2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, with its redesigned look, was not universally praised for its aesthetics. The front end, in particular, drew mixed reactions, though the SE and XSE trims with the Celestite paint color were considered more attractive. Inside, the Corolla saw significant improvements in perceived quality, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the previously cheap, hard plastics. However, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of the car's economy status, lacking the solid feel found in competitors like Hyundai or Kia. The base price started at $19,600, with the top XSE trim reaching around $28,800.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra, last redesigned in 2017 and restyled in 2019, maintained its bold, geometric appearance for 2020. Available in six trims, from the base SE to the sporty Sport, prices ranged from $19,300 to $24,150. The Limited trim, with the Ultimate Package, brought the total to $27,630. The Elantra's black paint job highlighted its angular design elements, creating a stylish, if not universally appealing, look. Inside, the Elantra featured silver trim and some hard plastics, but overall, it offered a more upscale feel compared to its predecessor.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, a sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters, and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The XSE trim's driving dynamics were well-tuned, providing a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the Corolla XSE struggled with acceleration, particularly in dynamic driving situations, and averaged 29.8 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 34 mpg combined.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra's base engine was a 147-hp, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired with a new CVT, replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The Elantra Eco featured a 128-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged engine with a seven-speed DCT, achieving 36 mpg combined. The Elantra Sport, with a 201-hp, 1.6-liter turbo engine and independent rear suspension, offered a more enjoyable driving experience. The Limited trim's CVT, called the "Intelligent Variable Transmission," provided smooth and efficient performance, though real-world fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 29.3 mpg. The Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, making the Sport trim's independent suspension a better choice for driving enjoyment.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite being smaller than a Camry, offered a roomy interior officially rated as midsize by the EPA. However, rear passengers, especially children, found the lack of rear air-conditioning vents and USB ports uncomfortable. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit challenging for some. Storage space was limited, with small cupholders and few storage bins. The trunk provided 13.1 cubic feet of space, enough for several bags and a compact stroller, though it lacked a handle for easy closing.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra provided comfortable accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person fitting for short trips. The Limited trim featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. All Elantras included a front passenger's seat-height adjuster and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, rear air-conditioning vents were not available. Interior storage was adequate, and the trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans. A grab handle inside the trunk lid made closing it easy.

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, volume and tuning knobs, and main menu buttons. Higher trims offered advanced voice recognition, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and a JBL premium sound system. Various free trial periods for connected services were included, though Android users might find the system less accommodating.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came with a touchscreen infotainment system, 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 additional connected services. The system was easy to use, with shortcut buttons and volume and tuning knobs, and the Infinity sound system impressed for a compact car.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came standard with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, including low-light pedestrian detection, daytime cyclist detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system operated with impressive refinement, though the lane-departure warning alert was irritating. Blind-spot monitoring was standard on higher trims and optional on others. The Corolla received a 5-star frontal-impact rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured Hyundai Smart Sense as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and full LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Ultimate Package included adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a noted concern about rear-door intrusion during side-impact testing.