2020 BMW 2 Series vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was a departure from the traditional two-door coupe design, adopting a four-door layout with a sloping roofline. This change aligned with a broader trend among German automakers, where the term "coupe" was redefined to include vehicles with a sleek, tapering roof. Despite this shift, the 2 Series Gran Coupe maintained some of the brand's signature styling cues, such as the angular twin-kidney grille and swooping headlights reminiscent of the larger 8 Series. However, the rear design struggled to capture the same aesthetic appeal, with awkward window trim and visible pillars. Inside, the Gran Coupe offered a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though it lacked the elegance of some competitors. The model was available in various trims, with the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe featuring a range of standard and optional features, including a digital instrument panel and premium packages for enhanced comfort and style.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold, geometric styling from the previous year's redesign, setting the stage for the upcoming 2021 model. The Elantra's angular design elements, such as the headlights and fog lights, were accentuated by a black paint job, creating a striking visual contrast with the chrome detailing. Inside, the Elantra's interior was updated to offer a more upscale appearance, with silver trim and leather upholstery in the Limited trim. Despite the improvements, the presence of hard plastics reminded occupants of its mainstream compact car status. The Elantra provided comfortable seating for four adults, with a fifth seat available for short trips. The trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and thoughtful touches like a trunk lid grab handle added convenience.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive, was powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering either front-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive. While the engine delivered solid power for city and backroad driving, it suffered from noticeable turbo lag, making initial acceleration less thrilling. The Gran Coupe featured a Drive Mode selector with Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, with Sport mode providing a more engaging driving experience. However, the front-wheel-drive layout lacked the organic feel of the rear-wheel-drive Coupe and Convertible models. The Gran Coupe's handling was sharp, but it struggled to absorb road imperfections, making it less suitable for areas with rough roads.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of engine options, starting with a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT). This CVT replaced the previous six-speed automatic, contributing to a price increase for the base SE trim. The Elantra Eco model featured a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 128 horsepower and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, offering improved torque and fuel efficiency. The Elantra Sport trim boasted a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower and an independent rear suspension for enhanced driving dynamics. Despite the new CVT's promise of improved efficiency, real-world testing showed a lower-than-expected average of 29.3 mpg. The Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, but the Sport trim's independent suspension provided a more enjoyable driving experience.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered supportive and comfortable front seats, with ample legroom for the driver and front passenger. However, this came at the expense of rear-seat legroom, making the second row suitable only for occasional use. The cockpit layout was straightforward, with easy-to-locate climate controls, though the cupholders and center console were on the smaller side. The Gran Coupe provided 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, surpassing competitors like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The Coupe and Convertible variants offered slightly less cargo space, with the Convertible's capacity further reduced when the top was lowered.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra was among the roomier compact cars, comfortably accommodating four adults, with a fifth seat available for short trips. The Limited trim featured power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest for added comfort. All Elantra models came with a dual-zone automatic climate control system, though rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents. Interior storage was well-proportioned for a compact car, and the trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, comparable to some midsize sedans. The inclusion of a trunk lid grab handle added convenience for closing the trunk.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display featuring touch functionality and Android Auto. It also offered wireless Apple CarPlay, enhancing convenience for smartphone users. The fully-digital instrument panel displayed navigation information and allowed for personalization. The available head-up display (HUD) could also be customized. BMW's infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured a standard touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and a USB port. The base SE trim had a 5-inch screen, while the SEL trim upgraded to a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the touchscreen size to 8 inches and included navigation and additional services. The infotainment system was easy to use, with shortcut buttons and knobs for quick access to functions. The Infinity sound system impressed with its sound quality for a compact car.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series included standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and a backup camera. Available features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable, providing alerts without being distracting.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with Hyundai Smart Sense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Starting with SEL trim, the Elantra added blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Limited and Sport trims featured full LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Ultimate Package added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with full LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion during side-impact tests.