2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked imagery of majestic marine life, specifically the humpback whales witnessed up close on a whale-watching boat out of Provincetown, Massachusetts. The car’s design elements—lidded headlights, a curvaceous hood, wide lower air intakes, and a prominent grille—combined to give the vehicle an aquatic, almost creature-like appearance. Despite a high starting price of $40,750 and rising significantly with options, the 3 Series' charm and its sheer driving pleasure managed to justify the investment. The M340i trim, in particular, was gloriously engaging to drive, reflecting BMW's commitment to the ultimate driving experience.

Interior personalization was abundant, with various color schemes and materials available to suit individual tastes. The luxurious off-white Ivory leather in my test car contrasted dramatically with the black cabin and an elegant $1,950 Tanzanite Blue exterior. The interior felt purposeful, showcasing BMW’s enhanced attention to quality, which made the car's price tags more palatable.

Contrasting sharply, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra adopted Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, its aesthetic defined by sharp creases and dramatic angles, making it impossible to confuse with any other compact sedan. One of the most eye-catching features was the Z-shaped dent in its doors, designed to give the Elantra a unique character and break conventional automotive design rules. The car's styling grew more appealing with the increase in trim levels, from the base SE up to the Limited, with prices ranging from $19,650 to $25,450.

The dashboard of the Elantra was driver-focused with an angled passenger grip that visually separated the driver’s space from the passenger’s. The Limited and Hybrid Limited trims offered the most appealing interiors, with light gray seats and cleverly integrated gray accents lending a Scandinavian touch of modernity. The Elantra's upscale design and materials made it a pleasant place to spend time.

The previous-generation BMW 3 Series drew mixed reviews due to its shift from hydraulic to electrically assisted steering, which initially left enthusiasts wanting more. However, significant structural and suspension updates in the newer model restored the 3 Series to its former glory. The M340i variant featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, coupled with BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, variable sport steering, and robust M Sport brakes, transformed the M340i into a joy to drive.

The standard 8-speed automatic transmission might have disappointed purists who prefer stick shifts, but its launch-control system enabled 0-60 mph acceleration in 4.1 seconds, highlighting the vehicle's performance capabilities. The automatic was so well-calibrated that most drivers would find it commendable, if not preferable, especially in traffic-laden urban environments.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra showcased a variety of powertrain options, each with distinct performance characteristics. The standard SEL model came with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine delivering 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT that mimicked traditional step-gears to improve responsiveness. However, this powertrain felt underwhelming on highways, though it was nimble in city conditions.

The Elantra Hybrid, on the other hand, utilized a more sophisticated setup with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, an electric motor, and a six-speed DCT, delivering an efficient and pleasant drive. The hybrid achieved decent fuel economy, hitting 42.2 mpg in mixed driving conditions, though it fell short of EPA estimates in mountainous regions.

For driving enthusiasts, the Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 201 horsepower, and the high-performance Elantra N, which offered a thrilling 276 horsepower, were the stars. The N Line featured a slick-shifting manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension, while the Elantra N provided sublime handling, powerful acceleration, and a customizable driving experience via an array of performance settings.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured simple yet supportive front seats that held drivers comfortably during spirited drives and long journeys. Despite the awkward rear-seat entry and exit, the interior proved to be exceptionally comfortable. High-quality leather, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel enhanced its appeal, although the lack of ventilated seats was a drawback during hot weather. Storage space was notably generous for a BMW, with a trunk capacity of 17 cubic feet, although its narrow design made it less practical than other family sedans.

In comparison, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra felt spacious enough to qualify as a midsize car according to the EPA. With a focus on practicality, the Elantra featured a height-adjustable driver’s seat, a tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and, in higher trims, heated and ventilated front seats. Despite the removal of the height-adjustable front passenger seat and the hard plastic upper door panels, the Elantra’s rear-seat legroom was class-leading. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, supplemented by a 60/40-split folding rear seat for improved utility. Some trims also included a hands-free trunk lid release, enhancing everyday usability.

BMW’s iDrive system in the 2020 3 Series had evolved significantly from its inception, becoming highly user-friendly. The system offered multiple interaction methods: a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, gesture control, and traditional console buttons. The widescreen infotainment screen integrated well into the dashboard, offering intuitive menu navigation and seamless smartphone-like operation. Gesture control, while somewhat gimmicky, provided a novel way to interact with the system, and the “Hey, BMW” voice assistant was notably responsive and useful.

In the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, technology varied significantly by trim level. The SE, SEL, and N Line models came with traditional instrumentation and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Stepping up to the Limited trim brought a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system integrated with a digital instrumentation screen, reminiscent of more premium brands like Mercedes-Benz. This trim also included ambient lighting, dynamic voice recognition, and the option for a premium Bose sound system. Hyundai’s Digital Key feature allowed Android users to unlock and start the car via their smartphones, adding a layer of modern convenience.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series could be equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) through two optional Driving Assistance packages. While the systems were accurate and useful during brief tests, some lacked the expected smoothness. Despite this, the lane-keeping assist’s abruptness seemed to align with BMW’s ethos, pushing drivers to remain engaged. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights, ensuring high levels of occupant protection.

Hyundai’s 2021 Elantra came standard with SmartSense, a suite of ADAS that included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and more. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added sophisticated features like cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist, showcasing Hyundai’s commitment to safety and driver assistance technology.