Verdict
At RM189,888, the Hyundai Sonata costs RM45,088 more than the RM144,800 Toyota Corolla, and its RM877 annual road tax is RM598 higher. That buys a larger 4,900 mm sedan with a 2.5-litre 177 hp, 232 Nm engine, 510-litre boot, panoramic sunroof and head-up display. The Corolla is 270 mm shorter but gets adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go, plus five-star Euro NCAP, ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP ratings. For Malaysian buyers watching upfront and annual costs, the Corolla is the rational pick; choose the Sonata for space and performance.
Pick the Hyundai Sonata if you want 177 hp and 232 Nm, a 2,840 mm wheelbase, 510 litres of boot space and equipment including a panoramic sunroof and head-up display.
Pick the Toyota Corolla if you want to save RM45,088, pay RM279 rather than RM877 in annual road tax, and have adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Key differences
- Price: Hyundai Sonata RM189,888; Toyota Corolla RM144,800.
- Engine output: Hyundai Sonata 177 hp and 232 Nm; Toyota Corolla 137 hp and 172 Nm.
- Size: Hyundai Sonata is 4,900 mm long with a 2,840 mm wheelbase; Toyota Corolla is 4,630 mm long with a 2,700 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Hyundai Sonata 510 litres; Toyota Corolla 470 litres.
- Road tax: Hyundai Sonata RM877 per year; Toyota Corolla RM279 per year.
- Cruise control: Hyundai Sonata passive cruise control; Toyota Corolla adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
Sonata
- 177 hp and 232 Nm from a 2.5-litre engine.
- 270 mm longer wheelbase and 40 litres more boot space.
- Panoramic sunroof, head-up display and around-view monitor.
- Costs RM45,088 more and incurs RM598 more annual road tax.
- Has passive rather than adaptive cruise control.
- No Euro NCAP, ANCAP or ASEAN NCAP rating is listed, versus the Corolla's five-star ratings.
Corolla
- RM144,800 price and RM279 annual road tax.
- Adaptive cruise control with steering assist and stop-and-go.
- Five-star Euro NCAP, ANCAP and ASEAN NCAP ratings, plus a full-size 17-inch alloy spare.
- Produces 40 hp and 60 Nm less than the Sonata.
- Has a 140 mm shorter wheelbase and 40-litre smaller boot.
- Lacks the Sonata's panoramic sunroof, head-up display and blind-spot information system.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM189,888 | RM144,800✓ |
| Body type | Sedan | Sedan |
| Segment | D-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM877 | RM279✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, naturally aspirated with continuously variable valve timing | 16-valve DOHC, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 2,497 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Horsepower | 177 hp✓ | 137 hp |
| Torque | 232 Nm✓ | 172 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 88.5 mm | 80.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 10.5 | 10 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | 6 Speed Automatic | 7 Speed Sequential Shiftmatic CVT |
| Gears | 6 | — |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Hyundai | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,900 mm | 4,630 mm |
| Width | 1,890 mm | 1,780 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,840 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,448 kg | 1,365 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 70 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 510 litres✓ | 470 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/45R18 | 225/45R17 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full-size 17" Alloy |
| Factory Tyres | Continental PremiumContact 6 | Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 050 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | Korea (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-Link | Double Wishbone |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars |
| ASEAN NCAP | — | 5 stars |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Driver's Knee, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-Point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for two outer rear passenger seats | Available on two outer rear passenger seats |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | No |
| Seatbelt Reminder | Front Seats Only | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Blind Spot View Monitoring, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Reflector | Bi-LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | 10-Way Power-Adjustable Driver's Seat, 4-Way Power-Adjustable Front Passenger Seat | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-Folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | Rear Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 1 Rear USB | 1 Front |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 8.0" Display Audio Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers | 9.0" Infotainment Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Entry with Remote Control Activation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and Go |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with Around View Monitor | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | Wireless Qi Charger with Cooling Function, Head-up Display | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 300,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 5 years | 5 years |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Sonata & Corolla for sale
Sonata vs Corolla FAQ
Is the Hyundai Sonata or Toyota Corolla better?
The Toyota Corolla is better for lower purchase and road-tax costs, adaptive cruise control and listed five-star safety ratings. The Hyundai Sonata is better if you need more power, a longer wheelbase, more boot space and premium equipment.
What is the price difference?
The Hyundai Sonata costs RM189,888 and the Toyota Corolla costs RM144,800, so the Sonata is RM45,088 more expensive.
Which car is more practical for rear passengers and luggage?
The Hyundai Sonata is the more spacious choice on paper: its 2,840 mm wheelbase is 140 mm longer and its 510-litre boot is 40 litres larger than the Toyota Corolla's 470 litres.