Honda Civic 82·Hyundai Elantra 83on the MotiveGrid Score·Honda Civic about $2,648 less over 5 years
The verdict
The 2026 Honda Civic is the cheaper one to own — roughly $2,648 less over five years, mostly because it holds its value better.
The Honda Civic is the stronger all-round pick here — cheaper to own with little given up in return.
Last updated May 2026 · National-average estimates
Honda Civic vs. Hyundai Elantra
MotiveGrid scores, key specs, and five-year cost comparison: 2026 Honda Civic versus 2026 Hyundai Elantra.
Metric
Honda Civic
Hyundai Elantra
MotiveGrid Score
82
83
Cost of Ownership
93
90
Powertrain
60
73
Driver Assistance
43
32
Livability
71
70
Safety
77
79
5-Year Cost to Own
$33,825
$36,472
Depreciation (5-yr)
$7,532
$9,367
Fuel / Energy (5-yr)
$9,352
$9,621
Insurance (5-yr)
$9,545
$10,370
Maintenance (5-yr)
$1,340
$1,415
Tires (5-yr)
$1,550
$1,550
Financing (5-yr)
$3,716
$3,404
Registration (5-yr)
$790
$745
Starting Price
$24,695
$22,625
Horsepower
158 hp
147 hp
MPG (combined)
36 mpg
35 mpg
Cargo volume
14.8 cu ft
14.2 cu ft
Seating
5
5
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
Gas
2026$24,695
MSRP
$24,695
Mo · 5yr
$564
$33,825 / 5 years
Best for long-term savings
Gas
2026$22,625
MSRP
$22,625
Mo · 5yr
$608
$36,472 / 5 years
Best for lower upfront price
VS
01 · The MotiveGrid Score
Five measured pillars, weighted into one score.
Cost, Powertrain, Driver Assistance, Livability, and Safety — each scored against its class, then combined into a single MotiveGrid Score. Built by our engineering team and benchmarked against independent sources like NHTSA, IIHS, and CarEdge. How it’s calculated →
Hyundai Elantra scores higher overall.
Honda Civic
0
/ 100
Hyundai Elantra
0
/ 100
CostFive-year all-in cost to own, benchmarked against the class median.
Civic
93
Elantra
90
Winner: Civic
$2,648 cheaper / 5 yrs
PowertrainEnergy efficiency paired with long-term ownership confidence.
Civic
60
Elantra
73
Winner: Elantra
+13 pts
Driver AssistHighway driving support, parking convenience, and hands-free automation.
Civic
43
Elantra
32
Winner: Civic
+11 pts
Strong highway driving support▲
LivabilityPassenger space, cargo room, and everyday maneuverability.
Civic
71
Elantra
70
Winner: Civic
+1 pts
SafetyCrash-test protection plus standard crash-avoidance features.
Honda Civic is the better pick for long-term ownership — about $2,648 cheaper over 5 years with stronger fundamentals on running cost.
Hyundai Elantra still wins if your priority is best for lower upfront price.
Daily commuter
Honda Civic
Lowest energy cost per mile
Budget-focused
Honda Civic
Cheapest to own across 5 years
Family hauler
Hyundai Elantra
Balanced value for families
Highway driver
Honda Civic
Better adaptive cruise + lane keep
City driver
Hyundai Elantra
Easiest to park and maneuver in tight spots
03
Cost of Ownership
Monthly running costs — national baseline.
Adjust for your situation
State
Miles/yr15,000
Loan rate7%
Down payment20%
Honda Civic
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$564
$33,825 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$564/mo
Hyundai Elantra
Monthly · 5-Year avg
$608
$36,472 total / 5 years
Total · monthly$608/mo
💡
On fuel + maintenance alone, the pricier Honda Civic would need 30.1 years to recoup its $2,070 price premium ($69/yr in savings) — longer than most people own a car. Depreciation and insurance aren’t included in this payback view.
04
Frequently asked questions
Honda Civic comes out about $2,648 cheaper over 5 years on running costs (depreciation, fuel/energy, insurance, maintenance, financing). The gap shifts with your state, annual miles, and loan rate — use the "Adjust for your situation" panel above.
