2020 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a storied reputation for quality, reliability, and value, qualities that made it stand out even more than it needed to. In the 1990s, Camrys were almost seen as indestructible, with engineering shared with the Lexus brand enhancing its special status. However, recent years saw the Camry facing criticism for seeming cheap and outdated compared to competitors like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. But this current generation saw renewed attention to detail, raising the car's overall quality and appeal.

The styling was boldly expressive, marking it as the sportiest Camry to date. While not every Camry sported the TRD model's huge wing and aerodynamic body kit, the bold front fascia and taut lines genuinely conveyed its sporty credentials. Design cues influenced by BMW were evident, particularly in character lines across the doors and the upturned kink of the C-pillar. With 14 exterior color options, including an available black roof, this Camry aimed to be fashionable.

Inside, Toyota utilized uniformly nice materials that worked with the sweeping design of the driver-focused dashboard, making even the lower trim levels feel premium. The TRD model featured red trim accents, including bright red seatbelts that felt at home in a Porsche or Ferrari. High-end trim levels with leather and wood made it comparable to an entry-level Lexus, despite being a mainstream sedan with a starting price of just $25,380. The renewed focus on sportiness and quality set this generation of the Camry on the right track once again.

In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra set itself apart from other compact sedans with its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric detailing inside and out. The car's sharp creases and dramatic angles created a distinctive and appealing appearance. The unique Z-shaped dent in the doors, designed by senior designer Davis Lee, helped the Elantra stand out and broke conventional automotive design rules, imbuing it with unique character.

The Elantra's appearance improved with trim levels, coming in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with an optional hybrid powertrain for the SEL and Limited. Prices ranged from $19,650 to $25,450, with Hyundai expecting around 10% of buyers to opt for the hybrid powertrain. The high-performance Elantra N, debuting early the following year, promised substantial power and Nurburgring-tuned handling at a price projected to be under $34,000.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console with an angled passenger cornering grip defining driver and passenger areas. The interior quality and tech improved with higher trim levels. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray offered a modern and upscale look with light gray elements contrasting against an otherwise black cabin. Overall, the Elantra provided a modern, stylish, and enjoyable driving environment.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered four distinct powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with front-wheel drive (FWD), the same engine with all-wheel drive (AWD), a FWD 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid powertrain. The 3.5-liter V6 made 301 horsepower and provided a smooth, powerful driving experience, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine gave the Camry luxury aspirations, particularly in the XLE trim, but it wasn't as exciting in the TRD package despite a dual exhaust system.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder produced 203 hp (206 in XSE trim), with the eight-speed automatic transmission making the most of it. Four-cylinder Camrys were lighter than V6 models, providing a more agile steering feel, particularly in the sporty XSE trim. The TRD version featured a tuned and lowered suspension, stiffer ride, beefed-up brakes, and high-performance tires. AWD, available with the 2.5-liter engine, could send up to 50% of the engine's 184 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. The front-drive Camry had an EPA combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg in XLE and XSE trims, dropping to 28 mpg with AWD, and front-drive V6 models managed just 26 mpg.

In the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, a variety of powertrains provided different driving experiences. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine made 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup returned 31.4 mpg in combined driving and was adequate for around-town use but felt underpowered for highway merging and passing.

The Elantra Hybrid used a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, combined with an electric motor and a 1.32-kWh lithium-ion battery, making 139 horsepower and paired with a six-speed dry dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Hybrid achieved an EPA rating of up to 54 mpg in combined driving, though real-world numbers varied based on driving conditions.

The sporty Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dry DCT. It included a full sport suspension tune, quicker steering, and larger brakes, making it fun to drive. However, the star of the lineup was the Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or an eight-speed wet DCT. With advanced suspension and braking systems, the Elantra N delivered exhilarating performance and handled like a sports car in mountain driving scenarios.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was designed to be user-friendly, making it easy to drive even for first-time users. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room from the previous generation, and the ergonomic layout ensured easy access to essential controls. However, the rear seat suffered from reduced legroom and overall passenger volume compared to competitors like the Honda Accord. The trunk space was also less at 15.1 cubic feet, roughly equivalent to that of a Honda Civic.

The addition of AWD to the Camry did not compromise the trunk or passenger space, thanks to modifications in the floor structure and fuel tank, along with the switch to an electronic parking brake.

In comparison, the 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by the EPA and offered a roomy and comfortable interior. The driver's seat was height-adjustable and, along with the tilt/telescopic steering wheel, made it easy to find a comfortable driving position. Front seat heating was standard across all tested models, with higher trims including ventilated front seats. One drawback was the absence of height adjustment for the front passenger’s seat, which had been a feature in the previous generation.

The Elantra boasted best-in-class rear-seat legroom, almost comparable to Hyundai's larger Sonata sedan. However, the backrest shape and angle could have been more comfortable, and there were no air conditioning vents or USB charging ports for rear passengers. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of space, slightly less than the Camry, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Some models also featured a hands-free trunk lid release.

The 2020 Toyota Camry recently added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month trial. The standard infotainment system, however, felt outdated with low-resolution graphics and subpar navigation software but was functional with quick touch response and ergonomic hard buttons. The base trim levels featured a 7-inch screen, upgradable to an 8-inch screen. There was one USB-A port for phone usage and additional USB-A charging ports in the center console, with an optional Qi wireless charging pad available. Higher trims offered a 7-inch multi-information display between the speedometer and tachometer, with an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in SE, SEL, and N Line trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The N Line also included wireless smartphone charging. Limited trims elevated the tech game with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen.

This upgrade included navigation, 64-color ambient cabin lighting, full or split-screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality (though not wireless), and a natural voice recognition system. The Bose premium sound system offered high-quality audio, and the Hyundai Digital Key feature turned an Android smartphone into a digital key, allowing remote access and control.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of technologies with pre-collision system, emergency braking, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning with steering assist, and automatic high beams. Included was a one-year trial of Safety Connect, featuring emergency assistance and stolen vehicle locator, with optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Camry also included 10 airbags, stability control, and a backup camera, with higher trims offering a Bird's Eye View 360-degree camera system. The NHTSA awarded it a five-star crash test rating, and the IIHS gave it a Top Safety Pick+ rating.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra included Hyundai SmartSense, covering forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention warning system. Additional safety features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Advanced options included cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. This Level 2 ADAS provided smooth and refined driving assistance, impressive for its class.