2019 Toyota Corolla vs Camry

Every year, the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Camry rank among the best-selling sedans in America. Both cars have a reputation for being extremely reliable and efficient. While a low starting price makes the compact Corolla a popular choice for budget-minded car shoppers, families especially enjoy the midsize Camry. Is one of these popular cars truly better than the other? Let’s take a more in-depth look at how they match up.

Size and Styling

Don’t underestimate the 2019 Toyota Corolla’s compact classification. Its cabin is large enough for most families to enjoy a relaxing ride. Excellent front-seat legroom makes both of these cars highly recommended for tall drivers. Amazingly, the smaller Corolla actually provides more legroom for folks sitting in the backseat. Comfortable seats help ensure a relaxing commute. Even when taking a three-hour drive, occupants will experience good support.

While the 2019 Toyota Camry does have a larger trunk, it does not provide significantly more cargo space. There’s around 14 cubic feet of cargo space in the Camry’s trunk. By comparison, the Toyota Corolla has a 13 cubic-foot trunk. Most families will have no problem making the Corolla their primary grocery hauler.

Like the Corolla, the new Camry has a practical interior design. Large front windows help the Corolla to provide good forward visibility. However, the Camry has fewer blind spots from the rear. When changing lanes in the Camry, drivers can take a quick look over their shoulder to spot oncoming vehicles.

When it comes to interior styling, the Camry is the hands-down winner. Its driver-focused cockpit and cool-looking center stack will appeal to many people. While the Corolla has a clean interior design, it’s unlikely to trigger a sense of excitement.

From the outside, there’s no overlooking the Camry’s larger stature. It’s roughly 9.0 inches longer than the Corolla. The Camry is also a few inches wider.

Both of these sedans are quite stylish. However, the 2019 Toyota Camry looks bolder. This is especially true for the Camry’s SE and XSE trims. Quad exhaust tips and a black roof give the XSE an even more aggressive character. Remember, Toyota also offers these same sporty trims for the Corolla.

Drivability

Driving the 2019 Toyota Corolla is a piece of cake. The car’s compact design makes it very easy to maneuver. Although the 2019 Toyota Camry’s larger size may pose more issues in tight spots, it still does not require a lot of effort to drive. Highway driving is especially rewarding in the new Camry.

The Corolla’s road handling is good for a compact sedan. However, a wider stance helps the Camry to display more balance around corners. While the Corolla’s overall ride comfort is okay, passengers will definitely feel a few bumps. The Camry does a better job of absorbing rough pavement.

When accelerating hard in the Corolla, its underpowered engine sounds loud. Despite being more expensive, the Toyota Camry isn’t much quieter on the inside. Drivers will likely hear just a bit of tire and road noise.

Only one engine is available for the 2019 Toyota Corolla. An efficient 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine rests under the hood. While the standard version develops 132 horsepower, a few tweaks enable the LE Eco trim to develop 140 horsepower. In real-world driving, there’s not a significant difference in performance.

The 2019 Toyota Camry comes standard with a four-cylinder engine, which develops 203 horsepower. Because of this engine’s competitive performance and strong fuel efficiency, it’s a more popular choice. Drivers seeking a harder punch will want the optional V6 engine. A 301-horsepower output makes it one of the strongest engines in the class.

In terms of overall performance, the Toyota Camry is a clear step above the Toyota Corolla. Testers have clocked the Corolla with a rather slow 0-60 mph time 10.1 seconds. By comparison, it takes the four-cylinder Camry around 8.0 seconds to reach 60 mph. Meanwhile, the V6-powered Camry sprints to 60 mph in 5.8 seconds. Decent is the best way to describe the Corolla's overall driving experience.

Of these two cars, only the Toyota Corolla offers a manual transmission. This fact may interest drivers who prefer to change their own gears. The Corolla’s automatic CVT is not very much fun. You’ll find the Camry’s eight-speed automatic transmission to be far more responsive. It performs smoothly with no delay when stepping on the accelerator.

When it comes to fuel economy, the more powerful Camry actually outclasses the Corolla by a hair. It is rated by the EPA to return up to 41 mpg. By comparison, you can expect the Corolla LE Eco to deliver up to 40 mpg. Getting the Camry with a V6 engine lowers fuel economy to 33 mpg on the highway. Fortunately, Toyota tunes every model to use regular unleaded gasoline.

Neither of these cars delivers class-leading braking. However, the 2019 Toyota Camry does stop quicker than the Corolla during panic situations. Some test drivers have noted the squishy feel of the Corolla’s brakes.

