2023 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its current generation launched in 2019, aimed to shake off Toyota's reputation for blandness with its bold exterior design. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. The Corolla offered different styling elements across its trim levels, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade and Apex Editions added unique touches like blacked-out trim and bronze accents. Despite its efforts to stand out, the Corolla's interior remained simple and functional, with standard cloth upholstery and optional SofTex leatherette on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra presented a more controversial exterior design that wasn't universally appealing but certainly distinctive. The Elantra offered a range of trims, from the budget-friendly SE to the upscale Limited, with the latter providing a more premium feel than its price suggested. The interior of the Elantra Limited was stylish and well-equipped, featuring light gray leather seats and high-tech displays. However, it did have some drawbacks, such as hard plastic panels on the upper door panels. Overall, the Elantra's cabin was anything but entry-level, offering a blend of style and technology that set it apart from its competitors.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options: a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE models, and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower for the SE and XSE models. The Apex Edition, available for the SE and XSE, featured the same engine but with a sport exhaust system and a manual transmission option. The Apex Edition's suspension enhancements, including unique coil springs and solid stabilizer bars, improved handling but at the cost of ride comfort. While the Apex Edition was more nimble and fun in corners, it lacked the power and performance upgrades of a true performance model.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited, with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, wasn't designed for speed but offered a surprisingly peppy driving experience. The Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) was praised as the best in its class, and the Elantra Limited achieved an impressive 33 mpg during testing. While the Elantra Limited's torsion-beam rear axle setup wasn't as sophisticated as the multi-link suspension in other trims, it provided a comfortable and composed ride. The Elantra Limited excelled in city and highway driving, offering a quiet cabin and consistent handling, though its steering lacked sharpness and the brakes showed some signs of heat-induced shuddering.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though specific headroom and legroom measurements weren't provided. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard compromised forward visibility. The Corolla's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space lagged behind competitors, though it did offer a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Interior storage was limited, with a thin center console and small phone tray.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra, on the other hand, offered a spacious interior with 14.2 cubic feet of trunk space, accommodating full-size suitcases. The Elantra Limited featured a comfortable leather-wrapped, six-way power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. However, rear-seat passengers might find the seating position too reclined, and the lack of rear air vents and USB ports was a drawback. The Elantra's hands-free trunk release and 60/40-split folding back seat added to its practicality.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch touchscreen on higher trims. While it offered Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and other connectivity features, the interface felt dated compared to newer competitors. The Corolla lacked wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and didn't offer advanced features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, available in the SEL Convenience package and standard on the N Line trim. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging, though only Bluetooth supported a wireless connection. The voice recognition system had some limitations, but the Elantra's Digital Key technology and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert were standout features.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla earned top safety ratings, receiving an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, blind-spot monitoring was not standard on all trims.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra also boasted an impressive array of standard safety features, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Elantra Limited added cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and Highway Driving Assist, which combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist. The Elantra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not yet rated the 2023 model.