Hyundai Elantra vs. Hyundai Sonata

Compare repair costs, reliability, and owner reviews

Hyundai Elantra

$452
Average Annual
Repair Cost

Hyundai Sonata

$458
Average Annual
Repair Cost

Overall Reliability Rating

4
1
2
Excellent
The Hyundai Elantra Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 8th out of 36 for compact cars. The average annual repair cost is $452 which means it has excellent ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are both much lower than other vehicles, so the Elantra is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
4
Excellent
The Hyundai Sonata Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 5th out of 24 for midsize cars. The average annual repair cost is $458 which means it has excellent ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are lower than other vehicles, so the Sonata is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road.
Cost
Average annual repairs total
$452
inexpensive
expensive
$458
inexpensive
expensive
Frequency
Average annual repair shop visits
0.27
not often
very often
0.27
not often
very often
Severity
Percentage of annual repairs that are urgent
9%
not urgent
urgent
11%
not urgent
urgent

Overall Car Ratings & Details

5 (12)
4 (37)
3 (22)
2 (5)
1 (3)
The Hyundai Elantra ranks highest in value and ranks lowest in safety.
“great all around car, price & reliability makes this car a gem”
“great all around car, price & reliability makes this car a gem”
5 (15)
4 (30)
3 (18)
2 (5)
1 (2)
The Hyundai Sonata ranks highest in interior and ranks lowest in value.
“What a treat it is to drive my Sonata! even after 100000 miles with no minor or major repairs and only scheduled maintainance, my Sonata is as smooth and quiet as the day I took delivery. It's...”
“What a treat it is to drive my Sonata! even after 100000 miles with no minor or major repairs...”

Vehicle Comparison Rundown

As you might expect, the Hyundai Sonata and Hyundai Elantra have a lot in common. Both are four-door sedans with similar styling and technology. The Sonata is a midsize sedan, refreshed for 2018, and the Elantra is a compact sedan that got a makeover in 2017. Let’s look at how else they differ.

The Sonata is a larger vehicle, with a wider back seat and a larger trunk. It will be a smoother, quieter highway cruiser. The Elantra is more trim and nimble, and will excel in the cut-vs-thrust of urban driving. As you would expect, the smaller Elantra is priced several thousand dollars lower than the Sonata.

Both offer performance versions with turbocharged engines, if you’d like to have more power at your command. The choice depends on your needs and your budget.