Compare the2026 Hyundai Elantra N LineVS 2026 Toyota Corolla

Both the Elantra N Line and Corolla have rear cross-traffic warning, but the Elantra N Line has Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (automatically applies the brakes) to better prevent a collision when backing near traffic. The Corolla’s Rear Cross-Traffic Alert doesn’t automatically brake.

Both the Elantra N Line and the Corolla have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra N Line is safer than the Toyota Corolla:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Hyundai Elantra N Line is safer than the Toyota Corolla:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The Hyundai Elantra N Line (Built after October 2024) has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2025 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned a “Good” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The Corolla has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2025.

The Elantra N Line comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Corolla’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra N Line 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Corolla. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Corolla ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Elantra N Line’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Corolla’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra N Line for 1 year and 11000 miles longer than Toyota pays for maintenance for the Corolla (3/36,000 vs. 2/25000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 27 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

The Elantra N Line’s 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (201 vs. 169) and 44 lbs.-ft. more torque (195 vs. 151) than the Corolla’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Elantra N Line uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Corolla requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 84.9 cents more per gallon.

For better stopping power the Elantra N Line’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla:

The Elantra N Line stops much shorter than the Corolla:

For better traction, the Elantra N Line has larger tires than the Corolla (235/40R18 vs. 205/55R16). The Elantra N Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Corolla (235/40R18 vs. 225/40R18).

The Elantra N Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Corolla LE’s standard 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra N Line has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Corolla LE.

For superior ride and handling, the Hyundai Elantra N Line has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Corolla LE has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Elantra N Line has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Elantra N Line flat and controlled during cornering. The Corolla LE suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

The Elantra N Line has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Corolla doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Elantra N Line is 1.4 inches wider in the front and 1.2 inches wider in the rear than on the Corolla.

The Elantra N Line handles at .91 G’s, while the Corolla XSE pulls only .81 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Elantra N Line executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.8 seconds quicker than the Corolla XSE (26.3 seconds @ .66 average G’s vs. 28.1 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Elantra N Line a Mid-size car, while the Corolla is rated a Compact.

The Elantra N Line has 10.8 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Corolla (99.4 vs. 88.6).

The Elantra N Line has 2.3 inches more front headroom, .3 inches more front legroom, 2.5 inches more front shoulder room, .2 inches more rear headroom, 3.2 inches more rear legroom and 3.9 inches more rear shoulder room than the Corolla.

The Elantra N Line has a much larger trunk than the Corolla (14.2 vs. 13.1 cubic feet).

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Elantra N Line’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Corolla doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

The Elantra N Line has a standard Proximity Key that allows you to unlock the doors from either front door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. The Smart Key System costs extra on the Corolla.

The Elantra N Line’s driver power window, power lock and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The Corolla’s power window (except driver window) and power lock switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Elantra N Line’s variable intermittent wipers have an adjustable delay to allow the driver to choose a setting that best clears the windshield during light rain or mist. The Corolla’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

The Elantra N Line’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Toyota only offers heated mirrors on the Corolla SE/XSE.

The Elantra N Line’s optional rear view mirror has an automatic dimming feature. This mirror can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on it, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Corolla doesn’t offer the luxury of an automatic dimming rear view mirror.

The Elantra N Line’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Corolla doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Compared to the Toyota Corolla, the Hyundai Elantra N Line eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries with its optional integrated Homelink® universal remote controlled from the rear view mirror.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Elantra N Line has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Corolla.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Elantra as the 2021 North American Car of the Year. The Corolla has never been chosen.