Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Corolla: Specs Compared
Also searched as Toyota Corolla vs Hyundai Sonata specs — both orientations show this same side-by-side comparison.
The Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Corolla are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 52 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Across 3 measured categories, the Hyundai Sonata leads in 2. Figures are EPA test data, not manufacturer claims.
2015–2027
Toyota Corolla
Compact Cars · 112 configurations
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Hyundai Sonata | Toyota Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Best combined MPG | 52 mpg | 52 mpg |
| Best city MPG | 50 mpg | 53 mpg ✓ |
| Best highway MPG | 56 mpg ✓ | 52 mpg |
| Lowest annual fuel costEPA estimate at 15,000 miles per year | $1,200 | $1,200 |
| Lowest CO2 output | 100 g/mi ✓ | 170 g/mi |
| Engines offered | SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start | SIDI & PFI, Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; 1-mode, SIDI & PFI; 3-mode |
| Transmissions | Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM-S8), Automatic (S8) | Automatic (AV-S10), Automatic (variable gear ratios), Manual 6-spd |
| Drivetrains | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel types | Regular, Regular Gas and Electricity | Regular, Premium |
| EPA class | Large Cars | Compact Cars |
| Years covered | 2015–2027 | 2015–2027 |
| Configurations on record | 81 | 112 |
Source: EPA fuel economy records via fueleconomy.gov. Best-case values across all recorded configurations for each model.
Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Corolla dimensions and size
The Hyundai Sonata is 10.6 inches longer than the Toyota Corolla on a wheelbase 5.5 inches longer, and 480.6 lbs heavier. Both clear the roughly 200 inches of usable length in a standard single garage bay.
| Dimension | Hyundai Sonata (2026) | Toyota Corolla (2026) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 193.3 in | 182.7 in | 10.6 in |
| Width (excl. mirrors) | 73.2 in | 69.3 in | 3.9 in |
| Height | 56.7 in | 55.9 in | 0.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.8 in | 106.3 in | 5.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3,534 lbs | 3,053 lbs | 481 lbs |
Width excludes mirrors; add 8–12 inches for mirrors out. Figures are for the newest model year on record for each vehicle. See both drawn to scale.
Hyundai Sonata vs Toyota Corolla: what the numbers mean
Running cost over five years: at the EPA's 15,000-mile-a-year assumption the Hyundai Sonata burns about $1,200 of fuel annually against $1,200 for the Toyota Corolla. That $0 yearly gap compounds to roughly $0 over five years and $0 over eight — often more than the price difference between two trims of the same vehicle, and the single largest running-cost line item separating these two.
City versus highway split: the Toyota Corolla is the stronger commuter at 53 mpg city, while the Hyundai Sonata pulls ahead on the interstate at 56 mpg highway. If most of your driving is stop-and-go traffic the city figure is the one to weigh; for long-distance highway mileage the reverse is true, and the two vehicles effectively swap places depending on how you drive.
Powertrain choice: the Hyundai Sonata is recorded with 4 distinct engine configurations (SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start), the Toyota Corolla with 4 (SIDI & PFI, Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; 1-mode). Across 81 recorded Hyundai Sonata configurations and 112 for the Toyota Corolla, the wider the engine spread the more the real-world fuel efficiency depends on which version you actually buy, so check the specific model year and drivetrain rather than the headline number.
Drivetrain and class: the Hyundai Sonata is offered with Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive, the Toyota Corolla with Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive. All-wheel drive typically costs one to two mpg combined against the same vehicle in front- or rear-wheel drive, which is worth remembering when the gap between these two is small. The EPA classes them as Large Cars and Compact Cars respectively — the class drives the interior volume, cargo space and passenger space each one is measured against.
Tailpipe emissions: at their cleanest configurations the Hyundai Sonata emits 100 g/mile of CO2 versus 170 g/mile for the Toyota Corolla. Emissions track fuel consumption almost exactly, so the cleaner vehicle here is also the cheaper one to fuel.
Sonata vs Corolla: common questions
Which is better on gas, the Hyundai Sonata or the Toyota Corolla?
The Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Corolla are evenly matched on fuel economy — both peak at 52 mpg combined — so the decision comes down to engine choice, drivetrain, and class.
Which costs less to run per year?
By EPA estimates at 15,000 miles a year, the Toyota Corolla runs about $1,200 a year in fuel at its most efficient configuration, versus about $1,200 for the Hyundai Sonata — a difference of roughly $0 per year.
What engines do the Sonata and Corolla offer?
Hyundai Sonata: SIDI; Hybrid, SIDI & PFI, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start, SIDI & PFI; Stop-Start. Toyota Corolla: SIDI & PFI, Hybrid, SIDI & PFI; 1-mode, SIDI & PFI; 3-mode.
Are they in the same vehicle class?
The EPA classifies the Hyundai Sonata as Large Cars and the Toyota Corolla as Compact Cars, so they aren't a like-for-like match on size.
More Sonata comparisons
More Corolla comparisons
Comparison id: hyundai-sonata-vs-toyota-corolla