Compare the2024 Toyota CorollaVS 2023 Hyundai Sonata

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

The Corolla 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 Sonata 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 and the Sonata have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, 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 is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

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 is safer than the Hyundai Sonata:

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

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’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla’s reliability 17 points higher than the Sonata.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 13th.

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla gets better mileage than the Sonata:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies the Toyota Corolla as a “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Hyundai Sonata is only certified to “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) standards.

The Corolla has a standard 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 Sonata doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Corolla stops much shorter than the Sonata:

The Corolla LE’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 Sonata SE’s standard 65 series tires.

The Corolla handles at .89 G’s, while the Sonata SEL Plus pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Corolla is 10.4 inches shorter than the Sonata, making the Corolla easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Corolla is quieter than the Sonata Limited (77 vs. 78 dB).

The Corolla’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 Sonata’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sonata SEL/SEL Plus/Limited/N Line’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla 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 Sonata can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

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

Insurance will cost less for the Corolla owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Corolla with a number “3” insurance rate while the Sonata is rated higher at a number “5” rate.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corolla is less expensive to operate than the Sonata because it costs $346 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Corolla than the Sonata, including $30 less for a water pump, $246 less for a muffler, $5 less for front brake pads and $173 less for a power steering pump.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Corolla and the Hyundai Sonata, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Hyundai Sonata by over five to one during 2022.