2010 Hyundai Elantra — Full Specifications
As an Amazon Associate and CJ Affiliate and AWIN publisher we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Running gear matters most — before anything else, UK: check tyre prices at TirendoUS: check wheel & tyre prices at WheelHero for this car's fitment.
The 2010 Hyundai Elantra is a saloon/sedan powered by a 2L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine. It returns around 31 mpg (UK) / 26 mpg (US EPA) combined. Owners often keep a Hyundai Elantra workshop manual to hand for servicing and repairs.
Full Specifications
| Engine | 2L 4-cyl |
|---|---|
| Transmission | Manual 5-spd |
| Fuel Type | Regular Gasoline |
| Powertrain | Conventional |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Body Style | Saloon/Sedan |
| Passenger Volume (EPA) | 98 cu ft (2,775 L) |
| Luggage Volume (EPA) | 14 cu ft (396 L) |
| Fuel Economy (UK) | 31 combined / 28 urban / 37 extra-urban mpg |
| Fuel Economy (US EPA) | 26 combined / 23 city / 31 highway mpg |
| CO₂ Emissions | 190 g/km |
| EPA Est. Annual Fuel Cost | $2,300 (15,000 mi/yr, US prices) |
Engine & Transmission Options
EPA lists 2 configurations for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra, all with the 2L 4-cyl engine. The headline figures at the top of this page describe the most fuel-efficient configuration.
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG (UK) | MPG (US) | CO₂ g/km | Fuel cost / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (23/30) | 212 | $2,600 |
| 2L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 31 | 26 (23/31) | 190 | $2,300 |
MPG (US) shows combined, with city/highway in brackets. Highlighted row = the configuration used for the headline figures. Source: US EPA fueleconomy.gov.
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 98 cubic feet (about 2,775 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures; they are measured differently from the boot capacity numbers UK manufacturers quote.
Owner Essentials for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra
Running Costs: 2010 Hyundai Elantra
Covering around 8,000 miles a year in a 2010 Hyundai Elantra at 31 mpg combined, expect roughly 1,173 litres of fuel annually — multiply by your local price per litre for a cost estimate. For US owners, the EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration (15,000 miles, national average prices). Work out exact fuel costs with the fuel cost calculator on 247Calculators.
Convert between MPG and L/100km with the unit converters on 247QuickTools. Not sure what tyre size fits? 247TyreCheck explains tyre sizing.
Only need this car occasionally? See our buy vs rent comparison.
2010 Hyundai Elantra Safety Ratings (NHTSA)
No NHTSA crash-test rating is on record for this model year. The NHTSA rates only a subset of vehicles each year; you can browse every rated vehicle on our NHTSA Safety Ratings hub.
Recalls & Owner Complaints (NHTSA)
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Hyundai Elantra (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Steering (1), Structure (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
- Service brakes — campaign 20V061000, reported 4 February 2020. Risk: An electrical short within the ABS Module may cause an engine compartment fire, even when the car is turned off, increasing the risk of an injury.
- Steering — campaign 15V100000, reported 23 February 2015. Risk: If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Structure — campaign 14V310000, reported 10 June 2014. Risk: If the headliner support bracket makes contact with an occupant during a crash, it may cause a laceration injury.
- Exterior lighting — campaign 13V113000, reported 1 April 2013. Risk: Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission…
Owners have filed 454 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The most-reported areas are Steering (233), Electrical system (58), Air bags (52). Complaints include 49 reported crashes, 13 reported fires, 53 reported injuries, 1 reported death. That is well above the median of 263 complaints across the 17 Hyundai Elantra model years in our data.
Used-buyer checklist for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra
Based on where NHTSA recalls and owner complaints cluster for this model year, these are the areas worth checking before you buy:
- Steering (1 recall campaign · 233 owner complaints) — Check for play, noise or heavy steering, and ask whether any steering recall work was done.
- Electrical system (58 owner complaints) — Test every switch, window, light and warning lamp on a test drive, and ask about battery or alternator replacements.
- Air bags (52 owner complaints) — Confirm any air bag inflator or module recalls were completed — enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Transmission & drivetrain (34 owner complaints) — On the test drive, watch for hesitation, jerking or slipping between gears and ask for transmission service history.
Source: US NHTSA recall and consumer-complaint databases, retrieved 6 October 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects. Check any vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, and see our guide to checking a used car for recalls.
How It Compares
Hyundai models in our database average about 34 mpg (UK) combined on their most efficient configuration; the 2010 Hyundai Elantra's 31 mpg is 3 mpg below that make average. Its 190 g/km CO₂ figure is 17 g/km lower than the 207 g/km Hyundai average.
Of the 17 Hyundai Elantra model years we cover, the 2010 ranks 17th for combined fuel economy on its best configuration (31 mpg UK combined, against a high of 43 mpg). See every Hyundai Elantra year side by side.
Last updated: · Data: US EPA (fueleconomy.gov) and NHTSA safety ratings 18 July 2026; NHTSA recalls and complaints 6 October 2026; Wikidata & curated EU catalogue 18 July 2026; European generation and engine data from Wikipedia 7 October 2026
Vehicle data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle handbook or a qualified mechanic. This is a reference tool, not professional advice.
Recommended Accessories for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra
Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have?
It's fitted with a 2L 4-cyl regular gasoline engine, paired with a manual 5-spd transmission.
What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?
The most efficient configuration returns around 31 mpg (UK) combined, or 26 mpg on the US EPA cycle.
How much does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra cost to fuel per year?
The US EPA estimates about $2,300 a year in fuel for the most efficient configuration, based on 15,000 miles of mixed driving and national average fuel prices. Your own cost will depend on mileage and local prices.
Does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns that include the 2010 Hyundai Elantra (as of 6 October 2026). Most affected areas: Service brakes (1), Steering (1), Structure (1). A campaign often covers several model years or models, so check your own VIN to see whether your car is affected.
What are the most common problems reported for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra?
Among the 454 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are Steering (233 complaints), Electrical system (58 complaints), Air bags (52 complaints). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects, and raw counts rise with how many cars were sold.
How much interior and luggage space does the 2010 Hyundai Elantra have?
EPA measures interior passenger volume at 98 cubic feet (about 2,775 litres) and luggage volume at 14 cubic feet (about 396 litres). These are US EPA interior-volume figures, which are measured differently from the UK boot-capacity numbers manufacturers quote.