Elantra vs GR Corolla
In the compact car class, the Elantra and the GR Corolla are natural rivals. The data doesn’t leave much room for doubt: 3 of 4 areas go to the GR Corolla, and the gap is widest in engine & performance.
At a glance
- Engine & Performance GR Corolla wins
- Fuel Economy & Range Elantra wins
- Space & Practicality GR Corolla wins
- Off-road & Towing GR Corolla wins
- Engine & Performance0.0
- Fuel Economy & Range6.4
- Space & Practicality4.8
- Engine & Performance9.1
- Fuel Economy & Range1.4
- Space & Practicality6.6
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The GR Corolla has 153 hp more power
On this line of the spec sheet, the GR Corolla is in a different league: 300 hp, next to 147 hp for the Elantra. The GR Corolla’s extra output gives it more in reserve when you need to get up to speed.
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The Elantra has better fuel economy
For fuel economy (combined), the Elantra leads by a wide margin: 36 mpg versus 24 mpg. Official figures rarely match real-world driving exactly, but the ranking between two cars tends to hold.
-
The GR Corolla has 25% more cargo space
This is a headline difference. With 17.8 cu ft to the Elantra’s 14.2 cu ft, the GR Corolla has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. Cargo figures are measured in different ways by different makers, so small gaps may not show in practice.
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The GR Corolla has 163 lb-ft more torque
Put simply, the GR Corolla is far ahead here: 295 lb-ft compared with 132 lb-ft. More torque means stronger pulling from low speeds, which you feel when accelerating from a stop or climbing grades.
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The Elantra has a 10.5 in longer body
The GR Corolla has the lower figure on length (173.6 in), while the Elantra reaches 184.1 in. Length matters most in tight garages and city parking spaces.
Design & Size
- Elantra 184.1 in × 71.9 in × 55.7 in
- GR Corolla 173.6 in × 72.8 in × 58.2 in
In overall size, the GR Corolla is ahead, which is good news only if a bigger car is what you want.
Dimensions
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.1 in | 173.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 71.9 in | 72.8 in |
| Height | 55.7 in | 58.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 in | 103.9 in |
Engine & Performance
GR Corolla leads
The GR Corolla clearly takes the engine & performance round. The GR Corolla gives you 153 hp more power. Power is only part of the story; weight, gearing and torque delivery shape how quick a car feels. So if engine & performance tops your list, lean toward the GR Corolla.
Total system output
Elantra: 147 hp GR Corolla: 300 hp More power helps with merging, overtaking and climbing hills, especially with passengers and luggage on board.
Torque
Elantra: 132 lb-ft GR Corolla: 295 lb-ft The GR Corolla’s extra torque makes it more relaxed when fully loaded or towing.
Fuel Economy & Range
Elantra leads
This is one of the Elantra’s strongest areas. On fuel economy & range, the GR Corolla falls well short. The Elantra adds better fuel economy. Better combined fuel economy lowers your running costs every week, and the savings add up over years of ownership. On fuel economy & range alone, the Elantra gets the nod.
Fuel economy (combined)
Elantra: 36 mpg GR Corolla: 24 mpg The Elantra uses less fuel on the standard combined cycle, which matters most if you drive a lot.
Fuel economy (city)
Elantra: 32 mpg GR Corolla: 21 mpg City fuel economy matters most if your driving is mostly short trips, traffic and stop-and-go commutes.
Space & Practicality
GR Corolla leads
If space & practicality is high on your list, the GR Corolla makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The GR Corolla delivers 25% more cargo space. The GR Corolla’s larger cargo area makes family trips and big shopping runs easier. Net result: the GR Corolla leads this part of the comparison.
Cargo (behind rear seats)
Elantra: 14.2 cu ft GR Corolla: 17.8 cu ft Cargo space behind the rear seats is what you use every day for groceries, strollers and luggage.
Off-road & Towing
GR Corolla leads
If you’re keeping score, the off-road & towing point goes narrowly to the GR Corolla. The GR Corolla stands out with available all-wheel drive. Available all-wheel drive improves traction in rain, snow and on loose surfaces. Bottom line for off-road & towing: the GR Corolla has the edge.
AWD / 4WD available
Elantra: no GR Corolla: yes The GR Corolla offers all-wheel drive; the Elantra doesn’t, which matters if you face harsh winters.
Safety & Tech
Names, not numbers: the safety & tech rows below show what each one is built with, and it’s worth reading them side by side.
Full Specifications
Engine & Performance
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Gas | Gas |
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 1.6L turbo I3 |
| Total system output | 147 hp | 300 hp (winner) |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 295 lb-ft (winner) |
| Transmission | IVT (CVT) | 6-speed manual (8-speed automatic available) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | AWD (GR-FOUR) |
Fuel Economy & Range
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy (combined)EPA estimate where available | 36 mpg (winner) | 24 mpg |
| Fuel economy (city) | 32 mpg (winner) | 21 mpg |
| Fuel economy (highway) | 41 mpg (winner) | 28 mpg |
| Fuel tank | 12.4 gal | 13.2 gal |
Space & Practicality
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Cargo (behind rear seats) | 14.2 cu ft | 17.8 cu ft (winner) |
| Rear legroom | 38 in | N/A (not specified) |
Off-road & Towing
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| AWD / 4WD available | No | Yes (winner) |
Safety & Tech
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Largest touchscreen | N/A (not specified) | 8 in Smallest touchscreen |
| Driver-assist suite | Hyundai SmartSense | N/A (not specified) |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 3 yr / 36,000 mi |
Dimensions
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 184.1 in | 173.6 in |
| Width (no mirrors) | 71.9 in | 72.8 in |
| Height | 55.7 in | 58.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 in | 103.9 in |
Price
| Spec | Elantra | GR Corolla |
|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | N/A (not specified) | $40,520 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Elantra if…
- you want better combined fuel economy (36 mpg vs 24 mpg)
- you mostly drive in town (32 mpg vs 21 mpg in the city)
- you want better highway fuel economy (41 mpg vs 28 mpg)
Choose the GR Corolla if…
- you want more power (300 hp vs 147 hp)
- you haul strollers, luggage or sports gear every week (17.8 cu ft vs 14.2 cu ft)
- you often drive loaded up or with a trailer (295 lb-ft vs 132 lb-ft of torque)
- you face snow, ice or slippery back roads
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Elantra or the GR Corolla?
We’d point most buyers to the GR Corolla. The main exception is if you value better fuel economy above everything else.
Is the Elantra bigger than the GR Corolla?
The GR Corolla takes that one. With dimensions of 173.6 × 72.8 × 58.2 in, it is larger than the Elantra (184.1 × 71.9 × 55.7 in).
Executive Summary
If you’ve narrowed it down to the Elantra and the GR Corolla, you’ve already done the hard part. Let me help with the rest. What tips it for me is that the GR Corolla has 153 hp more power. Add 25% more cargo space to the list, and the GR Corolla looks even better. To be fair, the Elantra has better fuel economy, and that’s not nothing.
A quick self-test: do you care more about fuel economy & range or engine & performance? The first answer means the Elantra, the second means the GR Corolla.
My pick: the GR Corolla; the one scenario where I’d reach for the Elantra is if you’d trade the rest for better fuel economy.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.