Compare the2024 Toyota CorollaVS 2024 Hyundai Elantra

The Toyota Corolla 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 doesn’t offer knee airbags.

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 Elantra 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 Elantra 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 Elantra have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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, 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 Elantra:

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 Elantra:

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 16 points higher than the Elantra.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 11th.

The Corolla’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 22 more horsepower (169 vs. 147) and 19 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 132) than the Elantra’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Corolla is faster than the Hyundai Elantra:

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla LE gets better fuel mileage than the Elantra (32 city/41 hwy vs. 31 city/40 hwy).

The Corolla’s standard front disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The front discs on the Elantra are solid, not vented.

The Corolla stops much shorter than the Elantra:

For better traction, the Corolla has larger standard tires than the Elantra (205/55R16 vs. 195/65R15).

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 Elantra SE’s standard 65 series tires. The Corolla SE/Nightshade/XSE’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Elantra’s optional 45 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla LE has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 15-inch wheels are standard on the Elantra SE. The Corolla SE/Nightshade/XSE’s 18-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels optional on the Elantra.

For superior ride and handling, the Corolla SE/Nightshade/XSE has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Hyundai Elantra has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

The Corolla handles at .89 G’s, while the Elantra Limited pulls only .88 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

As tested by Car and Driver while under full throttle, the interior of the Corolla is quieter than the Elantra Limited (77 vs. 79 dB).

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

A low lift-over trunk design makes loading and unloading the Corolla easier. The Corolla’s trunk lift-over height is 27.1 inches, while the Elantra’s liftover is 28.4 inches.

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

The Corolla’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Elantra has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

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 Elantra’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 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 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Corolla has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable and it can provide a boundary between children. The Elantra SE doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

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

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

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Hyundai Elantra by 73% during 2023.