- [Narrator] For years,
the Toyota Corolla has been synonymous
with quality, durability, and reliability,
making it the go-to compact car choice.
And through the decades,
Corolla has seen no shortage of competitors
try to give it a run for the money,
like this Hyundai Elantra.
Let's see how they stack up in 2021.
Corolla brings big safety to the small-car market,
with standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, LED lighting,
and ten airbags.
In 2021, there's a Corolla for every buyer,
from the sporty thrill-seekers
to those wanting hybrid frugality at the pump.
Corolla's aggressively chiseled look
can be blacked out with the Nightshade Edition,
or lowered, kitted, and tuned with the Apex Edition.
With five offerings in total,
the Corolla lineup is split between the refined L grades
and the sporty S grades.
Additionally,
the S grades are offered in two special editions,
the Nightshade Edition and the Apex Edition,
the latter of which can be had
with an Intelligent Manual Transmission,
like the SE it's based on.
Finally, a Hybrid LE offers a smart way to save at the pump.
Elantra is offered in three core grades.
Additionally, there are two hybrid grades
and a sport grade called N Line,
which can be had with a manual transmission.
Despite its compact size,
Corolla brings benchmark Toyota safety,
starting with standard LED headlights and taillights.
Its sculpted design can be accentuated
with an available black roof and 18-inch alloy wheels,
while the Nightshade Edition
adds black exterior accents, wheels, and more.
The new Apex Edition adds bronze-colored exterior accents,
a body kit, and even a sport-tuned exhaust and suspension.
LED headlights are available at extra cost on Elantra,
while LED taillights
come only on the Limited Hybrid and N Line variants.
The N Line also gets 18-inch alloy wheels.
On the inside,
Corolla boasts impressive style, comfort, and space,
while offering handy features
like a 60/40-split fold-down rear seat as standard.
While it doesn't have standard conveniences
like Corolla's 60/40 split fold-down rear seat,
Elantra can be equipped
with dual fully automatic temperature control,
albeit at increased cost.
With an available 9-speaker JBL audio system,
Corolla makes the most
of its standard compatibility for Apple CarPlay,
which connects drivers to Apple Music, Maps, Messages,
and other favorite apps from your iPhone.
In addition, Android Auto compatibility
makes it easy to stay connected to Android devices,
while Amazon Alexa connectivity
keeps Amazon's digital assistant just a question away.
Plus, there's also a three-month
SiriusXM All Access trial subscription
to more than 300 radio channels
accessible throughout the country.
And if that wasn't enough,
Corolla also includes standard trials
to Toyota's line of Connected Services,
including Safety Connect and Wi-Fi Connect on all grades.
Though Corolla is heavy on tech, Elantra isn't far behind,
with an available 8-speaker Bose audio system
and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
Amazon Alexa is absent here,
but a SiriusXM three-month All Access trial
and Blue Link are available.
Safety is a top priority in Corolla,
starting with its standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0.
The advanced suite bundles high-end tech
like Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
and Road Sign Assist, among others.
And Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
is available too.
Elantra comes standard with Hyundai SmartSense,
and while it doesn't offer Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
on SE or Road Sign Assist on any grade,
it does come standard
with Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist
and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Corolla's lineup includes two engines,
producing 139 or 168 horsepower,
with an EPA-estimated 34 miles per gallon
combined rating on SE and XSE.
And those two sporty grades come standard
with a Dynamic-Shift Continuously Variable Transmission,
which is unique for its use of a physical first gear
for a more engaging feel.
Meanwhile, the performance-oriented Apex Edition
adds a sport-tuned exhaust and suspension,
while the hybrid option has an EPA-estimated
52 miles per gallon combined rating.
Elantra has two engine choices,
including a turbocharged 201-horsepower variant in N Line
that takes fuel economy down to an EPA-estimated
31 miles per gallon combined rating.
That said, a hybrid powertrain is offered
with an EPA-estimated 50 miles per gallon combined rating.
For 2021,
Corolla makes a stronger argument than ever before,
an IIHS Top Safety Pick
with a high-tech model range that supports every buyer,
whether enthusiast or commuter.
Combine that with the ToyotaCare no-cost maintenance plan,
and enhanced hybrid battery warranty,
and it's easy to see why Corolla
has been a small-car legend for more than five decades.