Toyota has some excellent laurels on which to rest: a history of outstanding reliability and affordability are nothing to sneeze at, as are many of its past and current vehicles of high status. But that doesn't change the fact that it feels like Toyota is resting on its laurels with the 2019 Corolla.Corolla sedan carries over unchanged from last year
Pros Comes with a long list of standard convenience and safety features Plenty of room inside, especially in the back Sport seats remain comfortable after hours of continuous driving
Cons Acceleration is slow, even for this class Most interior materials feel cheap Fuel economy isn't great Rivals achieve the same with more power A snooze to drive
Pros Responsive CVT Comfortable front seats Roomy backseat Touchscreen graphics quality Estimated gas mileage
Cons Ride quality Steering feel Droning sounds from CVT Modest power at highway speeds Some low-grade plastic interior trim No Apple CarPlay, Android Auto connectivity
The 2019 Toyota Corolla is a fun choice as a hatchback, but we’d skip the sedan in favor of its competitors.
Pros Entertaining hatchback Spacious hatchback Well-equipped hatchback Good safety gear The hatchback, period
Cons Outdated sedan CarPlay only on hatch CVT can drone Shop the competition
The 2018 Hyundai Accent clouds the new-or-used question, but only in well-equipped Limited trim.
Pros City-street nimble Pretty, if not distinctive Well-equipped as a Limited Quieter cabin
Cons No more hatchback No AEB on SE or SEL Full-throttle noise Gas mileage isn’t tops in class
No need for excuses here: The Accent, with its distinctive design and fuel-sipping engine, is a fine choice for an economical car. The interior feels more upscale than that of the competition, but the Accent is available only as a sedan. Its 130-hp 1.6-liter inline-four pairs with either a standard perky six-speed manual or an optional sluggish six-speed automatic.
Pros Mature design, nicely equipped, overall sophistication.
Cons Modest fuel economy, sluggish automatic, weaker value than the base model.
The 2018 Hyundai Accent is all-new. It rides atop a new chassis that is a half-inch longer than before, yielding slightly more interior space and passenger room. Increased use of high-strength steel in the frame and the body promises improved handling dynamics, and the revised four-cylinder engine delivers better fuel economy.
PROS Comfortable ride and impressively quiet cabin Spacious interior is upscale for the segment Long warranty coverage provides peace of mind Fuel efficiency is more competitive
CONS Enhanced safety aids only available on top trim level Lacks in-dash navigation but connects to smartphone nav apps
