Compare the2023 Hyundai Elantra NVS 2023 Toyota GR Corolla

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Elantra N Auto has standard Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

Both the Elantra N and GR Corolla have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Elantra N has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The GR Corolla’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Elantra N and the GR Corolla have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Elantra N its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 126 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The GR Corolla has not been tested, yet.

The Elantra N comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The GR Corolla’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra N 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the GR Corolla. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the GR Corolla ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra N’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the GR Corolla’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra N for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the GR Corolla (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 10 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fifth.

The Elantra N’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 16 lbs.-ft. more torque (289 vs. 273) than the GR Corolla’s standard 1.6 turbo 3-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Elantra N gets better mileage than the GR Corolla:

The Elantra N offers an optional automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an automatic transmission.

The Elantra N offers an optional sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer an SMG.

The Elantra N’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the Elantra N’s brake rotors are larger than those on the GR Corolla:

The Elantra N stops much shorter than the GR Corolla:

For better traction, the Elantra N has larger tires than the GR Corolla (245/35R19 vs. 235/40R18).

The Elantra N’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GR Corolla’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra N has standard 19-inch wheels. Only 18-inch wheels are available on the GR Corolla.

The Elantra N has a standard driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The GR Corolla’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Elantra N’s wheelbase is 3.2 inches longer than on the GR Corolla (107.1 inches vs. 103.9 inches).

The Elantra N handles at .99 G’s, while the GR Corolla Circuit Edition pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

To minimize engine movement during hard acceleration and transmission shifts, the Elantra N has solid engine mounts. The GR Corolla uses conventional rubber.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Elantra N is quieter than the GR Corolla Circuit Edition:

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Elantra N a Mid-size car, while the GR Corolla is rated a Compact.

The Elantra N has 14.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GR Corolla (99.4 vs. 84.6).

The Elantra N has 2.2 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.6 inches more front shoulder room, 8.1 inches more rear legroom, 5 inches more rear hip room and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the GR Corolla.

The Elantra N’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The GR Corolla Morizo Edition doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra N’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its liftgate, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Elantra N Auto has a standard 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 climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Elantra N has a standard center folding armrest for the driver and front passenger. A center armrest helps combat driver fatigue. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer a front seat center armrest.

The Elantra N’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The GR Corolla doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Elantra N has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the GR Corolla.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The GR Corolla has never been chosen.