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Independent review & score by Carivo
| 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 Base 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 Base 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 Base 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 Base 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 → · Best Sedans under $25k →
Across the Elantra Base 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
We rate the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Base's reliability 7.7/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
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 2017 Hyundai Elantra Base starts at $18,063 and ranges up to $21,452 across trims (MSRP when new). At 26 MPG, expect roughly $2,019/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.