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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $19,194–$23,404 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2015 Hyundai Elantra S at 7.5/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. 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. We score reliability at 7.8/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.0/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.4/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $19,194–$23,404, 24 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Elantra S sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. The 7.8/10 value score says the pricing is fair rather than generous; cross-shop the segment before signing anything. 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.
Our take: The 2015 Hyundai Elantra S is a solid, well-rounded sedan that covers the essentials without obvious deal-breakers. The main caveat is performance — worth checking if those dimensions are priorities for you. For most buyers in this segment, it's a safe, dependable choice.
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 S 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 $19,194 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 31%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Elantra S 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) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7.9/10 | $27,082 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.9/10 | $26,294 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $25,505 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $24,716 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $23,928 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $23,139 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $22,350 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.6/10 | $21,561 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.5/10 | $20,772 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.5/10 | $19,983 | Read review → |
| 2015 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $19,194 |
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.