Compare the2022 Toyota Corolla HatchbackVS 2021 Hyundai Tucson

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Toyota Corolla Hatchback has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Corolla Hatchback has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tucson doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tucson doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems and rear cross-path warning.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Compression	50 lbs.	97 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	37%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	94
Hip Force	330 lbs.	356 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	241
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	55 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	482 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	239	312
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	48 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	1028 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Corolla Hatchback is 5% to 5.7% less likely to roll over than the Tucson.

Warranty

There are over 49 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Hatchback’s warranty.

Reliability

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

Engine

The Corolla Hatchback’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 7 more horsepower (168 vs. 161) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 150) than the Tucson’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is faster than the Hyundai Tucson (automatics tested):

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson 2.0	Tucson 2.4
Zero to 30 MPH	3.4 sec	4 sec	3.4 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8.7 sec	11 sec	9.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5.4 sec	6.9 sec	4.9 sec
Quarter Mile	16.8 sec	18.3 sec	17.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	80.2 MPH	83 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Hatchback gets better mileage than the Tucson:

			MPG
Corolla Hatchback
FWD	Manual	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	28 city/36 hwy
	Auto	SE/Nightshade 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	32 city/41 hwy
		XSE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	30 city/38 hwy
Tucson
	Auto	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	23 city/28 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/28 hwy
AWD	Auto	2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	22 city/25 hwy
		2.4 DOHC 4-cyl.	21 city/26 hwy

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Corolla Hatchback higher (7 out of 10) than the Hyundai Tucson (5 to 7). This means the Corolla Hatchback produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Tucson every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Corolla Hatchback offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The Tucson doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

The Corolla Hatchback offers an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Corolla Hatchback stops shorter than the Tucson:

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	133 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Corolla Hatchback SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson SE/Value’s standard 60 series tires. The Corolla Hatchback’s optional tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Tucson Sport’s 45 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Corolla Hatchback XSE handles at .85 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

Chassis

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 650 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson.

The Corolla Hatchback is 4.4 inches shorter than the Tucson, making the Corolla Hatchback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Corolla Hatchback is 7.7 inches shorter in height than the Tucson, making the Corolla Hatchback much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Ergonomics

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

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Hatchback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Tucson can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Corolla Hatchback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson Value/SEL/Sport/Limited/Ultimate.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Hatchback XSE has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Hyundai Tucson isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Corolla Hatchback owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Corolla Hatchback with a number “8” insurance rate while the Tucson is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corolla Hatchback is less expensive to operate than the Tucson because it costs $464 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Corolla Hatchback than the Tucson, including $75 less for a water pump, $204 less for a muffler, $6 less for front brake pads and $113 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Corolla Hatchback as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Hyundai Tucson by almost two to one during the 2021 model year.