Hyundai Elantra vs Kia K4 Hatchback: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Kia K4 Hatchback costs about $1,459 less

That's $20 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Elantra Essential$961/moTrue cost

K4 Hatchback LX✓ $940/moTrue cost

2026 Hyundai Elantra

Closest matching trim: Elantra Essential

Sticker (MSRP)$23,499

+$6,271→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$29,770

+ running costs→↓− $12,925 resale

True cost$961/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Kia K4 Hatchback

Closest matching trim: K4 Hatchback LX

Sticker (MSRP)$24,795

+$6,364→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$31,159

+ running costs→↓− $12,150 resale

True cost$940/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $23,499	$24,795	Elantra by $1,296
Freight and fees, before tax	$2,846	✓ $2,780	K4 Hatchback by $66
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $3,425	$3,585	Elantra by $160
Drive-away price	✓ $29,770	$31,159	Elantra by $1,389
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $11,383	$12,722	Elantra by $1,339
Insurance (estimate)	$21,116	✓ $17,091	K4 Hatchback by $4,025
Maintenance (estimate)	$8,043	✓ $6,544	K4 Hatchback by $1,499
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $5,209	$5,502	Elantra by $293
Lost return on your money	✓ $6,479	$6,747	Elantra by $268
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$12,925	−$12,150	Elantra by $775
Total
True cost	$69,166	✓ $67,708	K4 Hatchback by $1,458
True cost a month	$961/mo	✓ $940/mo	K4 Hatchback by $21
You pay each month	$981/mo	✓ $946/mo	K4 Hatchback by $35
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	3	5	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	402	✓ 629	—
Length	4.71 m	4.43 m	—
Ground clearance	14 cm	14 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 55%	49%	—
US crash test	✓ 5★	Not rated yet	—
European crash test	—	✓ 4★ (2025); 5★ with pack	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Elantra Essential ✓ $23,499K4 Hatchback LX $24,795Cheaper by Elantra by $1,296

Freight and fees, before tax

Elantra Essential $2,846K4 Hatchback LX ✓ $2,780Cheaper by K4 Hatchback by $66

Sales tax (HST)

Elantra Essential ✓ $3,425K4 Hatchback LX $3,585Cheaper by Elantra by $160

Drive-away price

Elantra Essential ✓ $29,770K4 Hatchback LX $31,159Cheaper by Elantra by $1,389

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Elantra Essential ✓ $11,383K4 Hatchback LX $12,722Cheaper by Elantra by $1,339

Insurance (estimate)

Elantra Essential $21,116K4 Hatchback LX ✓ $17,091Cheaper by K4 Hatchback by $4,025

Maintenance (estimate)

Elantra Essential $8,043K4 Hatchback LX ✓ $6,544Cheaper by K4 Hatchback by $1,499

Loan rate

Elantra Essential 6.5%K4 Hatchback LX 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Elantra Essential ✓ $5,209K4 Hatchback LX $5,502Cheaper by Elantra by $293

Lost return on your money

Elantra Essential ✓ $6,479K4 Hatchback LX $6,747Cheaper by Elantra by $268

Resale after 6 yrs

Elantra Essential ✓ −$12,925K4 Hatchback LX −$12,150Cheaper by Elantra by $775

Total

True cost

Elantra Essential $69,166K4 Hatchback LX ✓ $67,708Cheaper by K4 Hatchback by $1,458

True cost a month

Elantra Essential $961/moK4 Hatchback LX ✓ $940/moCheaper by K4 Hatchback by $21

You pay each month

Elantra Essential $981/moK4 Hatchback LX ✓ $946/moCheaper by K4 Hatchback by $35

Practical

Fuel type

Elantra Essential GasK4 Hatchback LX GasCheaper by —

Seats

Elantra Essential 5K4 Hatchback LX 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Elantra Essential 3K4 Hatchback LX 5Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Elantra Essential 402K4 Hatchback LX ✓ 629Cheaper by —

Length

Elantra Essential 4.71 mK4 Hatchback LX 4.43 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Elantra Essential 14 cmK4 Hatchback LX 14 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

Elantra Essential ✓ 55%K4 Hatchback LX 49%Cheaper by —

US crash test

Elantra Essential ✓ 5★K4 Hatchback LX Not rated yetCheaper by —

European crash test

Elantra Essential —K4 Hatchback LX ✓ 4★ (2025); 5★ with packCheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Elantra from its own, the K4 Hatchback typical for its type and brand. Their stickers differ by $1,296.