2017 Hyundai Elantra
Independent review & score by Carivo
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Engine | 1.4L 4-Cylinder |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Automatic (AM7) |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| City / Hwy MPG | 32 / 40 MPG |
| Combined MPG | 35 MPG |
| Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $1,950 |
| CO₂ Emissions | 256 g/mi |
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $18,063–$21,452 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.1/10, while Performance at 6.3/10 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. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.7/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.0/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.3/10 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. At 7.1/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $18,063–$21,452, 26 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Elantra sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.1/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 9 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2017 Hyundai Elantra will scare a sensible buyer off. Keep an eye on performance if those matter to you; otherwise it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
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 2017 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 $18,063 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 35%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Elantra model years we've scored, the 2017 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 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $18,063 | |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $17,377 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.5/10 | $16,691 | Read review → |
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.
| Steering / Electric power assist system 28/03/2017 · 17V213000 | Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. The affected vehicles may have a damaged Electronic Power Steering (MDPS) connector resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance. |
|---|---|
| Air bags / Frontal / Driver side / Inflator module 30/12/2016 · 16V956000 | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2017 Hyundai Elantra vehicles manufactured April 15, 2016, to September 13, 2016, and Sonata vehicles manufactured May 27, 2016 to September 16, 2016. In these vehicles, the end seal for the… |
| Service brakes, hydraulic / Power assist / Hydraulic 26/01/2017 · 17V063000 | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2017 Elantra vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the brake booster may fail, resulting in a loss of power brake assist. |
| Air bags / Frontal 21/04/2016 · 16V232000 | Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Sonata vehicles manufactured May 29, 2014 to February 11, 2016, 2017 Elantra vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016 to February 22, 2016, and one 2016 Sonata Hybrid vehicle… |
Source: NHTSA recall database, fetched at page build time.
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.