2012 Hyundai Elantra MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra is rated 26 to 32 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2012 Hyundai Elantra · 4 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

32MPG combined

28 city 38 highway

$2,100 a year to fuel

1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version saves $1,500 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.47 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Oct 2, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,100 to $2,600 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2011.

More complaints than a typical Elantra year

The 2012 drew 116 owner complaints in its first three years, against 101 for a typical Elantra year.

Years to avoid: 2013; best years: 2016 and 2019. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.

Every Elantra year ranked The 2012 Elantra's recalls and problems

Every 2012 Elantra version

EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.

Version	Combined	City / Hwy	Fuel / year
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic Best EPA listing: Elantra	32 mpg	28 / 38	$2,100
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Elantra	32 mpg	28 / 38	$2,100
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 4-speed automatic EPA listing: Elantra Touring	26 mpg	23 / 30	$2,600
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed manual EPA listing: Elantra Touring	26 mpg	23 / 30	$2,600

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.47 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,095	$175	$10,477
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,095	$175	$10,477
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 4-speed automatic	$2,579	$215	$12,894
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 5-speed manual	$2,579	$215	$12,894

At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.

Hyundai Elantra MPG by model year

The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 29 to 37 mpg (every year from 2010 to 2026); highest in 2021. Hybrid: 54 mpg (2021 to 2026).

Best gas version
Best hybrid version

2012: gas 32 mpg · hybrid not offered

Show as a table

Hyundai Elantra best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version	Best hybrid version
2010	29	–
2011	32	–
2012	32	–
2013	32	–
2014	31	–
2015	31	–
2016	31	–
2017	35	–
2018	35	–
2019	35	–
2020	36	–
2021	37	54
2022	37	54
2023	37	54
2024	36	54
2025	36	54
2026	35	54

Every Elantra year's ratings in one table

How the 2012 Elantra compares

2012 compact cars covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.

2012 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Prius Best: hybrid	48 mpg	–	$1,400
Honda Civic Best: hybrid	44 mpg	32 mpg	$1,500
Hyundai Elantra This page Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$2,100
Mazda3 Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$2,100
Volkswagen Jetta Best: diesel	32 mpg	28 mpg	$2,400
Kia Forte Best: gas	30 mpg	30 mpg	$2,250
Toyota Corolla Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,300
Nissan Sentra Best: gas	29 mpg	29 mpg	$2,300

Hyundai Elantra vs Honda CivicMPG, fuel cost, recalls and crash tests side by side

2012 Elantra recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 675 owner complaints for the 2012 Elantra.

Owners most often describe the airbag warning light (87 complaints, 13%), then the engine not starting (69). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 4 to 5 stars for the versions it has rated.

See the 2012 Elantra recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2012 Hyundai Elantra need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2012 Hyundai Elantra version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2012 Elantra's MPG compare with the 2011?

For 2012, the best gas version is rated 32 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 29, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.47, midgrade $5.07, premium $5.48, diesel $6.38 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Oct 2, 2026 and complaint file dated Oct 2, 2026.

Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.