2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2020 BMW 2 Series

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 used more liberally. 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. However, the rear design struggled to maintain the aesthetic of the two-door coupe, despite efforts with frameless doors and flared fenders. Inside, the Gran Coupe offered a modern cockpit with solid fit-and-finish, though not as elegant as some competitors. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe came with a range of standard features, including power-folding heated side mirrors and dual-zone automatic climate control, with options for a Premium Package and M Sport Package to enhance comfort and style.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid carried over the bold design introduced in the previous model year, standing out in the sedan market with its aggressive styling. While some found the catfish-like front end polarizing, it was undeniably distinctive. The test model featured a matte gray paint scheme, complemented by an integrated deck-lid spoiler and aerodynamic strakes in the taillights. Inside, the Sonata Hybrid offered a more conventional and refined cabin, with soft-touch surfaces and a modern, haptic bezel surrounding the vivid touchscreen infotainment system. The seats were comfortable and supportive, suitable for long trips, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space. The Sonata Hybrid was available in Blue, SEL, and Limited trims, with the Limited trim offering premium features like a solar panel roof, leather upholstery, and a larger touchscreen.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series 228i Gran Coupe 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, available in both front-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive configurations. While the engine was refined and provided solid power for city and backroad driving, there was noticeable turbo lag, making acceleration from a standstill less thrilling. The Drive Mode selector offered Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, with Sport mode enhancing the driving experience. The M235i variant offered more power with 301 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque. The steering in the 228i Gran Coupe was sharp and responsive, but the front-wheel-drive layout lacked the organic feel of a rear-wheel-drive car. The ride quality was firm, with minimal body roll in corners, but it struggled to absorb road imperfections, making it less suitable for areas with poor road conditions.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid combined a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and battery pack, delivering a combined 192 horsepower to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. The Limited trim featured a solar panel roof, adding about two miles per day to the driving range. The Sonata Hybrid offered solid acceleration, with quick off-the-line performance and enough power for highway driving. The Drive Mode toggle allowed drivers to select Eco, Sport, Custom, and Smart modes, with Smart mode adapting to driving behavior. The transition between battery-only and engine power was seamless, and the auto stop-start system was minimally intrusive. The Sonata Hybrid impressed with its refined driving dynamics, featuring light but precise steering and minimal body roll in turns. The brakes provided solid stopping power with a soft, refined pedal feel.

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 sedan and Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The 2 Series Coupe and Convertible offered slightly less cargo space, with the Convertible's capacity further reduced when the top was lowered.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid boasted 16 cubic feet of trunk space, matching the conventionally-powered Sonata and ranking among the larger trunks in the midsize hybrid sedan segment. The cabin provided ample legroom for front passengers and decent rear-seat space, accommodating four adults comfortably for a weekend trip. The sloping roofline resulted in a low rear door opening, requiring occupants to lower their heads when entering. Once inside, rear headroom was adequate for adults. Front passengers had access to cargo pockets in the doors and a decently-sized center console, with a tray at the bottom of the center stack for additional storage.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring touch functionality and Android Auto. It also offered wireless Apple CarPlay, enhancing convenience. The test model included a fully-digital instrument panel, with a customizable navigation display flanked by the tachometer and speedometer. The available head-up display (HUD) could also be personalized. BMW's infotainment system was user-friendly, with touch functionality and center console buttons for easy navigation.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system as standard, with the Limited trim upgrading to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and real-time traffic updates. The system supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though CarPlay only occupied two-thirds of the screen, leaving a customizable information panel on the remaining third. The touchscreen layout was intuitive, with crisp graphics on the larger screen. The stereo included a traditional volume knob, while haptic buttons were used for channel selection. The SEL and Limited trims offered a wireless charging pad, and the Limited included a head-up display (HUD). However, the HUD's adjustability was limited, potentially cutting off part of the image for taller drivers.

The 2020 BMW 2 Series came with standard safety features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, a backup camera, rain-sensing wipers, and a full array of airbags. Available safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic parking assistance, automatic high beams, and blind-spot monitoring. The driver-assist systems were seamless and customizable, with a button on the dash for quick access.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-follow assist, and a driver-attention monitor. The Limited trim added a head-up display, 360-degree surround-view parking monitor, and front and rear parking sensors. The alerts were informative without being intrusive, though occasional false positives occurred. The Sonata Hybrid also emitted a beeping noise when reversing and used blind-spot monitoring to detect oncoming traffic when exiting the vehicle. It earned a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.