2020 Toyota Camry vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a renewed focus on quality and appeal, aiming to reclaim its reputation for reliability and value. The styling was more expressive than ever, with a bold front fascia and taut lines that gave it a sporty look. The interior featured uniformly nice materials and a driver-focused dashboard, making even the base trims feel upscale. The TRD model added red trim accents, including bright red seatbelts, enhancing its sporty appeal. Despite not being a luxury car, the Camry's top trims offered leather and wood finishes that rivaled entry-level Lexus models.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold, geometric styling from the previous year's restyle. Available in six trims, the Elantra offered a range of features and prices, from the base SE to the sporty Sport model. The Limited trim, tested here, featured a black paint job that highlighted its angular design elements. Inside, the Elantra aimed for an upscale look with silver trim and leather upholstery, though some hard plastics reminded occupants of its mainstream status. The Elantra's interior updates made it a stylish and comfortable compact car.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered four distinct powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with FWD or AWD, a 3.5-liter V6 with FWD, and a hybrid option. The 3.5-liter V6 produced 301 horsepower and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, making it a smooth and powerful choice for those seeking luxury. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder, with 203 horsepower (206 in XSE trim), provided a lighter and more agile driving experience. The AWD system, similar to that in the RAV4, could send up to half of the engine's 184 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, enhancing traction in slippery conditions. Fuel economy varied, with the FWD four-cylinder achieving 31 mpg combined, the AWD version 28 mpg, and the V6 models around 25-26 mpg.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower, paired with a new CVT. The Eco model had a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with 128 horsepower and a seven-speed DCT, achieving 36 mpg combined. The Sport trim offered a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, along with an independent rear suspension for improved handling. The new CVT, called the "Intelligent Variable Transmission," aimed to improve efficiency and responsiveness, though real-world testing showed mixed results. The Elantra's ride quality varied, with the Sport trim providing a more enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was easy to drive and featured a well-organized interior. Front legroom and hip room increased from the previous generation, but rear legroom and overall passenger volume decreased slightly. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, smaller than some competitors. The addition of AWD did not compromise interior space, thanks to modifications in the floor structure and fuel tank.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra provided roomy accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person fitting for short trips. The Limited trim included power driver's seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. All Elantras came with dual-zone automatic climate control, though rear air vents were absent. Interior storage was adequate, and the trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, comparable to some midsize sedans. A thoughtful touch was the interior grab handle inside the trunk lid.

The 2020 Toyota Camry added Android Auto to its standard features, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM satellite radio. The standard infotainment system, though functional, felt dated with low-resolution graphics. The 7-inch touchscreen could be upgraded to 8 inches, and higher trims offered a 10-inch head-up display. A three-month trial of WiFi Connect and a one-year trial of Remote Connect were also available.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra's standard equipment included a touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and a USB port. The SE trim had a 5-inch screen, while the SEL and higher trims featured a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the screen size to 8 inches and added navigation and Blue Link services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and voice recognition.

The 2020 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense, including a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was included, and blind-spot monitoring was optional. The Camry earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS. There was one recall for leaking engine coolant affecting some 2.5-liter models.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai Smart Sense, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Starting with SEL trim, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were included. The Limited and Sport trims had full LED headlights with automatic high beams. The Ultimate Package added adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a four-star rating from the NHTSA, with a noted concern about rear-door intrusion in side-impact tests.