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RYAN ZUMMALLEN: There's more to small cars than just size.
Sure, compact cars are going to be affordable and good on gas
by their very nature, but can people still fit inside?
Do they have the same features as bigger cars?
How much space is even in there anyway?
Today we have the Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra,
two of the most common cars you'll find on the used market.
To answer these questions and more, let's get started.
Hi, I'm Ryan with Edmunds.
Each year, we test and review hundreds of cars,
while CarMax experts buy, sell, and appraise
thousands and thousands.
We're combining our car testing knowledge
with their experience to help you make the right choice
on your next car.
Before we get started, click the Like button
and hit Subscribe to see more CarMax videos just
like this one.
If you'd like to read a full in-depth article about both
of these cars, click the link in the description below.
First up, we have the 2020 Toyota Corolla.
The Corolla was redesigned for the 2020 model year,
so that means it gets a fresh look and a fully modernized
structure underneath.
In many ways, we've found that that makes this model much
improved over the 2019 version.
On average, CarMax sells 2020 Corollas for about $17,000,
depending on things like the trim level, mileage, options,
and other factors.
And then there's the 2020 Hyundai Elantra.
This version of the car actually debuted in 2017,
and 2020 was the final year for this version.
That does make it a little bit more affordable.
And we consider it still pretty modern
thanks to a great selection of features inside.
But to be honest, it feels a little bit
dated next to the Corolla, in ways
that we'll show you in just a minute.
CarMax sells the 2020 Elantra for an average around $16,000,
again, depending on the trim level, mileage, options,
and other factors.
So what do you need to know about these cars
from the outside?
I got you covered.
Let's start with the model that debuted a new look in 2020.
Compared with the 2019 Corolla, this edition looks fresh.
It looks modern.
It looks friendly.
We were a bit reluctant to recommend Corollas in the past,
but because of its styling and other features
we'll show you soon, the 2020 Corolla
earns a much stronger recommendation.
Next up is the vehicle that held its swan song with the 2020
model.
This look came on the Hyundai Elantra
for its 2019 and 2020 versions.
Here's a key distinction from the Corolla.
Notice how the roof ends right here
at the end of the trunk lip.
That creates more storage space, hint, hint.
Now that we've covered the basics, let's pop inside
and see where these cars start to separate themselves
from one another.
Remember, both of these cars are 2020 models,
but the Corolla was new that year, and it shows.
These are nice materials for a Corolla,
like a soft dashboard and grippy shifter.
This is a big deal because the Corolla traditionally
comes with a lot of cheap, hard plastic.
Not anymore.
This is also a spacious cabin with pretty good room
in the back seat, which is easy even for people six feet
or taller, like me, to get inside.
If you need to move around in the front seat
to get comfortable, they offer a lot of adjustability
so you can find the position just the way you like it.
The base Corolla comes standard with this seven-inch touch
screen and Apple CarPlay, but there is
no Android Auto on 2020 models.
So if you need that, look for a 2021.
Frankly, I would recommend trying
to find an XLE or XSE trim level.
Those have some nicer amenities like faux leather seats
and an upgraded eight-inch touch screen,
just to make your experience a little nicer.
Now, let's check out the Elantra.
Older bones actually serve the Elantra quite well,
and I'll show you how.
But first we should address the materials here
because they're not quite as nice as those in the Corolla.
There is still a lot of hard plastic
and the seats feel pretty flat in this Value Edition trim.
If it were me, I would look for the Limited
to get some upgrades like leather seats,
a nicer stereo, and a lot more.
But the Value Editions does come with some nice features
like heated seats and a sunroof.
One thing to know is that there's no standard touch
screen on the base Elantra SE Model,
so look for the SEL or this Value Edition
to get a seven-inch touch screen that has both
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
I also like this touch screen a little bit better than the one
in the Corolla.
It just looks nicer and it's easier to use.
You can also leave your cell voice memos like this.
[AUDIO PLAYBACK]
- You're doing a great job, Ryan.
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RYAN ZUMMALLEN: Thanks, Ryan.
Taller folks will have to duck to get into the back seat
due to that sloping roof line.
But once back there, they should be able to get comfortable
pretty quickly.
These are small sedans, but there's
more room inside than you might expect, even
for taller passengers.
The Corolla feels newer because it is,
and the Elantra packs a lot of features inside.
And while they focus on value, they're also quite comfortable,
though you can really tell the difference once you get up
into higher trim levels.
