Hyundai Elantra vs Kia K4: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Kia K4 costs about $2,936 less

That's $41 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

Elantra Essential$961/moTrue cost

K4 LX✓ $920/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

Closest matching trim: K4 LX

Sticker (MSRP)$24,295

+$6,299→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$30,594

+ running costs→↓− $11,905 resale

True cost$920/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $23,499	$24,295	Elantra by $796
Freight and fees, before tax	$2,846	✓ $2,780	K4 by $66
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $3,425	$3,520	Elantra by $95
Drive-away price	✓ $29,770	$30,594	Elantra by $824
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	✓ $11,383	$11,885	Elantra by $502
Insurance (estimate)	$21,116	✓ $17,025	K4 by $4,091
Maintenance (estimate)	$8,043	✓ $6,518	K4 by $1,525
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $5,209	$5,383	Elantra by $174
Lost return on your money	✓ $6,479	$6,638	Elantra by $159
Resale after 6 yrs	✓ −$12,925	−$11,905	Elantra by $1,020
Total
True cost	$69,166	✓ $66,230	K4 by $2,936
True cost a month	$961/mo	✓ $920/mo	K4 by $41
You pay each month	$981/mo	✓ $924/mo	K4 by $57
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	3	3	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	402	✓ 413	—
Length	4.71 m	4.71 m	—
Ground clearance	14 cm	14 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	✓ 55%	49%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

Elantra Essential ✓ $23,499K4 LX $24,295Cheaper by Elantra by $796

Freight and fees, before tax

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

Sales tax (HST)

Elantra Essential ✓ $3,425K4 LX $3,520Cheaper by Elantra by $95

Drive-away price

Elantra Essential ✓ $29,770K4 LX $30,594Cheaper by Elantra by $824

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

Elantra Essential ✓ $11,383K4 LX $11,885Cheaper by Elantra by $502

Insurance (estimate)

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

Maintenance (estimate)

Elantra Essential $8,043K4 LX ✓ $6,518Cheaper by K4 by $1,525

Loan rate

Elantra Essential 6.5%K4 LX 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

Elantra Essential ✓ $5,209K4 LX $5,383Cheaper by Elantra by $174

Lost return on your money

Elantra Essential ✓ $6,479K4 LX $6,638Cheaper by Elantra by $159

Resale after 6 yrs

Elantra Essential ✓ −$12,925K4 LX −$11,905Cheaper by Elantra by $1,020

Total

True cost

Elantra Essential $69,166K4 LX ✓ $66,230Cheaper by K4 by $2,936

True cost a month

Elantra Essential $961/moK4 LX ✓ $920/moCheaper by K4 by $41

You pay each month

Elantra Essential $981/moK4 LX ✓ $924/moCheaper by K4 by $57

Practical

Fuel type

Elantra Essential GasK4 LX GasCheaper by —

Seats

Elantra Essential 5K4 LX 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

Elantra Essential 3K4 LX 3Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

Elantra Essential 402K4 LX ✓ 413Cheaper by —

Length

Elantra Essential 4.71 mK4 LX 4.71 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

Elantra Essential 14 cmK4 LX 14 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

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

US crash test

Elantra Essential 5★K4 LX 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the Elantra from its own, the K4 typical for its type and brand. Their stickers differ by $796.