Corolla VS Elantra, Forte, Sentra

2024 Kia Forte vs Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Sentra vs Toyota Corolla 

An Extensive Comparison of Compact Sedans

In the realm of compact sedans, striking the perfect balance between affordability, efficiency, and features can be difficult. The 2024 lineup showcases top contenders from Kia, Hyundai, Toyota, and Nissan, each boasting its own strengths and innovations. Let’s delve into how these vehicles stack up against each other.

Fuel Economy

Efficiency is a key consideration for compact sedan buyers, and each model offers competitive fuel economy figures:

While the Hyundai Elantra hybrid model leads in both city and highway efficiency, the Corolla Hybrid is not far behind. For gas models the Elantra also slightly edges out the competition in highway mpg, while the Corolla offers the best mpg for city driving.  For the absolute best efficiency and gas savings the Corolla Hybrid and Elantra hybrid models are clear winners.

Pricing

Affordability is a significant factor for compact sedan buyers, and all four models offer competitive pricing across their trim levels:

Kia Forte

• LX: Starting at $21,145
• LXS: Starting at $21,645
• GT-Line: Starting at $23,645
• GT: Starting at $25,845

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Nissan Sentra

• S: Starting at $22,030
• SV: Starting at $22,960
• SR: Starting at $25,120

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Hyundai Elantra

• SE: Starting at $22,775
• SEL: Starting at $24,725
• Blue Hybrid: Starting at $27,400
• Limited: Starting at $28,215
• N Line: Starting at $29,615
• Limited Hybrid: Starting at $30,600

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Toyota Corolla

• LE: Starting at $23,145
• SE Hatch: $24,600
• XSE Hatch: $27,900
• XSE: Starting at $28,245
• LE Hybrid: Starting at $24,595
• SE Hybrid: Starting at $27,035
• XLE Hybrid: Starting at $28,345

While the Forte and the Sentra come in with the most upfront affordability, their trim line offerings suffer a bit in terms of diversity of options. The Corolla And Elantra bring a very expansive lineup to the table that allows a great deal of customization, but the price tag of even their most basic options is more in line with their competitor’s mid-level trims.

Performance and Powertrain

A range of powertrain options are offered across these vehicles that should cater to many diverse driving preferences and needs:

While all four models deliver adequate power for daily driving,  the Nissan Sentra provides slightly higher horsepower and torque, but the Corolla hatchback clearly leads the pack by a significant amount in terms of horsepower and torque. The Kia Forte and Corolla Hybrid are the only two options offering AWD, which is an important distinction for buyers in regions that see any significant amount of snow.

Interior

Comfort and space both play a crucial role in the appeal of compact sedans, and while none of the vehicles in this comparison have outstanding interior space, some are certainly better than others!

The Hyundai Elantra provides the most spacious interior, ensuring ample room for passengers and cargo alike, closely followed by the Nissan Sentra and Kia Forte. The Corolla hatchback has the most spacious cargo area by far, with 18 ft³ available behind the rear seats, but that room is created in part by sacrificing the legroom of its rear passengers. Drivers who like the feel of a smaller vehicle might prefer the 2024 Corolla. The exterior height, length, and width is by far the smallest among all these competitors.  Those who want the most overall space should look to the Elantra.

Multimedia & Technology

Each competitor is extremely similar in its offerings, with nothing standing out beyond a preference in the brand for the audio experience. The Corolla and Forte do offer a wireless charging pad as a feature of their higher trim levels.

Safety & Warranty

Safety features and warranty coverage are critical considerations for buyers. Below is a breakdown of features, coverage, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration vehicle scores:

Standard Safety Features

• Kia Forte: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Driver Attention Warning

NHTSA Scores – 4 Star Front Crash Rating, 5 Star Side Crash Rating, 5 Star Rollover Rating

• Hyundai Elantra: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping Assist, Driver Attention Warning, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist

NHTSA Scores – 4 Star Front Crash Rating, 5 Star Side Crash Rating, 5 Star Rollover Rating

• Toyota Corolla: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Automatic High Beams, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control)

NHTSA Scores – 5 Star Front Crash Rating, 5 Star Side Crash Rating, 4 Star Rollover Rating

• Nissan Sentra: Nissan Safety Shield 360 (Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Rear Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Warning, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning)

NHTSA Scores -4 Star Front Crash Rating,  5 Star Side Crash Rating, 5 Star Rollover Rating

Warranty Coverage

• Kia Forte: 5 years/60,000 miles (limited), 10 years/100,000 miles (powertrain), 5 years/60,000 miles (roadside assistance)

• Hyundai Elantra: 5 years/60,000 miles (limited), 10 years/100,000 miles (powertrain), Lifetime (hybrid system for subsequent owners), 5 years/unlimited miles (roadside assistance) 3 years/ 36,000 miles (Maintenance Coverage)

• Toyota Corolla: 3 years/36,000 miles (limited), 5 years/60,000 miles (powertrain), 10 years/150,000 miles (hybrid system for California Emissions States), 8 years/100,000 miles (hybrid system for Non-California Emissions States), 2 years/unlimited miles (roadside assistance) 2 years/25,000 miles (Maintenance Coverage)

• Nissan Sentra: 3 years/36,000 miles (limited), 5 years/60,000 miles (powertrain), 3 years/36,000 miles (roadside assistance)

Which One to Choose?

Each of these compact sedans offers its own blend of performance, features, and value. The Kia Forte and Nissan Sentra appear to be the most cost-effective options at first glance, until one considers their lack of hybrid powertrains, and zero covered complimentary maintenance programs causing you to spend more in the long run. We would recommend considering the Corolla or the Elantra depending on your needs. If efficiency and space are of paramount importance when it comes to your decision, the Elantra is a strong contender. If AWD, efficiency, and world-class reliability are what you are after then the Corolla might be for you.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on individual preferences, priorities, and budget considerations. We recommend test-driving each model to determine which aligns best with your needs and driving experience.