Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Camry
Choosing between the Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Camry is really a question of total cost, not sticker price. Below we compare both over five years — depreciation, fuel, insurance and maintenance — then let you run your own mileage.
2026 Hyundai Elantra
SE
2026 Toyota Camry
LE FWD Hybrid
| $22,625 | MSRP (base, excl. dest.) | $29,000 |
| 35 MPG | Combined MPG | 51 MPG |
| $33,321 | 5-yr cost of ownership | $35,197 |
| $0.56 | Cost per mile | $0.59 |
Over five years, the Hyundai Elantra is the cheaper to own by about $1,876 on these modeled defaults (12,000 mi/yr). Every figure is an editable estimate — run the calculators with your own mileage, financing and local prices.
Run at 12,000 miles a year for five years, MotorCrunch's ownership model puts the Hyundai Elantra at $33,321 all-in against $35,197 for the Toyota Camry — a gap of $1,876, about $375 a year. That is close to a wash: your own insurance quotes and annual mileage will move the answer more than the default scenario does.
The biggest line separating them is depreciation: roughly $16,872 for the Camry versus $13,713 for the Elantra over five years. With the same drivetrain type, the spread comes down to depreciation (17% vs 16% a year) and each model's insurance risk factor (1.00× vs 1.00×).
On sticker, the Camry starts about $6,375 higher. Since depreciation compounds off the price you actually pay, the pricier car usually loses more dollars too — the calculator below lets you test both at your own mileage before the sticker decides for you.
Key assumptions for this page
Modeled figures: values tagged modeled are MotorCrunch modeled estimates — outputs of our own transparent models, not published statistics or quotes. Computed with MotorCrunch's ownership-cost model: compounding depreciation, energy at national average prices, modeled insurance and maintenance baselines. Miles ÷ efficiency × national average energy price (last-known-good published price, see /data-sources). Computed with MotorCrunch's premium-factor model (the same model as the estimator widget) at a default driver profile, using this page's vehicle value. Full method: Methodology.
Data updated: 2026-07-17 — verify before purchase.
Hyundai Elantra vs Toyota Camry: run the numbers
Cheaper to own over 5 years
Hyundai Elantra
by $1,876 — Hyundai Elantra: $33,321 · Toyota Camry: $35,197
Lower 5-year total cost
🏆 Hyundai Elantra
Lower fuel cost
🏆 Toyota Camry
Lower depreciation
🏆 Hyundai Elantra
Lower insurance estimate
🏆 Hyundai Elantra
Lower cost per mile
🏆 Hyundai Elantra
Baseline 5-year cost breakdown
MSRP + EPA efficiency · USD| Cost | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Depreciation | $13,713 | $16,872 |
| Fuel | $5,829 | $4,000 |
| Insurance | $8,780 | $9,325 |
| Maintenance | $5,000 | $5,000 |
| 5-year total | $33,321 | $35,197 |
| Cost per mile | $0.56 | $0.59 |
Customize your scenario
The baseline uses each car's MSRP, EPA-rated efficiency and segment-typical depreciation. Change the assumptions below to match how you actually drive — your result may differ from the baseline.
5-year cost by annual mileage
| Miles / year | Hyundai Elantra | Toyota Camry | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 mi | $31,378 | $33,863 | Elantra |
| 12,000 mi· now | $33,321 | $35,197 | Elantra |
| 15,000 mi | $34,778 | $36,197 | Elantra |
| 20,000 mi | $37,207 | $37,863 | Elantra |
| 30,000 mi | $42,064 | $41,197 | Camry |
Estimates only, not quotes. Depreciation and maintenance use segment-typical modeled assumptions; insurance is a MotorCrunch modeled estimate for a typical driver profile based on each model's value — not an insurer quote. Verify with dealers and insurers before deciding.
Good to know
Specific, useful answers for this page.
Is the Hyundai Elantra or the Toyota Camry cheaper to own?＋
Over five years, total ownership cost comes down to depreciation, fuel, insurance and maintenance. The breakdown above totals both side by side so you can see the real gap, not just the sticker difference.
What's the biggest cost difference between them?＋
Usually depreciation and insurance dominate. The Elantra depreciates faster, while insurance tracks each car's risk factor (Elantra: 1.00×, Camry: 1.00×).
Does the price gap between the Elantra and Camry matter long term?＋
The Camry costs about $6k more upfront, and since depreciation is a percentage of price, the costlier car usually loses more dollars too. With similar drivetrains, fuel and maintenance land close, leaving depreciation and insurance as the deciders.