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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $22,590–$30,049 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Hyundai Elantra SL is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.5/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Reliability at 7.9/10, while Performance at 6.4/10 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: 7.9/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. Safety lands at 7.9/10 — solid, though some rivals offer more advanced driver-assist features as standard. Confirm official results for your trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Performance at 6.4/10 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 7.2/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $22,590–$30,049, 25 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Elantra SL sits in the budget-friendly tier of the sedan market. At 7.7/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 10 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 2016 Hyundai Elantra SL 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 2016 Hyundai Elantra SL 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 $22,590 starting price undercuts the segment's median of $27,664 by about 18%.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking →
Across the Elantra SL model years we've scored, the 2016 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 | $30,615 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.8/10 | $29,724 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.9/10 | $28,832 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.8/10 | $27,940 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.8/10 | $27,049 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.6/10 | $26,157 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.6/10 | $25,265 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | $24,373 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $23,481 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.5/10 | $22,590 | |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $21,698 | Read review → |
Explore the full lineup of Hyundai models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.