Comfort, Options and Performance

Drivers seeking a more luxurious family vehicle will be drawn to the 2019 Toyota Camry. Its interior materials are of a higher quality. While the 2019 Toyota Corolla is a well-built car, test drivers will immediately notice its cheaper feel. The Corolla focuses more on practicality as opposed to wowing passengers with its plush cabin.

Both the Corolla and the Camry offer Toyota’s excellent SofTex upholstery. This material is durable and easy to wipe clean. Even after years of use, expect the SofTex upholstery to hold up well. However, only the Camry offers leather upholstery. The availability of dual-zone automatic climate control further highlights the Camry’s more luxurious nature.

There are some nice options available on the Toyota Corolla. Technology lovers will certainly want to get Toyota’s Entune App Suite. This feature makes streaming mobile apps a bit easier. An app-based navigation system is also available for drivers who like to travel. Meanwhile, the Corolla’s optional heated front seats are a must for rough winters.

Some niceties are only found on the 2019 Toyota Camry. A standard Wi-Fi hotspot enables families to stay logged onto the internet. The Camry also provides standard Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa connectivity. These are two of the hottest smartphone integration technologies on the market. Don’t forget about the Camry’s available head-up display. By projecting important data like speed and cruise control status onto the lower windshield, it helps drivers to keep their eyes on the road.

While both sedans offer app-based navigation, Camry buyers also have access to a built-in navigation system. It’s more convenient than app-based navigation. Music fans who desire a premium sound system will be disappointed with the Toyota Corolla. Don’t expect its six-speaker stereo to pack much excitement. On the other hand, Toyota offers the Camry with a powerful JBL sound system.

Safety

Car shoppers will have a hard time finding a safer sedan than the 2019 Toyota Camry. It took home a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. The Camry scored a perfect rating in every test, including the rollover test. A Top Safety Pick+ certification from the IIHS further highlights the Camry as a secure vehicle for families.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla also received a five-star rating in overall safety. However, its rollover resistance is not quite as good according to the NHTSA. There are a couple of other areas where the Corolla trails the Camry. Less impressive child seat anchors put the Corolla at a small disadvantage. Based on tests performed by the IIHS, this sedan’s headlights are also not quite as good.

A total of eight airbags surround the Toyota Corolla’s cabin. Meanwhile, there are 10 airbags inside the Toyota Camry. Regardless of which sedan a driver picks, they will have plenty of accident-avoidance technologies to rely upon. A Toyota Safety Sense package is standard. It includes pre-collision braking, lane departure alert with steering assistance, auto high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control.

While the Corolla’s safety technologies will more than satisfy most people, there are a few extra goodies available for the Camry. Folks who spend a lot of time in the city will appreciate the Camry’s available parking sensors. Optional blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert also ensures a safer drive. This feature helps drivers to remain aware of vehicles lurking in their blind spot.

Rear automated emergency braking is another safety feature exclusively available on the Camry, which intervenes when backing up. A 360-degree camera system further simplifies the task of parking. It provides a far better view than the standard backup camera.

Which Model to Choose?

Like the 2019 Toyota Camry, the 2019 Toyota Corolla has many bright spots. Drivers on a limited budget should strongly consider buying a new Corolla. Toyota lists it with a starting MSRP of $18,700. On the other hand, prices for the Camry start at about $24,100. For folks who are trying to save money, this will prove to be a significant difference in cost. Experts consider the Corolla to be a big-time value.

While the Camry is indeed pricier, it does reward buyers with a more exciting list of standard equipment. Highlights include a Wi-Fi hotspot, Amazon Alexa/Apple CarPlay smartphone support, and a larger 7.0-inch touchscreen. Car shoppers should also consider the Camry’s greater number of premium options.

In terms of performance, there’s no competition between the Toyota Corolla and the Toyota Camry. Virtually everyone will agree that the Camry is more entertaining to drive. It offers noticeably more performance. However, the less powerful Corolla is a practical choice for everyday commuting. Parents should consider the Corolla as their teen’s first car. Remember, these sedans have similar fuel economy numbers.

Despite being the larger car, the Toyota Camry does not offer more passenger space than the Corolla. The Corolla is among the roomiest compact sedans on today’s market. Furthermore, there’s only slightly more cargo space in the Corolla’s trunk. Both the Camry and the Camry prove to be a standout family vehicle. A Toyota Safety Sense package comes standard throughout the lineup.

Styling is simply a matter of personal taste. Both sedans offer some sporty trims. However, upper Camry trims will likely cause more heads to turn.

When choosing between the 2019 Toyota Corolla and the 2019 Toyota Camry, car shoppers should take a close look at their budget. Folks who don’t mind spending more money shouldn’t hesitate to pick the new Camry. It offers more performance and better technology. If the Camry seems a bit too costly, the new Corolla will be an ideal substitute. It’s equally as reliable and almost as safe.