2020 BMW 2 Series vs 2021 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 was part of a broader trend among German automakers, where the term "coupe" was redefined to include vehicles with a sleek, tapering roofline, regardless of the number of doors. The Gran Coupe shared its platform with the BMW X1 and X2, as well as the Mini Clubman and Countryman, featuring a front-wheel-drive bias. The front end of the 2 Series Gran Coupe echoed the styling of the larger 8 Series, with swooping headlights and an angular twin-kidney grille, giving it a modern and athletic appearance. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic of the two-door coupe, with awkward window trim and evident pillars between the doors. Inside, the Gran Coupe boasted a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though it lacked the elegance of Mercedes-Benz interiors.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out with its bold and distinctive design, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles. The Z-shaped dent in the car's doors was a controversial design cue, intended to break conventional automotive design rules and give the Elantra a unique character. The Elantra was available in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with a hybrid powertrain option for the SEL and Limited. The interior of the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trim levels offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly appealing, with light gray seats and trim contrasting against the black cabin, creating a modern and upscale look. The Elantra's interior was spacious, with best-in-class rear-seat legroom, though it lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive, was equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This power was delivered through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or xDrive all-wheel drive. The engine was refined, providing solid power for city and backroad driving, though it suffered from turbo lag, making acceleration from a standstill less exciting. The Gran Coupe featured a Drive Mode selector with Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, with Sport mode enhancing the 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 with road imperfections, making it less suitable for areas with poor road conditions.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including the standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, an electric motor, and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 139 horsepower. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, delivered 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The Elantra's handling varied across trims, with the N Line and N models offering sportier driving experiences. The Elantra Hybrid impressed with its instant torque and fuel efficiency, though it fell short of EPA estimates in mountainous driving conditions. The Elantra N provided a thrilling driving experience, with responsive powertrain and handling, making it a driving enthusiast's dream.

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 models offered slightly less cargo space, with the Convertible's trunk capacity reduced when the top was lowered.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offering a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The Elantra provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom, with ample leg clearance and foot space for adults. However, the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support, and the Elantra did not offer air conditioning vents or USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers. The trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat enhancing utility. Some versions included a hands-free trunk lid release, though the Elantra lacked a grab handle inside the trunk.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. The system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation. The test model included a fully-digital instrument panel with customizable navigation display and a head-up display. The infotainment system was praised for its ease of use, with touch functionality being a welcome addition.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in SE, SEL, and N Line trims. The Limited trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, both housed under a single piece of glass. This setup included a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. The Limited Hybrid's voice recognition system was inconsistent, but an active Blue Link subscription improved performance. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key, allowing smartphone-based access and control.

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, enhancing safety without being distracting.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It featured SmartSense, Hyundai's suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Upgrades included cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist, offering impressive smoothness and accuracy.