2021 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out with its Sensuous Sportiness design language, featuring Parametric surfacing that created a distinctive look with sharp creases and dramatic angles. The Z-shaped dent in the doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to break conventional automotive design rules and give the car a unique character. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trims, ranging from SE to Limited, with prices between $19,650 and $25,450. The high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost less than $34,000, was set to debut with serious power and Nurburgring-tuned handling.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly favored for its modern and upscale look, with light gray seats and trim contrasting against the black cabin. The gray color also helped hide cheaper plastic panels, and the gray stitched fabric door panel inserts added a Scandinavian touch. The Elantra SEL with the Premium Package, however, had a drab black interior with glossy black plastic that was less appealing.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional familial look, resembling a smaller version of the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. However, the G20 3 Series appeared stuffy compared to the iconic E30, with a big, oddly-shaped grille that looked out of place on the smaller sedan. The M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers added some flair, but these were extras bundled with the optional M Sport trim package. The standard Sport Line trim package came with 18-inch wheels.

The interior design was nice but let down by unimpressive materials. The test car had as much plastic trim as a basic economy car, with Ash wood trim that looked fake. Leather upholstery was optional, with synthetic Sensatec material standard. The optional M heated steering wheel looked out of place in the conservatively styled interior.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain combinations, including the high-performance Elantra N. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT, provided fine power around town but felt gutless on the highway. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and offered better fuel efficiency, though it fell short of EPA estimates in mountainous driving. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 201 horsepower, was fun to drive with its sport tuning and manual transmission. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 276 horsepower, offered a thrilling driving experience with its N performance configuration and electronically controlled suspension.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 330i, producing 255 horsepower; a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 288 horsepower; and a turbo inline-six in the M340i, producing 382 horsepower. All powertrains were available with RWD or xDrive AWD and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The M340i could do zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the 330i took 5.6 seconds. The 330e matched the 330i's acceleration but had a clunky transition from electric to gasoline power. The 3 Series chassis provided a comfortable ride and excellent handling, but the driving experience felt disconnected and less engaging than past models.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Heated front seats were standard, with the Limited Hybrid also offering ventilated front cushions. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. Storage space included dual-stage adjustable cupholders and a 14.2-cubic-foot trunk with a 60/40-split folding rear seat. However, the Elantra lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers, and the trunk lid required manual closing.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan, with the best rear headroom in the segment and above-average front headroom. Legroom was average, and shoulder room was less generous than the Acura TLX. Gasoline models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid's battery pack reduced this to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach to maximize space, though a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured traditional instrumentation with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, offering a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. The Limited Hybrid's voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a Hyundai spokesperson demonstrated better performance in another car. A new Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key were also available.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, including an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models had both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster and navigation, with a head-up display available. The system was responsive and easy to use, with multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls. Some features felt gimmicky but were optional, allowing users to choose their preferred control method.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, automatic high-beam headlights, and a driver attention warning system. Additional features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, Rear Occupant Alert, and Safe Exit Warning. Upgrades included cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests but mixed headlight scores. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 model. Standard driver-assist features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Driving Assistant Professional Package added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automated lane centering, stop-and-go function, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant, and Active Side Collision Avoidance. A lower-level Driving Assistant Package included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, with a parking-assist package also available.