Premium sedans have consistently held the top spot as the preferred choice in the UAE region. They deliver an ideal combination of spacious interiors, advanced features, smooth rides, and value for money. Consequently, these sedans are widely adopted for both personal and commercial purposes, often serving as chauffeur-driven taxis.
In this week’s DubiCompare feature, we’re putting two of the most sought-after premium sedans head-to-head: the Toyota Camry and the Hyundai Elantra. Time to find out whether the South Koreans have made a superior car compared to the Japanese contenders.
Toyota Camry v/s Hyundai Elantra: Dimensions
| Dimensions | Camry | Elantra |
| Length | 4,885mm | 4,675mm |
| Width | 1,840mm | 1,825mm |
| Height | 1,445mm | 1,430mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,825mm | 2,720mm |
| Rear Legroom | 965mm | 965mm |
| Ground Clearance | 145mm | 135mm |
| Boot Space | 493L | 402L |
| Fuel Tank | 50L | 47L |
The Toyota Camry is larger than the Elantra, featuring a 105mm longer wheelbase. Despite these size differences, both models are specifically engineered to prioritize rear passenger comfort, resulting in similar rear legroom. However, the Elantra falls short in front and boot space when compared to the more spacious Camry.
Toyota Camry v/s Hyundai Elantra: Exterior Design
| Features | Camry | Elantra |
| Headlights | LED | LED |
| Taillights | LED | LED |
| Wheels | 18-inch | 16-inch |
| Fog Lamps | No | No |
| Boot Lip Spoiler | Yes | No |
| Shark-Fin Antenna | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome Trims | Yes | Yes |
Both the Camry and the Elantra have a premium appearance with a hint of sportiness. The Camry adopts a more mature design, whereas the Elantra leans towards a sportier aesthetic with a honeycomb grille, stylish lighting, and a sleek roofline. It’s worth noting that the Camry stands out with its larger wheels, offering a more proportionate look compared to the slightly smaller wheels on the Elantra.
Toyota Camry v/s Hyundai Elantra: Interiors & Features
| Features | Camry | Elantra |
| Instrument Cluster | 9-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Infotainment | 7-inch | 10.25-inch |
| Head-Up Display | No | Hybrid Only |
| Android Auto | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Carplay | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charger | Yes | Yes |
| Climate Control | Dual-Zone | Dual-Zone |
| Audio | 9-Speaker | 8-Speaker |
| Ambient Lighting | Yes | Yes |
| Seat Ventilation | No | Front Seats |
| Leather Upholstery | Yes | Yes |
| Powered Seats | Fronts Seats | Front Seats |
| Powered Rear Sunshade | Yes | No |
Hyundai has incorporated more technology and convenience features in the Elantra compared to the Toyota Camry. The Elantra includes ventilated seats and large displays for both the instrument cluster and infotainment system. In contrast, the Camry prioritises rear passenger comfort and introduces features such as a rear automatic sunshade.
Toyota Camry v/s Hyundai Elantra: Engine & Performance
This aspect can be complex, given that both sedans are imported into the country with both GCC and non-GCC specifications. Toyota provides the Camry with three engine options, and Hyundai offers the Elantra with a similar choice. However, for this comparison, we are excluding the base-spec engines – the 2.5L non-hybrid for the Camry and the 1.6L non-hybrid for the Elantra – as these engines typically come in a non-GCC specification. Let’s now examine how the other two powertrain options compare on both these sedans.
Hybrid Engine Comparison
| Engines | Camry | Elantra |
| Capacity | 2.5L i-4 | 1.6 i-4 |
| Max Power | 215hp | 139hp |
| Peak Torque | 221Nm | 265Nm |
| Top-Speed | 200km/h | 178km/h |
| Acceleration [0 to 100km/h] | 9.1 seconds | 10.5 seconds |
| Gearbox | eCVT | 6-speed DCT |
Toyota has popularized hybrid systems, and this is evident in this comparison as the Camry delivers more power and performance compared to the Elantra. People have also praised the Camry Hybrid for its excellent fuel economy figures. The Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, being the newcomer, still offers decent performance.
Non-Hybrid Engine Comparison
| Engines | Camry | Elantra |
| Capacity | 3.5L V6 | 2.0L i-4 |
| Max Power | 298hp | 157hp |
| Peak Torque | 356Nm | 191Nm |
| Top-Speed | 235km/h | 203km/h |
| Acceleration [0 to 100km/h] | 6.3 seconds | 9.8 seconds |
| Gearbox | 8-speed AT | 6-speed AT |
Once again, the Camry holds the edge as the more powerful option due to its larger V6 engine. Hyundai’s 2L engine is more efficient compared to the Camry’s 3.5L V6 engine. Additionally, the Hyundai Elantra 2L provides respectable performance with a 0 to 100 km/h time under 10 seconds.
Toyota Camry v/s Hyundai Elantra: Safety
| Safety Features | Camry | Elantra |
| Airbags | 8 | 6 |
| ISOFIX Anchors | Yes | Yes |
| Surround View | No | Yes |
| ADAS | Level 2 | Level 2 |
| Lane Change Monitor | No | Yes |
When it comes to active safety features, the Elantra’s Level 2 ADAS stands out with a broader range of features, thanks to a more extensive sensor array and a 360-degree camera setup. The lane-change monitor displayed on the Elantra during lane shifts adds a valuable element for safe manoeuvring. On the other hand, while the Camry includes sufficient safety features, it falls slightly short in terms of a crash-avoidance active safety net because of a missing 360-degree camera feature.
Toyota Camry v/s Hyundai Elantra: Price
In the final consideration, the choice becomes clearer for buyers exploring these two premium sedans. As mentioned earlier, both the Camry and Elantra offer a variety of trims in both GCC and non-GCC spec, leading to fluctuating price ranges across different dealers.
Toyota Camry:
For those seeking a slightly larger sedan with powerful engine options, the Toyota Camry in the UAE is priced approximately between AED 105,000 for the base-spec 2.5L non-hybrid variant, reaching up to AED 143,000 for the top-spec Hybrid Limited variant.
Here are used Toyota Camry for sale in the UAE and new Toyota Camry for sale in the UAE.
Hyundai Elantra:
On the other hand, for buyers looking for an affordable premium sedan, the Hyundai Elantra’s base variant with a 1.6L non-hybrid engine costs around AED 76,000, while the top-spec 1.6L hybrid variant is available for approximately AED 95,000.
Here are used Hyundai Elantra for sale in the UAE and new Hyundai Elantra for sale in the UAE.
