The Toyota Corolla continues to dominate the compact car segment and is one of the best-selling vehicles in the world. A compact car competitor of the Corolla is the Hyundai Elantra. Find out how they measure up in this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Hyundai Elantra comparison.

2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Hyundai Elantra: What are the differences?

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Hyundai Elantra compact car comparison, we evaluated several areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, safety, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, reliability, and price. The Corolla offers sedan and hatchback models, but the Elantra only offers a sedan. We note the differences when applicable.

Corolla vs. Elantra: Performance

On the performance front, the standard 2023 Toyota Corolla model has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 169 horsepower. Also, the Corolla offers a hybrid powertrain. The Corolla Hybrid generates 121 horsepower for the front-wheel drive model. However, the specs for the all-wheel drive version are not yet available.

For even greater performance, you can get the first-ever GR Corolla “hot hatch.” The GR Corolla has a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, which churns out 300 horsepower. 

In comparison, engine options for the standard 2023 Hyundai Elantra model include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (147 horsepower) and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (201 horsepower). There’s also the high-performance Elantra N with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 276 horsepower. 

Corolla vs. Elantra: Gas mileage

For efficiency, the fully gas-powered 2023 Corolla has an estimated fuel economy of up to 31 city/40 highway mpg, compared to 33 city/43 highway mpg for the 2023 Elantra. However, the Corolla Hybrid is the most efficient of all, with an estimated gas mileage of up to 53 city/46 highway mpg.

Corolla vs. Elantra: Safety

The Corolla is safer than the Elantra. For the previous model year, the Corolla earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, which is the highest possible IIHS rating. In comparison, the Elantra earned the second-tier IIHS Top Safety Pick award. 

Corolla vs. Elantra: Passenger and cargo space

Which compact car is bigger: the 2023 Corolla or the 2023 Elantra? Both vehicles can seat up to five people, but the Elantra provides more passenger space than the Corolla. It has a total passenger volume of 99.4 cu-ft, compared to 88.6 cu-ft for the Corolla Sedan and 84.6 cu-ft for the Corolla Hatchback.

For storage space in the truck of the sedan models, the Elantra has a cargo capacity of 14.2 cu-ft, compared to 13.1 cu-ft for the Corolla Sedan. However, the Corolla Hatchback has a maximum cargo capacity of 23.0 cu-ft.

Corolla vs. Elantra: Warranty coverage and reliability

The Elantra has more generous warranty coverage than the Corolla. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, compared to a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty for the Elantra. Also, the Elantra offers a more generous complimentary maintenance plan. It’s good for three years or 36,000 miles, compared to two years or 25,000 miles for the Corolla.

However, the Corolla is more reliable than the Elantra. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 85/100, compared to 78/100 for the Elantra.

Corolla vs. Elantra: Price

Which compact car costs more: the 2023 Corolla or the 2023 Elantra? The 2023 Corolla has a starting price of $21,500 MSRP, compared to $20,500 MSRP for the Elantra.

2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Hyundai Elantra: Which compact car is better?

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Hyundai Elantra comparison, each compact car has various advantages. For the 2023 Corolla, advantages include a higher base engine and maximum horsepower output, an ultra-efficient hybrid model, safety, hatchback cargo space, and reliability. 

Conversely, advantages for the 2023 Elantra include gas-powered fuel economy, passenger space, sedan trunk space, more generous coverage for the warranties and complimentary maintenance plan, and a lower base price.