Hyundai Elantra Vs. Toyota Corolla: Which Is Better?
Hyundai Elantra Vs. Toyota Corolla—which economy compact car wins this battle?
Written by Rob Shapiro
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
- Pricing
- Performance
- Fuel efficiency
- Technology
- Reliability
- Interior
- The final word
- How to find cheap car insurance for a Hyundai Elantra
- FAQs
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The 2022 Hyundai Elantra outperforms the 2022 Toyota Corolla in the vital areas of value, comfort, and performance. The Corolla, however, does have a lower starting price.
You might think choosing between compacts as similar as the Hyundai Elantra and a Toyota Corolla would be a coin flip—and on the surface, that’s not far from the truth. They’re both economy cars manufactured overseas and are considered to be dependable, practical, and offer similar value.
Upon close inspection, however, their differences become noticeable.
Jerry
, the trustworthy super app created
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shopping as easy as sending a text, has performed a comparison of the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla. This way, you can decide which car might make the most sense for your budget and your life. We can also help you save on your
Hyundai Elantra insurance
or Toyota Corolla insurance costs
, depending on which one you pick!Pricing
As mentioned, the Elantra and Corrola are both economy cars. This means they are affordably priced and should be suitable for most drivers.
The starting prices for both cars are similar. Have a look at the table below for pricing information for 2022 Elantra and Corolla sedans.
Model | MSRP | Model | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla L | $21,450 | 2022 Hyundai Elantra SE | $21,295 |
2022 Toyota Corolla LE | $21,900 | 2022 Hyundai Elantra SEL | $22,545 |
2022 Toyota Corolla SE | $23,900 | 2022 Hyundai Elantra Blue | $25,195 |
2022 Toyota Corolla XLE | $25,850 | 2022 Hyundai Elantra Limited | $27,045 |
2022 Toyota Corolla XSE | $27,350 | 2022 Hyundai Elantra N | $33,245 |
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While the difference is only a few thousand dollars per trim upgrade, the Elantra is the pricier option. If the starting price is the most important thing for you when you’re car shopping, then the Corolla has a slight edge.
Starting price isn’t everything, though. There are also the projected five-year ownership costs, which drivers often forget to include in their budgets. Let’s look at the Toyota Corolla LE and the Hyundai Elantra SE.
According to Edmunds, the overall cost to own a Corolla LE is around $28,107 over five years. This figure includes $3,315 for maintenance and the annual
Toyota Corolla LE insurance cost
of $2,344. The five-year ownership cost of a Hyundai Elantra SE is roughly $24,436. So, there you have it. Some Corollas cost less upfront, but certain Hyundais are cheaper to own in the long run.
Performance
The Corolla is a fine compact, but the Elantra trumps it in one very important area: performance. This is thanks to a better engine, stronger acceleration, and more impressive handling.
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra has a standard non-hybrid powertrain. This is a 147 horsepower, four-cylinder engine with front-wheel drive and a CVT that produces 132 lb.-ft. of torque. Some more good news is that this engine offers power, but not at the expense of efficiency.
The 2022 Toyota Corolla is equipped with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine. It produces 139 horsepower and 126 lb.-ft. of torque. It also features Valvematic technology, making it more responsive.
What exactly does this all mean? The ‘22 Elantra is faster and provides quicker acceleration. It’s the right choice if you want something sportier and with better handling. The Corolla isn’t a poor performer, but it doesn’t offer as much punch and pleasure from behind the wheel as the Elantra.
Fuel efficiency
The ‘22 Elantra also edges the ‘22 Corolla for fuel efficiency. However, it’s a different story when you include the Toyota Hybrid LE, as it delivers a whopping 52 mpg combined.
Let’s compare the fuel economy of some popular Corolla trim levels with a couple of Elantra trims.
Model | Engine | Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) |
|---|---|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla | 1.8L four-cylinder (base) | 30/38/33 mpg |
2022 Toyota Corolla | 2.0L four-cylinder | 31/40/34 mpg |
2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid | 1.8L four-cylinder | 53/52/52/ mpg |
2022 Hyundai Elantra SE | 2.0L four-cylinder (base) | 33/43/37 mpg |
2022 Hyundai Elantra SEL | 1.5L four-cylinder turbo | 33/43/37 mpg |
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This is a close race, so it won’t be the major deciding factor when choosing between the two.
Technology
From a 10.25-inch touchscreen to the Bose premium audio system, the Elantra offers more impressive technology than the Corolla.
