2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite its redesign, retained a somewhat controversial appearance, likened to "malevolent aliens." However, when equipped with SE or XSE trim and the Celestite paint colour, it presented a more appealing aesthetic. The interior saw significant improvements in quality, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the previous model's hard plastics. Yet, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of its economy car status, lacking the solid feel found in competitors like Hyundai or Kia. The Corolla's pricing started at $18,990, with various trims offering different features and power levels, including a hybrid option for those prioritizing fuel efficiency.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra maintained its bold, geometric design from the previous year's restyle, setting the stage for future models. Available in five trims, the Elantra's pricing ranged from $17,099 to $27,549. The Ultimate trim, tested, featured a striking black paint job that highlighted its angular design elements. Inside, the Elantra offered an upscale look with silver trim accents, though some hard plastics remained. The Elantra's interior was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, and included thoughtful features like a front passenger seat-height adjuster and a dual-zone climate control system in upper trims.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims, paired with a CVT and 16-inch wheels. The SE and XSE trims provided a more spirited experience with a 169-horsepower, 2.0-litre engine, a sophisticated CVT with paddle shifters, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The Corolla XSE's sporty driving experience was well-tuned, offering a smooth ride thanks to its independent rear suspension. However, the lack of a turbocharger limited its acceleration capabilities, particularly in demanding driving situations. Fuel efficiency was rated at 7.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.1 on the highway, with real-world testing averaging 7.9 L/100 km.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra's base engine was a 147-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder paired with a new CVT, replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The Elantra Sport trim offered a 1.6-litre turbo engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, along with an independent rear suspension for improved handling. The Elantra's CVT, dubbed "Intelligent Variable Transmission," provided smooth simulated gear shifts and improved fuel efficiency, though real-world testing showed an average of 8.0 L/100 km, falling short of expectations. The Elantra's ride was less refined due to its torsion beam axle rear suspension, but the Sport trim offered a more enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, smaller than a Camry, accommodated a family of four for various trips, though rear passengers found the lack of air-conditioning vents and USB ports uncomfortable. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit challenging for some. The interior offered limited storage, with small cupholders and a trunk space of 371 litres, sufficient for several bags and a stroller.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra provided roomy accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person fitting for short trips. The interior featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding centre console armrest. Upper trims included a dual-zone climate control system, though rear air vents were absent. The Elantra's trunk offered 407 litres of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and included a convenient interior grab handle for closing.

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 an 8-inch display and additional features like HD Radio and SiriusXM. The Entune 3.0 Plus added advanced voice recognition and various trial services, though iPhone users found the standard setup sufficient.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra's standard infotainment system included a touchscreen with Bluetooth and a USB port. The Preferred trim added a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Ultimate trim featured an 8-inch screen, wireless charging, and a premium Infinity sound system. The touchscreen was well-positioned, with shortcut buttons and volume knobs for easy use, and the Infinity sound system delivered impressive audio quality for a compact car.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign recognition, and Lane Tracing Assist. The system generally operated with refinement, though the lane-departure warning alert was considered irritating. The Corolla received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered advanced driving assistance systems on the Preferred trim, including forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate grade added features like adaptive cruise control and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with full LED headlights and a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion during side-impact tests.