carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 2.0L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 24 / 35 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 28 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,400 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 314 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $16,691–$20,352 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
With an overall Carivo score of 7.5/10, the 2015 Hyundai Elantra earns a Recommended rating among the sedans we've scored. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.0/10, while Performance at 6.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. Reliability comes in at 7.8/10 in our assessment — above the middle of the pack for this class, though not flawless. On safety it earns 8.0/10: respectable, if not class-leading — several competitors bundle more driver-assist tech as standard. Check your trim's official ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.2/10 is a genuine liability and a score that should factor heavily into any buying decision. The powertrain and chassis dynamics trail class rivals by a meaningful margin — don't overlook it. Technology comes in at 7.2/10 — functional and modern, with wireless connectivity and core ADAS features, though some competitors pack more standard tech at this price point.
Priced from $16,691–$20,352, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Elantra sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 8.0/10 value score is the headline: relative to what it costs, this sedan delivers more than most of the class. At 11 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Bottom line: Think of the 2015 Hyundai Elantra as the dependable pick rather than the exciting one. Its softer scores in performance are the only real asterisks. Shoppers who value predictability over headlines will be well served.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra ranks #585 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 55% of the segment. Its 7.5/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $16,691 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 40%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Across the Elantra model years we've scored, the 2015 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.9/10 | $23,550 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $23,550 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $22,865 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $22,179 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $21,493 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $20,807 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $20,121 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.7/10 | $19,435 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $18,749 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $18,063 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $17,377 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $16,691 |
The following recall campaigns have been filed with NHTSA for this model and year. Recall repairs are performed free of charge by franchised dealers; check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip / Control unit/module 22/09/2023 · 23V651000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and… |
|---|---|
| Latches/locks/linkages / Trunk lid / Latch 23/02/2024 · 24V146000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor… |
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 15/05/2026 · 26V307000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Elantra and 2016 Elantra GT vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may rupture during deployment. |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
We rate the 2015 Hyundai Elantra's reliability 7.8/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class. It has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on record for this model year (details in the recalls section above — repairs are free at dealers).
3 NHTSA recall campaigns matched this model and year as of our latest check. Verify your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
It scores 7.5/10 overall, ranking #585 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 55% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2015 Hyundai Elantra starts at $16,691 and ranges up to $20,352 across trims (MSRP when new). At 24 MPG, expect roughly $2,188/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.