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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $22,350–$27,185 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2019 Hyundai Elantra S is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.6/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Value at 8.2/10, while Performance at 6.5/10 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: 7.8/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 8.1/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.5/10 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 7.6/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $22,350–$27,185, 28 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Elantra S sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. Its value score of 8.2/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 7 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 2019 Hyundai Elantra S 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 2019 Hyundai Elantra S ranks #494 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 62% of the segment. Its 7.6/10 overall score is 0.1 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $22,350 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 19%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2016 Hyundai Elantra S scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2019's 7.6 — and starts roughly $2,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| 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 (this review) | 7.6/10 | $22,350 | |
| 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 | 7.5/10 | $19,194 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.