2026 head-to-head · Midsize Car

2026 Hyundai Elantra vs Kia K4

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
$1,409/ year to fuel
33 MPG

The 2026 Hyundai Elantra is the cheaper one to run. Driving 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, it costs about $1,329 a year to fuel (35 MPG), versus $1,409 for the 2026 Kia K4 (33 MPG). That's roughly $81 a year, or about $403 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
  • Kia K4

Side by side

Hyundai ElantraKia K4
$1,329 Your annual fuel cost $1,409
35 MPG Combined efficiency 33 MPG
31 MPG City 29 MPG
40 MPG Highway 39 MPG
99 cu ft Passenger volume 99 cu ft
14 cu ft Cargo volume 15 cu ft
254 g/mi Tailpipe CO₂ (g/mi) 269 g/mi
6/10 EPA fuel economy score 6/10
6/10 EPA greenhouse gas score 6/10
Gas Powertrain Gas
Regular gasoline Fuel Regular gasoline
2.0L 4-cyl Engine / motor 2.0L 4-cyl
CVT Transmission CVT
FWD Drivetrain FWD

✓ 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 Kia K4 across model years

  • Hyundai Elantra
  • Kia K4

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 Kia K4 has more cargo space (15 vs. 14 cu ft).

Among 31 2026 midsize cars, the Hyundai Elantra ranks 11th and the Kia K4 13th for lowest fuel cost.

Frequently asked questions

Which is more fuel-efficient, the 2026 Hyundai Elantra or the 2026 Kia K4?

Measured by cost to drive, the Hyundai Elantra. The Hyundai Elantra is rated 35 MPG combined and the Kia K4 33 MPG (EPA, most efficient configuration of each).

How much does it cost to fuel the 2026 Hyundai Elantra vs. the Kia K4 per year?

At 15,000 miles a year with $3.10/gal regular gas, about $1,329 for the Hyundai Elantra and $1,409 for the Kia K4.

Which has more cargo space?

The Kia K4, with 15 cu ft of luggage volume versus 14 cu ft (EPA interior volume index).

Hyundai Elantra vs Kia K4 in other years

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