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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $27,082–$31,158 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra S is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.9/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.5/10, while Performance at 6.7/10 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: 8.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.5/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.7/10 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 7.8/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $27,082–$31,158, 34 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Elantra S sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. Its value score of 8.3/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 1 year old, it's recent enough that the core feature set holds up well against current competition.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2025 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 2025 Hyundai Elantra S ranks #272 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 79% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $27,082 starting price sits close to the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Smart-money pick: the 2022 Hyundai Elantra S scores 7.8/10 — within striking distance of the 2025's 7.9 — 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 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $27,082 | |
| 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 | 7.5/10 | $19,194 | Read review → |
We rate the 2025 Hyundai Elantra S's reliability 8.2/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #272 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 79% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2025 Hyundai Elantra S starts at $27,082 and ranges up to $31,158 across trims (MSRP when new). At 34 MPG, expect roughly $1,544/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.