Compare the2026 Toyota Corolla HatchbackVS 2026 Hyundai Tucson

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The Toyota Corolla Hatchback has a standard driver’s side knee airbag mounted low on the dashboard. The knee airbag helps prevent the driver from sliding under the seatbelts or the main frontal airbag; this keeps the driver better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. A knee airbag also helps keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Tucson doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The Corolla Hatchback has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Tucson doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Tucson doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Tucson have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	187	364
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	35%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is safer than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	223 lbs.
Hip Force	330 lbs.	440 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	59 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	751 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	239	332
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	46 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Corolla Hatchback is 5.4% to 6.9% less likely to roll over than the Tucson.

Warranty

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla Hatchback for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Hyundai doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Tucson.

There are over 45 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Corolla Hatchback’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla Hatchback’s reliability 30 points higher than the Tucson.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 60 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 25th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Hyundai is ranked 10th.

Engine

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Corolla Hatchback is faster than the Hyundai Tucson:

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson
Zero to 60 MPH	8.7 sec	9.6 sec
Quarter Mile	16.8 sec	17.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	84 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Corolla Hatchback gets better mileage than the Tucson:

			MPG
Corolla Hatchback
	FWD	SE/Nightshade 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	32 city/41 hwy
		XSE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	30 city/38 hwy
Tucson
	FWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/30 hwy

Transmission

The Corolla Hatchback has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Tucson doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Corolla Hatchback stops shorter than the Tucson:

	Corolla Hatchback	Tucson
60 to 0 MPH	129 feet	130 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

The Corolla Hatchback SE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Tucson’s standard 65 series tires. The Corolla Hatchback FX/XSE’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Tucson Limited’s 55 series tires.

Suspension and Handling

The Corolla Hatchback has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Tucson doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Corolla Hatchback XSE handles at .85 G’s, while the Tucson Limited AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Corolla Hatchback’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the Tucson’s (37.4 feet vs. 38.6 feet).

Chassis

The Toyota Corolla Hatchback may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 750 pounds less than the Hyundai Tucson.

The Corolla Hatchback is 10.7 inches shorter than the Tucson, making the Corolla Hatchback easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Corolla Hatchback is 8.5 inches shorter in height than the Tucson, making the Corolla Hatchback much easier to wash and garage and drive (lower center of gravity).

Ergonomics

The Corolla Hatchback’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Tucson’s standard power window switches have to be held the entire time to close them fully. Only its driver’s window opens automatically. With the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla Hatchback the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Tucson can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Corolla Hatchback’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Tucson SEL/XRT/Limited.

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Tucson offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Corolla Hatchback XSE has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Tucson doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Corolla has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Tucson SEL Premium/XRT/Limited offers wireless charging.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Hyundai Tucson isn’t available as a sedan or four door hatchback.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Corolla Hatchback and the Hyundai Tucson, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Hyundai Tucson by 15% during 2024.

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