Checkmate?

Is the all-new Elantra better than the Corolla Altis?

- Pradeb Biswas

The C+ sedan segment caters to people who want a bit of everything — luxury, comfort, convenience, performance and practicality. For those whom efficiency and reliability hold priority, the choice narrows down to the Toyota Corolla Altis diesel, and that choice has led to it being the highest sold car in the segment and a winner in our diesel sedan comparison test. Now, Hyundai has reintroduced the Elantra. It’s all-new, but is it better than the segment leader? Time to find out.

The 11th-generation Corolla Altis and the newest on our shores caught everyone’s attention. It was a substantial shift in design terms for Toyota. It wasn’t subtle and instead possessed a dynamic and edgy styling language. Whichever angle you chose to look at, the Toyota Corolla with its prominent lines, the tall shoulder line, the wraparound headlamps and the beaky front end made it look sharp. Despite it being on sale since two years, it still looks striking.

The Elantra on the other hand is an ‘inspired design’, not as much inspirational as its predecessor. So borrowing certain design cues from other car makers manages to make it look handsome. There is no denying that the Elantra is an attractive car, probably better looking than the Corolla to some.

Step inside the Corolla Altis, and you are greeted by a layered but flat dashboard that houses slim air vents and a digital clock. There’s a 7-inch touch screen infotainment system in the centre which gets a carbon finish. The steering wheel and gear lever get a silver- like finish. Overall, the cabin has a simple yet functional layout. The quality of cabin plastics, however, leaves a lot to be desired.