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Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Prius: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Toyota Prius is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,150 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Prius, 57 MPG combined), against $1,220 for the Hyundai Elantra (Elantra Hybrid Blue, 54 MPG combined). That is $70 a year, or $350 over five years.

One of the two is offered only with a hybrid or plug-in hybrid powertrain in this model year; the other has gasoline configurations. 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
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Toyota Prius

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Prius

57 MPG
Combined
57 MPG
City
56 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,150

$7.67 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 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
  • Toyota Prius$1,150 a year · $7.67 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$70

Toyota Prius costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$350

$70 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Hyundai Elantra Toyota Prius
Lowest-cost configuration Elantra Hybrid BluePrius
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 54 MPG57 MPG (better)
City rating 51 MPG57 MPG (better)
Highway rating 58 MPG (better)56 MPG
Annual fuel cost $1,220/yr$1,150/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $8.13$7.67 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,220–$3,550$1,150–$1,330
Configurations in MY2026 74
EPA class Midsize carsMidsize cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius
Powertrain Hyundai Elantra Toyota Prius
Gas 35 MPG · $1,880/yr Elantra w/Stop-Start Not offered in MY2026
Hybrid 54 MPG · $1,220/yr Elantra Hybrid Blue 57 MPG · $1,150/yr Prius

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

  • Higher highway rating: 58 MPG vs 56 MPG
  • Offers gas configurations in MY2026; the Toyota Prius does not

Toyota Prius

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,150 vs $1,220
  • Higher combined rating: 57 MPG vs 54 MPG
  • Higher city rating: 57 MPG vs 51 MPG

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Prius
Model year Hyundai Elantra Toyota Prius
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550 49–57 MPG $1,150–$1,330
2025 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550 48–57 MPG $870–$1,330
2024 23–54 MPG $1,220–$3,550 49–57 MPG $1,150–$1,330
2023 23–54 MPG $1,210–$3,490 49–57 MPG $1,150–$1,330
2022 23–54 MPG $1,210–$3,490 49–56 MPG $1,170–$1,330
2021 28–54 MPG $1,210–$2,320 49–56 MPG $1,170–$1,330
2020 26–36 MPG $1,810–$2,560 46–56 MPG $1,170–$1,410
2019 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,610 50–56 MPG $1,170–$1,310
2018 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,660 52–56 MPG $1,170–$1,250
2017 25–35 MPG $1,880–$2,610 52–56 MPG $1,170–$1,260
2016 27–31 MPG $2,090–$2,420 52–56 MPG $1,170–$1,250
2015 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,410 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2014 27–31 MPG $2,110–$2,420 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2013 30–32 MPG $2,040–$2,180 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2012 26–32 MPG $2,040–$2,540 48–50 MPG $1,200–$1,370
2011 26–32 MPG $2,020–$2,540 48 MPG $1,370
2010 26–29 MPG $2,250–$2,510 50 MPG $1,310
2009 26–28 MPG $2,330–$2,510 46 MPG $1,420
2008 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,420 46 MPG $1,420
2007 27–28 MPG $2,330–$2,420 46 MPG $1,420
2006 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 46 MPG $1,420
2005 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 46 MPG $1,420
2004 24–26 MPG $2,510–$2,720 46 MPG $1,420
2003 25 MPG $2,610 41 MPG $1,590
2002 25 MPG $2,610 41 MPG $1,590
2001 25 MPG $2,610 41 MPG $1,590

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 Toyota Prius?

The Toyota Prius is cheaper: about $1,150 a year against $1,220 for the Hyundai Elantra, a difference of $70 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 Toyota Prius save over five years?

About $350 ($70 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 Toyota Prius?

The Toyota Prius is rated 57 MPG combined against 54 MPG for the Hyundai Elantra. City: 51 MPG vs 57 MPG. Highway: 58 MPG vs 56 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 Toyota Prius 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