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Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Sentra: 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 $1,960 for the Nissan Sentra (Sentra (3-mode), 33 MPG combined). That is $740 a year, or $3,700 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.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

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

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Gas
  • Midsize cars

Nissan Sentra

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Sentra (3-mode)

33 MPG
Combined
30 MPG
City
38 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,960

$13.07 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

3 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Hyundai Elantra$1,220 a year · $8.13 per 100 mi
  • Nissan Sentra$1,960 a year · $13.07 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$740

Hyundai Elantra costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$3,700

$740 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sentra compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Hyundai Elantra Nissan Sentra
Lowest-cost configuration Elantra Hybrid BlueSentra (3-mode)
Powertrain HybridGas
Combined rating 54 MPG (better)33 MPG
City rating 51 MPG (better)30 MPG
Highway rating 58 MPG (better)38 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,220/yr (better)$1,960/yr
Cost per 100 miles $8.13 (better)$13.07
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,220–$3,550$1,960–$2,040
Configurations in MY2026 73
EPA class Midsize carsMidsize cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sentra
Powertrain Hyundai Elantra Nissan Sentra
Gas 35 MPG · $1,880/yr Elantra w/Stop-Start 33 MPG · $1,960/yr Sentra (3-mode)
Hybrid 54 MPG · $1,220/yr Elantra Hybrid Blue Not offered in MY2026

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.

Hyundai Elantra

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,220 vs $1,960
  • Higher combined rating: 54 MPG vs 33 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 51 MPG vs 30 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 58 MPG vs 38 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $1,880 vs $1,960
  • Offers hybrid configurations in MY2026; the Nissan Sentra does not

Nissan Sentra

Not ahead on any measure listed here.

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Sentra
Model year Hyundai Elantra Nissan Sentra
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550 32–33 MPG $1,960–$2,040
2025 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550 33–34 MPG $1,920–$1,980
2024 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550 33–34 MPG $1,920–$1,980
2023 23–54 MPG $1,210–$3,490 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,010
2022 23–54 MPG $1,210–$3,490 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,010
2021 28–54 MPG $1,210–$2,320 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,040
2020 26–36 MPG $1,810–$2,560 32–33 MPG $1,970–$2,050
2019 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,610 27–32 MPG $2,020–$2,980
2018 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,660 27–32 MPG $2,030–$2,980
2017 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,610 27–32 MPG $2,040–$2,980
2016 27–31 MPG $2,090–$2,420 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,190
2015 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,410 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,190
2014 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,420 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,190
2013 30–32 MPG $2,040–$2,180 30–33 MPG $1,960–$2,180
2012 26–32 MPG $2,040–$2,540 24–29 MPG $2,240–$3,400
2011 26–32 MPG $2,020–$2,540 24–29 MPG $2,240–$3,400
2010 26–29 MPG $2,250–$2,510 24–29 MPG $2,250–$3,350
2009 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,510 24–29 MPG $2,250–$3,350
2008 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,420 24–28 MPG $2,330–$3,350
2007 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,420 24–28 MPG $2,330–$3,350
2006 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2005 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2004 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2003 25 MPG $2,610 22–28 MPG $2,330–$2,970
2002 25 MPG $2,610 22–27 MPG $2,420–$2,970
2001 25 MPG $2,610 23–26 MPG $2,510–$2,840
2000 22–24 MPG $2,720–$2,970 23–26 MPG $2,510–$2,840

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 Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Sentra?

The Hyundai Elantra is cheaper: about $1,220 a year against $1,960 for the Nissan Sentra, a difference of $740 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 $3,700 ($740 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 Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Sentra?

The Hyundai Elantra is rated 54 MPG combined against 33 MPG for the Nissan Sentra. City: 51 MPG vs 30 MPG. Highway: 58 MPG vs 38 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 Hyundai Elantra and the Nissan Sentra 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