Trucks and SUVs may be super popular these days, but there are still great sedan choices to pick from. The Hyundai Elantra and Subaru Impreza are two compact sedans from Asian companies. They’re similar cars, but their slight differences make the 2020 Hyundai Elantra the more practical choice.

The 2020 Subaru Impreza has all-wheel drive

The Hyundai Elantra and Subaru Impreza both have smaller engines, but they do have other differences in their powertrains. The Elantra has a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which Kelley Blue Book says offers plenty of punch and makes the ride “comfortable and controlled.” There are also two other engine options: a 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder and a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder. There isn’t a hybrid option for 2020, but there will be for the 2021 Elantra. The 2020 Elantra doesn’t offer an all-wheel-drive option.

The 2020 Impreza by contrast comes standard with all-wheel drive. It also offers either an automatic or a manual transmission. It doesn’t offer a hybrid powertrain option though, and Kelley Blue Book found that it has “less-than-spirited handing,” although it’s also “compliant and easy to drive.” The engine generates 152 hp.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has a nice interior

Both cars have pleasant interiors and several body styles. The 2020 Elantra is offered in a hot hatchback, the Elantra GT N Line, in addition to the sedan. There is also the efficient Eco line as well. The Elantra has a nicely refined interior style.

The 2020 Impreza comes with a choice of body styles as well, with both a sedan and a hatchback. Cloth seats are standard, but leather is available with the higher trims. There’s lots of room for passengers and cargo.

Both have different safety strengths

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has lots of technology and safety features, but the Subaru Impreza has a higher safety rating. The 2020 Elantra provides standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility along with lots of advanced safety features. The safety features include collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, and driver-attention monitoring.

The 2020 Impreza only includes the EyeSight safety suite with the automatic transmission and not with the manual transmission, but it does come standard with the automatic cars. Kelley Blue Book likes that the EyeSight has “stereo cameras that help monitor conditions and keep a safe distance from the car ahead.” The Impreza also comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra has a longer warranty

The Hyundai Elantra comes with a long warranty, according to Kelley Blue Book. The Elantra has a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. The Impreza’s warranty is shorter at three years/36,000 miles.

The 2020 Subaru Impreza has a lower starting price

The 2020 Elantra has a starting price of $18,950. The starting price of the 2020 Subaru Impreza is just a little bit lower at $18,695. The 2020 Impreza is the most affordable Subaru, and it includes all-wheel drive with its low price. The Elantra offers great value though.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra is the more practical choice

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra and 2020 Subaru Impreza are both good new car options, but Kelley Blue Book prefers the Elantra. Both cars offer several body styles to pick from.

The Elantra was recently substantially redesigned in 2019, and, according to Kelley Blue Book, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra provides a more refined interior along with more engine choices and a long warranty. Kelley Blue Book points out that the 2020 Hyundai Elantra has good looks and good fuel efficiency, plus it has nice tech features and a very good value. All these reasons help to make it one of the best-selling vehicles for Kia. Kelley Blue Book calls the 2020 Hyundai Elantra “an excellent bet.”

The 2020 Subaru Impreza does have all-wheel drive for all trims plus a higher safety rating. It has good resale value since it’s a reliable vehicle. The 2020 Elantra is still the winner and is a great practical choice.