$2,610 25 MPG $2,610
2002 25–34 MPG $1,920–$2,610 25 MPG $2,610
2001 28–34 MPG $1,920–$2,250 25 MPG $2,610
2000 25–33 MPG $1,980–$3,210 22–24 MPG $2,720–$2,970

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Honda Civic or the Hyundai Elantra?

The Hyundai Elantra is cheaper: about $1,220 a year against $1,330 for the Honda Civic, a difference of $110 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Hyundai Elantra save over five years?

About $550 ($110 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Honda Civic or the Hyundai Elantra?

The Hyundai Elantra is rated 54 MPG combined against 49 MPG for the Honda Civic. City: 50 MPG vs 51 MPG. Highway: 47 MPG vs 58 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Honda Civic and the Hyundai Elantra in the same class?

Yes. The EPA classes both as Midsize cars.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles