2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional familial look, reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy, with a large, oddly-shaped grille that seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, and the standard synthetic Sensatec material didn't elevate the cabin's luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata evolved from its early days of mimicking the Honda Accord to developing a distinctive look. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for 2020, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. The interior was functional and spacious, with comfortable leather seats in the Limited trim. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black side mirrors, and N badging, transforming its look from mild to wild.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 330i with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a turbo inline-six in the M340i producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and were available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD). The M340i could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. Despite the impressive technical specs, the 330e's transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the overall driving experience lacked engagement.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a split personality. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, while a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder made 180 hp and 195 lb-ft. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line, with its 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine and eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, offered a sportier experience. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive (FWD). The Sonata provided a smooth ride, competent handling, and a serene cabin, making it a comfortable choice for daily driving.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan. Rear headroom was the best in the segment, and front headroom was above average. However, legroom was average, and rear-seat passengers might feel cramped. The gasoline models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's battery pack reduced it to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, while shoulder room was average. Rear-seat space was adequate for two adults, but a third passenger might feel cramped. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, holding a complete three-piece set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, standard on the Limited trim, allowed the car to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button on the key fob, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display (HUD). The infotainment system was user-friendly, with high-quality graphics and responsive controls. BMW offered multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim. The base SE had an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was easy, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower than the base system in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 3 Series. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came with a comprehensive safety package, even on the base trim. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Higher trims added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view monitor. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Sonata five stars for overall crash protection. The IIHS had not rated the 2022 Sonata, but the 2021 model received top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front crash prevention.