What do you say we hop inside and see how they perform?
The Corolla's philosophy is keep it simple.
It has smooth and responsive steering and braking.
And while that doesn't elevate the Corolla
into the upper tier of its class,
it does work pretty well altogether.
There are two engines to pick, a 1.8 liter or a 2.0 liter.
I'm just going to be honest.
Neither is very fast.
So if you're looking for performance, look elsewhere.
On the plus side, you can still get
a manual transmission or a CVT automatic,
and the Corolla has a low curb weight and good balance
on the road.
Drive it smooth and you'll be rewarded
with a solid comfortable ride and a few surprise
smiles every once in a while.
You have more choice when it comes to the Elantra.
So is that a good thing?
There are three available engines, a 1.4 liter, a 1.6
liter, and ours has a 2.0 liter.
These are also pretty slow.
There's a lack of speed even with the turbo-charged models.
But the Elantra has a polished and consistent drive.
Models from 2017 to 2019 had a six-speed automatic.
But the 2020s have a CVT transmission,
and there's no manual option.
On the road, the Elantra only offers OK ride comfort
and noise levels.
It's also not a thrill to drive, and we
wish it was a touch more comfortable,
but it's easy to use.
My advice, drive it mellow.
The Corolla feels much more modern, again, because it is.
And even if it's not its best attribute,
the handling is there.
The Elantra is a pretty slow cruiser
and it keeps the learning curve as low as possible.
So they're small, but what are the pros and cons that
come with that?
We've established that the Corolla is newer,
but surprisingly, that doesn't help it pull away from the pack
when it comes to trunk space.
Its maximum overall capacity is just 13.1 cubic feet, which
is only average for the class.
You remember that flat deck that we talked about?
That's partly why.
There aren't any levers back here
to fold down the rear seats, and even when they do fold down,
they don't go all the way flat.
Sure, it's fine for groceries or duffel bags or a collapsing
table, but you get more in rivals like the Honda Civic
or a hatchback like the Volkswagen Golf or, you know,
that guy.
Interior storage is also on the light side.
There just aren't very many compartments,
and those that are there are rather small.
When it comes to child seats, though, there's
plenty of space in the back seat,
and Toyota makes it easy to find those latches.
If you're looking for the best fuel economy,
the Corolla makes it easy.
The 2.0 liter engine with the most power
also has the highest EPA estimated fuel economy,
at 34 mpg combined.
Yes, it's only on the SE and XSE models,
but it's the best option, although the 1.8 liter also
has good ratings, at 33 mpg or 32 mpg on the XLE trim.
Well, well, well.
It appears the older model has a little bit of wisdom
up its sleeve.
Maximum cargo capacity for the Elantra is 14.4 cubic feet.
That's very good for the class, and it's
in large part due to that sloping roof line.
This is about as big as it gets before you get into hatchbacks
and larger midsize sedans.
Plus, there are levers in the trunk
to fold down the rear seats, but like the Corolla,
they don't go into a completely flat floor.
Also, there are much larger bins inside the cabin
of the Elantra.
You just may need to scooch up the front seats
if you're going to fit child seats in the back.
The EPA estimated fuel economy goes all the way up
to 36 mpg on the Eco trim, but there
aren't a lot of those around.
Instead, try the 2.0 liter, which is also good at 34 mpg,
and you have a lot more choice when it comes to trim levels.
That's probably the most well-rounded engine,
and it's our pick in the Elantra.
The Corolla is a competent combination
of space and efficiency.
On the other hand, the Elantra is clearly
designed to maximize storage and fuel economy.
It wins here handily.
The neat thing about the Toyota Corolla and the Hyundai Elantra
is that they provide a strong package
for people on the go at an attractive price.
And your decision between them could come down to two ways
to think about them.
On the one hand, you could say that even though the 2020
Elantra is an older body style, you
get superior storage and the potential for a better fuel
economy rating than the Corolla at a lower price.
On the other hand, you could also
say that for marginal sacrifices in space and efficiency,
you can get a new Corolla with a more comfortable ride
than the Elantra.
What to do?
What's for sure is that these are two closely matched
sedans that promise lots of miles
of practical transportation on the road ahead.
Head down to the comments and let
us know which would be your pick, Corolla or Elantra,
and then get ready to have some fun.
Thanks for watching.
Be sure to click Subscribe, and for a full in-depth article
on both of these models, click the link in the description
below.
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