carivo.co
Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $27,049–$31,439 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
Our scoring places the 2021 Hyundai Elantra SL at 7.8/10 overall, which translates to a Recommended rating for this sedan. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.2/10, 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. We score reliability at 8.0/10 — better than most direct rivals, if short of the segment's best. The safety score of 8.2/10 is solid mid-pack territory. If advanced driver aids matter to you, compare standard equipment carefully and verify ratings at nhtsa.gov.
Performance at 6.7/10 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. Tech rates a reasonable 7.7/10: the essentials are covered and well executed, but rivals at the same price often include more as standard.
Priced from $27,049–$31,439, 30 MPG, seating 5, the Hyundai Elantra SL sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. Value is where it presses its advantage — 8.1/10, meaning the feature set and quality outrun the asking price. At 5 years old, it's worth checking whether a newer generation or refresh has addressed any weaker dimensions — compare it to the current model year before buying.
Our take: The 2021 Hyundai Elantra SL 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 2021 Hyundai Elantra SL ranks #347 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 74% of the segment. Its 7.8/10 overall score is 0.3 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $27,049 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 2018 Hyundai Elantra SL scores 7.5/10 — within striking distance of the 2021's 7.8 — 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 | $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 (this review) | 7.8/10 | $27,049 | |
| 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 | 7.5/10 | $22,590 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.4/10 | $21,698 | Read review → |
We rate the 2021 Hyundai Elantra SL's reliability 8.0/10 — one of the stronger records in its class.
It scores 7.8/10 overall, ranking #347 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 74% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2021 Hyundai Elantra SL starts at $27,049 and ranges up to $31,439 across trims (MSRP when new). At 30 MPG, expect roughly $1,750/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.