2019 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra received a significant facelift, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, redesigned wheels, and a revamped trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. While the previous model had a more conservative and upscale look, the 2019 version adopted a more geometric and kaleidoscopic design, which may not have been as universally appealing. Inside, the Elantra saw subtle improvements, such as new air vents, a carbon-texture finish on some plastic housings, updated gauges, and revised dashboard controls. These changes added a touch of excitement to the previously dull cabin, and the overall interior quality was high, despite some inexpensive materials.

In contrast, the 2020 Toyota Corolla's redesign gave it a more aggressive and modern look, especially in the SE and XSE trims with the attractive Celestite paint color. The interior saw a significant upgrade in perceived quality, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the cheap, hard plastics of the previous model. However, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of the Corolla's economy car roots, lacking the solid feel found in competitors like Hyundai or Kia. The Corolla's interior was more comfortable and refined, but the lack of rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports was a drawback for rear passengers.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. While acceleration was acceptable, the driving dynamics were not particularly inspiring. The Elantra offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, but Smart mode was not very perceptive, and Sport mode added unwelcome weight to the steering. The Elantra's handling was decent, with no major criticisms for the steering and brakes, but the ride quality could be busy due to the torsion-beam rear-axle suspension. The EPA rated the Elantra at 32 mpg in combined driving, and real-world testing showed similar results.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options: a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, and a more powerful 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower for the SE and XSE trims. The latter also featured a more sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters and a physical launch gear for improved acceleration. The Corolla XSE's driving dynamics were well-tuned, providing a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the lack of a turbocharger limited the Corolla's acceleration capabilities, making it struggle in certain driving situations. The EPA rated the Corolla XSE at 34 mpg in combined driving, and real-world testing showed similar results.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort, with height-adjustable seats for both the driver and front passenger. Most trims included heated front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, backseat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and no rear air-conditioning vents or USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a good-size center-console storage bin, a sizable glove box, and a wireless charging pad in the Limited trim. The Elantra's trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, which was generous for a compact car.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla's interior was roomy enough for a family of four, but rear passengers suffered from the lack of rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports. The front seats were comfortable, with the XSE trim offering an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front seats. However, the lack of a front seat height adjuster was a drawback for some drivers. The back seat was comfortable, but taller passengers might have issues with headroom. Interior storage was limited, with small cupholders and few storage bins. The Corolla's trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of space, which was slightly less than the Elantra's.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, except for the base SE trim, came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Limited trim included an Infinity premium sound system, and the Ultimate Package added an 8-inch display, navigation, and SiriusXM Data Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a good balance of knobs and buttons. The Elantra also offered a free 3-year trial subscription to Blue Link services, providing a range of safety and convenience functions.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, familiar volume and tuning knobs, and main menu access buttons. The Corolla's infotainment system included Amazon Alexa compatibility, Siri Eyes Free, and various trial subscriptions for navigation and connectivity services. Higher trims offered advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, and a JBL premium sound system. However, the standard setup with Apple CarPlay was sufficient for most users.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra included important driver-assistance and collision-avoidance systems starting with the SEL trim, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited trim added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH child-seat anchors, and a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system operated with impressive refinement and accuracy, though the lane-departure warning alert was irritating. The Corolla also offered a blind-spot monitoring system, standard on higher trims and optional on lower trims. The NHTSA gave the Corolla a 5-star rating for frontal-impact protection, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick for 2019.