Compare the2025 Toyota Corolla HybridVS 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Tires and Wheels
Chassis
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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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 Sonata 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 Sonata 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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

Both the Corolla Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid 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, 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 Sonata Hybrid:

	Corolla Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	187	514
Leg Forces (l/r)	330/310 lbs.	321/341 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	33%
Neck Compression	86 lbs.	189 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 Sonata Hybrid:

	Corolla Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	163
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	305 lbs.
Hip Force	330 lbs.	498 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	137	301
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	72 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	539 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	20 inches
HIC	239	288
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	38 G’s

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

Warranty

There are over 47 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

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 51 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 13th.

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.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Hybrid LE/XLE FWD gets better fuel mileage than the Sonata Hybrid (53 city/46 hwy vs. 44 city/51 hwy).

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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corolla Hybrid SE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sonata Hybrid (225/40R18 vs. 215/55R17).

The Corolla Hybrid SE’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata Hybrid’s 55 series tires.

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

Chassis

The Toyota Corolla Hybrid may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 600 pounds less than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

The Corolla Hybrid is 10.8 inches shorter than the Sonata Hybrid, making the Corolla Hybrid easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Ergonomics

The Corolla Hybrid offers a 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 Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

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 Sonata Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

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 Sonata Hybrid can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Corolla Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Corolla Hybrid will cost $735 less than the Sonata Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Corolla Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Corolla Hybrid will retain 56.82% to 58.48% of its original price after five years, while the Sonata Hybrid only retains 49.24% to 50.94%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Toyota Corolla Hybrid will be $4683 to $9091 less than for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Recommendations

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

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Hyundai Sonata by over five to one during 2023.