Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Camry

2026 Hyundai Elantra vs 2026 Toyota Camry — two midsize cars compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

Hyundai Elantra

2026 Hyundai Elantra

Midsize CarsHybrid/EV
VS5 – 1Hyundai Elantra wins 5 of 6 categories
Toyota Camry

2026 Toyota Camry

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Hyundai Elantra is more fuel-efficient: 54 vs 51 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $50 a year less in fuel for the Hyundai Elantra (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Camry is the bigger car, about 8 inches longer.

Across all model years since 2005, the Hyundai Elantra has had fewer recall campaigns (40 vs 44).

The two cars

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is a midsize car offered with 4 engines (1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo and 2.0L 4-cyl turbo), including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive. It measures about 185 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,725 lb (4dr Sedan).

The 2026 Toyota Camry is a midsize car offered with a 2.5L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. It measures about 194 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 111-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,627 lb (4dr Sedan AWD).

Buying used? The 2024 Elantra and the 2024 Camry have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2017 Elantra and the 2018 Camry.

Basics

Midsize Cars
Class
Midsize Cars
Hybrid, Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid
1.6L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

54 MPG
Best combined MPG
51 MPG
51 city
City / highway MPG (best)
52 city
$1,250
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,300

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
184 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
185.4 in
Length
193.7 in
71.7 in
Width
72.4 in
55.9 in
Height
57.1 in
2,725 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,494 lb

Safety & reliability

13
Driver-assist features standard
11
4
Recalls (2026)
3
40
Recalls, all years since 2005
44
4
Owner complaints (latest year)
145

Interest

22,416
Wikipedia views, 30 days
34,633

Buying used

Best used year
Year to avoid

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Hyundai Elantra if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (54 vs 51 MPG)
  • You want something easier to park (8 in shorter)
  • You want more standard driver-assist tech

Choose the Toyota Camry if…

  • You want more room (8 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD

Pros & cons of each

2026 Hyundai Elantra

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 54 MPG combined — 73% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

2026 Toyota Camry

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 51 MPG combined — 63% better than the average 2026 midsize car (31.2 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.

Full 2026 Hyundai Elantra specs →Full 2026 Toyota Camry specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →