2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2025 Toyota Corolla

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid underwent significant styling updates, enhancing its modern appeal. The front fascia featured a sleek lightbar, known as the “seamless horizon lamp,” which added a contemporary touch to the sedan. The badge was repositioned above the grille, and the headlights were placed independently below it, drawing a clear resemblance to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 while avoiding its more polarizing design elements. The rear end of the Sonata, already equipped with a lightbar, now mirrored the new Hyundai Santa Fe with a wide “H” shape formed by the taillights. A sporty black spoiler-like trunk lid was also introduced. From the side, the 2024 Sonata closely resembled the 2023 model, with minimal changes to its profile. The Limited-trim test car featured 17-inch wheels and a fashionable enamel gray color called “Transmission Blue,” which could be selected without additional cost. The interior saw changes in the dashboard design, with vents flowing across and a redesigned steering wheel featuring a T-shape and a Morse code “H” logo. Three interior color schemes were available, with the test car showcasing a basic black interior.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla, while not redesigned since 2020, received updates to maintain its appeal. The introduction of a larger 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system and the FX special edition aimed to generate interest. The FX edition, positioned above the LE and SE trims, featured a lowered ride height, blacked-out emblems, and a chrome dual-tipped exhaust outlet. The Corolla FX test car started at $26,650, with options bringing the MSRP to $29,369. The FX edition evoked memories of the 1987 Corolla FX16 hatchback, though the connection was not immediately apparent. The Corolla sedan’s design was mostly inoffensive, with a lowered sport suspension and attractive 18-inch wheels. Inside, the Corolla FX featured a Moonstone-color interior, offering a departure from typical black cabins. The new 10.5-inch touchscreen lacked volume and tuning knobs, requiring reliance on steering wheel controls. Despite the absence of knobs, the Corolla’s infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with various connected services.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel-drive system for the gas version, while the hybrid remained front-wheel-drive. The Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine and electric motor produced a combined 192 horsepower, delivered through a six-speed automatic transmission. Unlike most hybrids with CVTs, the Sonata Hybrid maintained an EPA rating of 47 mpg combined. The automatic transmission provided better control, and the steering wheel paddles allowed for gear shifting in Sport mode. The steering feel and handling were commendable, and the configurable driver-information display allowed simultaneous viewing of the tachometer and hybrid system’s power flow.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla FX distinguished itself with a lowered sport suspension and sport-tuned steering. It shared the same mechanical hardware as the Corolla SE and XSE, featuring a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. While not class-leading in power, the Corolla FX utilized a Dynamic Shift CVT for quick acceleration. The Corolla’s ride and handling were sound, though it struggled with potholes and speed bumps. On mountain roads, the Corolla FX showcased its TNGA platform’s ride and handling qualities, offering good grip and predictable handling. The Corolla FX averaged 32.2 mpg, slightly below the EPA rating of 34 mpg combined.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with the driver’s seat providing exceptional visibility. The Limited trim’s panoramic moonroof reduced front-seat headroom to 37.8 inches, slightly above competitors like the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Rear-seat headroom was also competitive, with 37.4 inches with the moonroof. The Sonata prioritized front-row legroom with 46.1 inches, while rear-seat passengers received 34.8 inches. The Limited-trim test car featured heated and ventilated seats, and the slimmer steering wheel rim provided comfort. The trunk close button added an extra convenience feature.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla FX offered a comfortable driving position with good forward visibility, thanks to its manual driver’s seat height adjuster and fabric upholstery. Rear-seat occupants enjoyed firm cushions with impressive leg support, though headroom was limited. The Corolla lacked rear air conditioning vents and practical storage space, particularly in the center console. The trunk provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding rear bench seat for expanded capacity.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a selectable USB-C port for data-transmitting or charging-only functionality, complementing the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The curved display combined the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display into a single panel, with logical and intuitive haptic “buttons” for climate control and media functions. The Limited trim included navigation, natural language voice-recognition, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, while a six-speaker sound system was standard.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla introduced a larger 10.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, though its placement on the dashboard could obstruct visibility for low-slung drivers. The screen displayed one data panel at a time, with consolidated drill-down menus requiring more attention. Volume and stereo mute buttons were added, but tuning required steering wheel controls or voice commands. The Corolla offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with complimentary trial subscriptions to connected services like Safety Connect and Drive Connect. The Corolla’s six-speaker sound system was bass-heavy, with a JBL premium sound system available for the XSE trim.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim offered additional features like a blind-spot-view monitor, surround-view monitor, Highway Driving Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Hyundai’s infotainment system made safety features easy to find and understand.

The 2025 Toyota Corolla came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all but the XSE trim. The Corolla received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and was named a 2024 “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS.