A Corolla driving on a city street.

Safety

  • All 2022 Corollas come standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0).
  • Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (SCC) is available on the Elantra SEL for $900, while the Corolla comes standard with some version of Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).
  • The Corolla comes with a driver knee airbag.

Safety features help drivers stay safe on the road.

Standard Active Safety Features

The 2022 Corolla comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0).[tss] For models with a CVT, Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 includes a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC). If you choose the available manual transmission with the Corolla SE or SE Apex Edition, the difference in offerings is that Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are replaced with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).

The 2022 Elantra's comparable active safety features include Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection (FCA-Ped), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Following Assist (LFA), and High Beam Assist (HBA) standard. For Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (SCC) you'd need to get the optional $900 Convenience Package available with the Elantra SEL. You can also get it standard with the Elantra Limited.

Aside from active safety features, the Corolla has ten airbags. These include: driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, passenger seat cushion airbag, rear seat-mounted airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags. The competitor Elantra has Advanced dual front airbags (SRS) with Occupant Classification System (OCS), driver and front passenger side-impact airbags (SRS), and side-curtain airbags (SRS) (front and rear passengers).

You can’t have safety offerings like these without getting noticed by important safety organizations. The 2021 Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra are Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick vehicles when equipped with LED projector headlights. Furthermore, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rated the 2022 Corolla a 5-Star Overall Safety Rating and 5-Star Overall Front Star Rating versus the 2022 Elantra’s 5-Star Overall Safety Rating and 4-Star Front Star Rating.

A Corolla driving on a city street.

Performance

  • The Corolla has an available 2.0L 4-Cylinder engine to excite your drive.
  • Both the Corolla and the Elantra have an available hybrid engine.
  • No matter which sedan you choose, the Corolla and Elantra are great fuel-efficient options.

Get the most out of your drive with the Corolla, which has various engine and transmission types depending on your preference.

Engine Options

If you want your sedan to have a little zip, the performance-focused 2.0L 4-Cylinder engine is standard on the Corolla SE, SE Nightshade Edition, SE Apex Edition, XSE, and XSE Apex Edition. Drivers that choose one of these models get 169 horsepower. The Corolla L's standard 1.8L 4-Cyl engine has 139 horsepower. In comparison, the 2022 Elantra SE, SEL, and Limited have a 2.0L 4-Cylinder engine and only 147 horsepower standard. However, you can get the Elantra N Line for up to 201 horsepower.

Power can only get you so far. That's why the Corolla and Elantra also allow you to go the extra distance, with great EPA-estimated fuel economy ratings. The 2022 Corolla mileage estimates range from an EPA-estimated 28/36/31 (city/hwy/comb) MPG rating on the Corolla SE Apex Edition w/MT to an EPA-estimated 31/40/34 (city/hwy/comb) MPG rating with the Corolla SE with a CVT.

Comparatively, the Elantra SE has an EPA-estimated 33/43/37 (city/hwy/comb) MPG rating. The more sport-centric Elantra N Line with a MT has an EPA-estimated 22/31/25 (city/hwy/comb) or 28/36/31 (city/hwy/comb) with the 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. For better fuel economy, the Elantra SEL and Limited have an EPA-estimated 31/41/35 (city/hwy/comb) MPG rating.

As mentioned previously, both the Corolla and Elantra have hybrid models available. The Corolla Hybrid LE has an EPA-estimated 53/52/52 (city/hwy/comb) MPG rating. Remaining unchanged for the 2022 model year, the Elantra Blue and Limited hybrid models have an EPA-estimated 53/56/54 (city/hwy/comb) and 49/52/50 (city/hwy/comb) MPG rating, respectively.

The interior of a Corolla.

Interior

  • The Corolla has many multimedia features including Amazon Alexa. The Elantra doesn't have Amazon Alexa.
  • If you want a standard 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, the Corolla has you covered.
  • The Corolla XSE and XLE also have the option for the available Connectivity Package that includes Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation with a three-year trial.

See how the Corolla brings tech and convenience to your car's interior.

Audio Features

Enjoy seamless connectivity between your device and car thanks to the impressive features built into the Corolla and Elantra. The Corolla has standard Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Plus, try out SiriusXM® with a 3-month Platinum Plan trial subscription. You get Wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® standard in the Elantra but no Amazon Alexa. For access to wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®, you’ll need to purchase the Elantra Limited. The addition of standard SiriusXM® Satellite Radio is only provided on the SEL and higher.

When something just doesn't have enough room in the trunk, make it fit with the 60/40 split fold-down rear seat standard in the Corolla. To get the similar fold down features with armrest and cupholders standard in the Elantra, you'd need to get the Elantra N Line or Limited. However, this feature is also available in the SEL with the $2,100 Premium Package.

If you like having a planned route, the available Corolla XLE/XSE Connectivity Package includes Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation with a three-year trial. This audio package comes with 9 JBL® speakers, subwoofer, and an amplifier, too. The Elantra Limited offers a 10.25-in. high-resolution touchscreen navigation and Bose premium audio with eight speakers, including a center channel and subwoofer.

Conclusion: Corolla vs. Elantra

While this is an almost even match, the 2022 Corolla inches out the Elantra in some important categories like safety and multimedia.

The 2022 Corolla received a better 5-Star Overall Front Star Rating from the NHTSA. Plus, the Corolla includes added passive safety features like a driver knee and passenger seat cushion airbag on top of all the other active safety features that come with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0).

If you want more tech options, the Corolla has Android Auto™, Apple CarPlay®, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Elantra only features Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®. Aside from more ways to listen, the Corolla also comes with more ways to reconfigure your interior with the standard 60/40 folding rear seats.

For a sedan that has what you're looking for straight out of the box, the 2022 Toyota Corolla is our pick in this head-to-head showdown.

  • The Corolla has additional passive safety features that the Elantra doesn't have available.
  • If you want more ways to connect, the Corolla has standard Amazon Alexa and more.
  • Get standard 60/40 folding rear seats only in the Corolla.