Compare the2024 Toyota Corolla HybridVS 2023 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

© 1999 - 2024Advanta-STAR Automotive Research, all rights reserved. This vehicle comparison and all of the content in it are provided only by license from Advanta-STAR Automotive Research Corporation of America (“Advanta-STAR”). If you are not a legally licensed user of this vehicle comparison, it is against federal law to access it, copy it, forward it, or use it in any manner whatsoever. Any unauthorized use of this vehicle comparison is a violation of U.S. and international law and is punishable criminally and civilly. Removal of this watermark/notification without prior written license and approval received from Advanta-STAR is an agreement, understanding, and/or stipulation by the person(s), entities, agents, attorneys, and any other persons involved in the removal of this watermark/notification (including but not limited to Search Optics, LLC and any and all parent entities, sister entities, and subsidiary entities of Search Optics, LLC and/or any other entity, agent, attorney, and persons related in any manner to Search Optics, LLC) to: 1) an agreed upon amount of liquidated monetary damages of a minimum of $1,250,000.00 US Dollars in favor of Advanta-STAR; 2) the jurisdiction and enforcement of any legal claims associated with this matter asserted by Advanta-STAR in the United States Federal District Court in Portand, Oregon; and 3) service of process of any legal claims asserted by Advanta-STAR associated with this matter may be accomplished by First-Class Postage by the United States Postal Service or comparable service. XPYNN-M34HG 2a06:98c0:3600::103 2024/11/21

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid 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 Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Corolla Hybrid 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 Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Corolla Hybrid 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 Elantra Hybrid 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.

The Corolla Hybrid offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Corolla Hybrid and the Elantra Hybrid 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, 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 Hybrid is safer than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

	Corolla Hybrid	Elantra Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Stress	243 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	50 lbs.	51 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Chest Compression	.6 inches	.6 inches
Neck Injury Risk	27%	42%
Neck Stress	165 lbs.	177 lbs.

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 Hybrid is safer than the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid:

	Corolla Hybrid	Elantra Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.2 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	239 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	345
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	68 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	40 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	954 lbs.

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

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corolla Hybrid the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 64 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Elantra Hybrid last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2022.

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 Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

The Elantra Hybrid’s redline is at 6750 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Corolla Hybrid has a 4000 RPM redline.

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 Hybrid’s reliability 43 points higher than the Elantra Hybrid.

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.

Transmission

The Corolla Hybrid 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 Elantra Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

The Corolla Hybrid SE/Nightshade’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Elantra Hybrid Limited Sedan’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla Hybrid SE/Nightshade has standard 18-inch wheels. The Elantra Hybrid’s largest wheels are only 17-inches.

Passenger Space

The Corolla Hybrid has .5 inches more front hip room and .8 inches more rear hip room than the Elantra Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Corolla Hybrid easier. The Corolla Hybrid’s trunk lift-over height is 25.5 inches, while the Elantra Hybrid’s liftover is 28.4 inches.

The Corolla Hybrid’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Elantra Hybrid’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

Ergonomics

The Corolla Hybrid’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 Elantra Hybrid’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

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

The Corolla Hybrid’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Elantra Hybrid’s standard projector halogen headlights and light instantly. LED lights also last over twenty times longer than halogen.

Recommendations

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

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Hyundai Elantra by over two to one during 2022.