The 2022 Corolla features some solid tech, such as remote connect, SiriusXM® Platinum Plan with 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay compatibility, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and adaptive front-lighting system. Its most notable feature is Toyota’s Safety Sense™ driver assistance technology, which offers an entire suite of safety features.
On the other hand, the 2022 Elantra has navigation, dynamic voice recognition, SiriusXM®, Bose® premium audio system, HD Radio™, Bluetooth®, wireless device charging, USB ports, and BluLink® Connected Services. While it obviously doesn’t offer Toyota’s Safety Sense™, it has a similar feature—Honda Sensing® suite.
The Elantra has the better overall technology package, while Toyota’s Safety Sense™ driver assistance technology rates better than the Honda Sensing® suite.
Reliability
These are both reliable cars, but the 2022 Corolla gets slightly better reliability ratings from experts like J.D. Power and RepairPal.
The ‘22 Corolla received an 85/100 predicted reliability score from J.D. Power, whereas the 2022 Elantra got an 80/100. Both compact cars got an excellent 4.5/5.0 rating from RepairPal.
It’s also important to note that RepairPal ranks the Corolla as the top pick out of 36 compact cars.
Interior
The Corolla has a serviceable interior that, by most accounts, is well-equipped to give drivers just what that need. And if that’s all you want, then it’s a great option. That said, the Elantra offers an interior that’s more stylish, comfortable, and luxurious.
The best part of the Corolla’s interior is that the buttons are accessible. The Elantra, though, looks more modern—the dashboard wraps around the driver and the seats are made of soft leather—and it has several high-end features (especially on the more expensive trims).
The Elantra and Corolla offer similar cargo space and leg- and headroom. This table breaks down the cargo volume, legroom, and headroom measurements for the 2022 Elantra and Corolla in both available body styles.
Measurement | Toyota Corolla Sedan | Toyota Corolla Hatchback | Hyundai Elantra Sedan | Hyundai Elantra Hatchback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Cargo volume | 13.1 cubic feet | 17.8 cubic feet | 14.2 cubic feet | 14.2 cubic feet |
Headroom (front seats) | 38.3 inches | 38.4 inches | 40.6 inches | 40.6 inches |
Legroom (front seats) | 42 inches | 42 inches | 42.2 inches | 42.2 inches |
Headroom (rear seats) 37.1 inches | 37.6 inches | 37.3 inches | 38 inches | |
Legroom (rear seats) | 34.8 inches | 29.9 inches | 38 inches | 8 inches |
Compared to other compact cars, both of these models offer a nice amount of space for storage and passengers. This makes them practical and comfy and whether you have a sedan or hatchback, they are more than capable of hauling hockey bags or all your camping gear for a weekend in the woods.
The final word
The 2022 Toyota Corolla is a bit cheaper than the 2022 Hyundai Elantra. That said, the Elantra beats the Corolla in most of the important categories. It’s more fuel-efficient and powerful, offers quicker acceleration, and is a more comfortable ride. It bears repeating that the Corolla ranks as slightly more reliable.
If you’re working with a strict budget, then your best choice may be the Corolla’s base L trim. At only $21,450, it offers excellent value. If you can stretch your budget even a bit, go with the Elantra and enjoy greater performance, a more spacious interior, and better driving technology.
The 2022 Hyundai Elantra SEL offers great value at only $22,545.
How to find cheap car insurance for a Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Elantra car insurance costs less than insuring some of Hyundai’s higher-end vehicles, like their SUVs, but you could end up overpaying if you go with the first policy you find.
To ensure you are getting the best rate for your Hyundai insurance, use the
Jerry
app. As a licensed insurance broker that works with many of the nation’s top providers, Jerry searches for the cheapest rates for your Elantra based on your driving needs. The average Jerry users save over $800 a year on car insurance—and the experience and ease of shopping is second to none! “I was paying $350 a month for my new car. WithJerry, I set up a new policy in under 30 minutes that will save me over $1,000 a year!” —Mariah K.
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FAQs
Is a Hyundai Elantra bigger than a Toyota Corolla?
The Hyundai Elantra and the Toyota Corolla both have a wheelbase of 106.3 inches. The 2022 Hyundai Elantra is more spacious than the corolla.
Which is better on gas, Corolla or Elantra?
The Elantra, on average, is more fuel efficient. Most non-hybrid models get better gas mileage.
Is the Hyundai Elantra more expensive than the Toyota Corolla?
The base model of the Elantra is only slightly more than the base Corolla. The Corolla is cheaper, though, as you upgrade the trims. The 2022 Toyota Corolla XLE costs $25,850 vs. the $27,045 for the 2022 Hyundai Elantra Limited.
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