2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2026 Hyundai Elantra vs Subaru WRX

MPG, range and what each one really costs you to fuel, from official EPA ratings and recalculated with your own gas and electricity prices.

Swap sides
✓ Cheaper to run
$1,329/ year to fuel
35 MPG
✓ Cheaper to run
$2,693/ year to fuel
22 MPG

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, it costs about $1,329 a year to fuel (35 MPG), versus $2,693 for the 2026 Subaru WRX (22 MPG). That's roughly $1,365 a year, or about $6,823 over five years.

Your numbers

Change these to match your driving and local prices. Every figure and chart on this page updates.

Fuel cost over 10 years

  • Hyundai Elantra
  • Subaru WRX

Side by side

Hyundai ElantraSubaru WRX
$1,329 Your annual fuel cost $2,693
35 MPG Combined efficiency 22 MPG
31 MPG City 19 MPG
40 MPG Highway 26 MPG
99 cu ft Passenger volume 98 cu ft
14 cu ft Cargo volume 12 cu ft
254 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 412 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 4/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 4/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Premium gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl Engine / motor 2.4L 4-cyl turbo
CVT Transmission 6-speed manual
FWD Drivetrain AWD

✓ marks the better value. EPA scores run 1–10 (10 is best). Volumes come from the EPA interior volume index and aren't published for every body style.

Hyundai Elantra vs Subaru WRX across model years

  • Hyundai Elantra
  • Subaru WRX

Annual fuel cost of the most efficient configuration of each model year, at your prices. Click a point to open that year.

How they differ

Per EPA interior volume figures, the Hyundai Elantra has more cargo space (14 vs. 12 cu ft).

Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the Hyundai Elantra ranks 11th and the Subaru WRX 29th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra or the 2026 Subaru WRX?

Measured by cost to drive, the Hyundai Elantra. The Hyundai Elantra is rated 35 MPG combined and the Subaru WRX 22 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Hyundai Elantra vs. the Subaru WRX per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas and $3.95/gal premium gas, about $1,329 for the Hyundai Elantra and $2,693 for the Subaru WRX.

Which has more cargo space?

The Hyundai Elantra, with 14 cu ft of luggage volume versus 12 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Hyundai Elantra vs Subaru WRX in other years

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