2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Honda Civic

Reflecting on the evolution of the Honda Civic, dramatic shifts in its design took place roughly every decade. The 2021 model didn't break this tradition, maintaining the bold styling that first appeared in 2016. It was available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R forms. However, for 2021, Honda discontinued the two-door coupe and temporarily halted the sporty Civic Si. We reviewed the Touring sedan, which was dressed in Cosmic Blue Metallic, adding $395 to its price, totaling $29,690, including destination.

This generation of the Civic, while polarizing, had grown familiar on American roads. Its design was one you either loved or hated, with its over-a-million units sold affirming its widespread acceptance. The Touring trim added visual appeal with its 18-inch wheels and sophisticated color palette, though opinions on its aesthetic could vary based on lighting and angles.

Inside, although the initial interior design was daring in 2016, by 2021 it felt slightly dated. It featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing but was limited by a maximal infotainment screen size of 7 inches. The Civic’s role as a trend-setter in its tenth generation was undeniable, maintaining a high standard of adventurous design and functionality.

Historically, the Hyundai Elantra had a reputation for blending into traffic, lacking the visual impact to capture buyers' attention. That was until the 2021 redesign transformed the Elantra inside and out. The seventh-generation model boasted a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette that echoed the midsize Sonata but with unique character. Notably, the "Z" shape formed by the creases and folds on the doors distinguished it from competitors.

The Elantra's interior also saw significant upgrades. Material quality and design took a step above the norm for compact cars, although some noted hard plastics scattered throughout. Standard features and generous tech solutions balanced any material shortfalls. The 2022 Elantra came in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with additional Hybrid options.

Our test vehicle, a Scarlet Red Pearl Elantra N Line with a black interior, featured sporty styling elements such as N Line branding, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals contributed to a sporty yet functional cabin.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two main engine choices. The base trims, LX and Sport, came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. This combination was satisfactory unless compared to the turbocharged variant.

The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine available in the EX, EX-L, and Touring trims delivered 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm, significantly enhancing the Civic's performance. Although the engine was spunky and the suspension sophisticated, the CVT could detract from the driving experience due to its droning and ineffective paddle shifters.

Despite these shortcomings, the CVT contributed to excellent fuel economy. We recorded an average of 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile loop, surpassing the EPA's 33 mpg combined estimate. The combination of ride quality, handling, and fuel efficiency, especially with the turbocharged engine, made the 2021 Civic a compelling choice.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a trio of powertrain options across its trim levels. The standard engine in SE, SEL, and Limited trims was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, mated to a CVT with Shift Control Strategy for smoother shifts. This setup proved adequate for most drivers, though hard acceleration revealed its limitations.

Fuel economy was a highlight in the Elantra Hybrid, which combined a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) added to the driving pleasure, though the average buyer might not notice this difference.

The N Line trim brought sportiness with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, delivering 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It offered a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. Our test vehicle had the DCT, which despite some clunkiness at low rpm, provided crisp and timely shifts. Drive Mode Select added versatility, allowing drivers to toggle between Normal, Sport, and Smart modes for varied driving experiences.

The N Line also featured sport-tuned suspension and steering, enhancing its dynamic performance. The multi-link rear suspension, larger front brake rotors, and sportier tires combined to deliver a well-balanced and engaging drive, albeit with some compromises in seat comfort over long distances.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan's low ground clearance and seating position demanded some effort to enter and exit, but once inside, comfort was assured. The driver's seat provided eight-way power adjustment, though the passenger seat lacked height adjustment.

The Civic's rear seats were spacious and supportive, easily accommodating adults, though the absence of rear air conditioning vents could make long, hot drives uncomfortable. The front center console offered exceptional practicality with various storage options, including large cupholders and a deep center bin.

The Civic’s trunk space was impressive at 15.1 cubic feet for most trims, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra balanced stylish design with practicality. Its compact dimensions facilitated maneuverability in tight spaces, while the clear instrumentation and controls enhanced usability. The N Line's low seating position posed a slight challenge for ingress and egress but offered excellent visibility once inside.

The Elantra proved family-friendly, comfortably accommodating three children on long trips. However, taller adults might find the rear headroom constrained due to the sloping roofline, although legroom was ample. Cargo space was 14.2 cubic feet, adequate for most needs despite being slightly smaller than rivals. The trunk's narrow opening and internal support arms required careful packing.

The Elantra's moonroof generated a noticeable droning noise when fully open, a minor flaw that detracted from the overall experience. Additionally, the lack of USB ports and rear air vents caused minor inconveniences for back-seat passengers.

The Civic’s technology offerings were modest, revealing its age. The base LX trim provided a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a low-powered USB port. The Sport trim improved with a 7-inch touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and additional connected services.

The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim featured navigation, voice recognition, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. Despite these upgrades, the Civic’s voice recognition system needed specific prompts, reducing its user-friendliness compared to smartphone integration.

In contrast, the Hyundai Elantra stood out with its generous tech features. The base SE trim offered an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and connected services.

The Limited trims boasted a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a Bose premium audio system, a fully digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging. However, only wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger screen.

The Elantra also introduced the Hyundai Digital Key, allowing keyless access and operation via an Android smartphone, enhancing convenience for tech-savvy drivers.

Every 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, lane centering assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a multi-angle reversing camera.

Available starting with the EX trim, LaneWatch provided a camera feed for the right-side blind spot but posed several practical challenges. Despite lacking traditional radar-based blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert, the Civic still offered a comprehensive safety package.

The 2021 Civic achieved a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for the Touring trim and earned five-star ratings from NHTSA for overall crash protection, front crash protection, side crash protection, and rollover resistance.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in safety features with its standard SmartSense suite. This included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warning, lane centering assistance, driver attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Warning.

Higher trims added intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. These features performed reliably, with no false alarms during testing.

The Elantra received five-star overall ratings from NHTSA and “Good” ratings across all IIHS crash tests. Only the lower trims with halogen headlights received a “Marginal” rating, while the LED-equipped Limited trim secured a “Good” rating.