Compare the2019 Chevrolet SonicVS 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT

Both the Sonic and the Elantra GT have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, height-adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available collision warning systems, lane departure warning systems and rear parking sensors.

Chevrolet pays for the first scheduled maintenance on the Sonic. Chevrolet will pay for the first oil change, lubrication and any other required maintenance in the first year. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Elantra GT.

There are almost 4 times as many Chevrolet dealers as there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Sonic’s warranty.

The Chevrolet Sonic’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the Elantra GT’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonic gets better fuel mileage than the Elantra GT:

To help the driver achieve optimum performance and fuel economy, the Sonic has a standard up-shift light to indicate when to shift based on power needs and conditions. The Elantra GT doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

The Sonic has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Elantra GT’s suspension doesn’t offer front gas-charged shocks.

The Sonic Hatchback is 11.1 inches shorter than the Elantra GT, making the Sonic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Sonic easier. The Sonic’s trunk lift-over height is 27.25 inches, while the Elantra GT’s liftover is 28.8 inches.

An Oil Life Monitor is standard on the Sonic to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes based on actual driving conditions. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Hyundai doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Elantra GT.

The Sonic (except LS/Manual) offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The Elantra GT doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The power windows standard on both the Sonic and the Elantra GT have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Sonic is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Elantra GT prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Sonic LT/Premier’s front and rear power windows all open fully with one touch of the switches and its front windows also automatically close, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Elantra GT’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically.

The Sonic has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Elantra GT only offers an automatic headlight on/off feature as an extra cost option.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sonic’s optional (except LS/RS) heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Elantra GT doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

Insurance will cost less for the Sonic owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Sonic will cost $20 to $1400 less than the Elantra GT over a five-year period.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Chevrolet Sonic will be $1947 to $2886 less than for the Hyundai Elantra GT.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Chevrolet Sonic and the Hyundai Elantra GT, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Sonic second among small cars in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Elantra GT isn’t in the top three.