2016 Hyundai Elantra MPG and Fuel Cost

The 2016 Hyundai Elantra is rated 27 to 31 mpg combined across 7 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic.

EPA fuel economy

2016 Hyundai Elantra · 7 EPA-tested versions

Best EPA rating

31MPG combined

28 city 37 highway

$2,000 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score8/10

1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic

Best version saves $1,000 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)

Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,000 to $2,300 a year. Ratings for the best versions are unchanged from 2015.

One of the best Elantra years by owner complaints

The 2016 drew 61 owner complaints in its first three years, against 101 for a typical Elantra year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.

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

Every Elantra year ranked The 2016 Elantra's recalls and problems

Every 2016 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	31 mpg	28 / 37	$2,000
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Limited EPA listing: Elantra Limited	30 mpg	27 / 36	$2,100
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Elantra	30 mpg	27 / 36	$2,100
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic EPA listing: Elantra	28 mpg	24 / 35	$2,200
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual EPA listing: Elantra	28 mpg	24 / 34	$2,200
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · GT EPA listing: Elantra GT	27 mpg	24 / 32	$2,300
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · GT EPA listing: Elantra GT	27 mpg	24 / 32	$2,300

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 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	$1,935	$161	$9,677
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · Limited	$2,000	$167	$10,000
1.8L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,000	$167	$10,000
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual	$2,143	$179	$10,714
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed automatic · GT	$2,222	$185	$11,111
2.0L 4-cyl · FWD · 6-speed manual · GT	$2,222	$185	$11,111

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

2016: gas 31 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 2016 Elantra compares

2016 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.

2016 model	Best combined	Best gas	Fuel / year
Toyota Prius Best: hybrid	56 mpg	–	$1,100
Volkswagen Jetta Best: hybrid	44 mpg	33 mpg	$1,750
Honda Civic Best: gas	35 mpg	35 mpg	$1,800
Toyota Corolla Best: gas	34 mpg	34 mpg	$1,850
Nissan Sentra Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Mazda3 Best: gas	33 mpg	33 mpg	$1,900
Hyundai Elantra This page Best: gas	31 mpg	31 mpg	$2,000
Kia Forte Best: gas	30 mpg	30 mpg	$2,100

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

2016 Elantra recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 300 owner complaints for the 2016 Elantra.

Owners most often describe stalling (47 complaints, 16%), then the check engine light (24). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2016 Elantra recalls and problems

Questions

Does the 2016 Hyundai Elantra need premium gas?

No. EPA lists every 2016 Hyundai Elantra version on regular gasoline.

How does the 2016 Elantra's MPG compare with the 2015?

For 2016, the best gas version is rated 31 mpg, the same as the year before.

Sources and method

US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 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.