2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with its bold and distinctive design, a result of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language. The car featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, creating a unique and appealing look. A notable design element was the Z-shaped dent in the doors, which broke conventional design rules to give the Elantra a unique character. Available in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, the Elantra offered a range of options, including a hybrid powertrain for the SEL and Limited trims. Inside, the Elantra boasted a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and modern interior, particularly in the Limited or Hybrid Limited with its gray color scheme.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Impreza adopted a more conservative design approach compared to its predecessors. While it lacked distinctive Subaru identifiers, it maintained a handsome appearance with sleek headlights and taillights, a tapered front end, and subtle body scalloping. The Impreza Sport models featured specific styling touches, such as 18-inch alloy wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, the Impreza offered a refined driving experience. Inside, the Impreza's design was typical of compact cars, with a split dashboard housing the infotainment touchscreen. The Sport trim added contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered leather upholstery and LED headlights.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, each catering to different driving preferences. The standard Elantra SEL featured a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup provided adequate power for city driving but felt underpowered on highways. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though real-world mileage varied due to terrain. The Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 201 horsepower, offered a sportier driving experience with a manual or DCT transmission. The high-performance Elantra N, equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 276 horsepower, provided exhilarating performance with advanced features like an electronic limited-slip differential and customizable driving modes.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 2.0-liter boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. Most models featured a CVT, while a five-speed manual was available on select trims. The Impreza Sport offered model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for improved handling. While the Impreza provided a solid and refined ride, it lacked the engagement of some competitors. The Sport trim's suspension struck a balance between ride quality and handling, but the steering and engine power fell short of delivering a true driver's car experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver's seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Heated front seats were standard, with the Limited Hybrid adding ventilation. The rear seat provided ample legroom, though the backrest lacked upper back support. Storage was practical, with a 14.2-cubic-foot trunk and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. However, the Elantra lacked rear-seat air conditioning vents and USB ports, and some interior materials felt cheap.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both sedan and hatchback versions, though headroom was slightly below average. The sedan's trunk space was limited at 12.3 cubic feet, but the hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 55.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Impreza featured a 60/40 split-folding rear seat and standard roof rails on most hatch trims. Higher trims included an All-Weather Package with heated seats and mirrors, while the Limited added a power driver's seat and automatic climate control.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on SE, SEL, and N Line trims. The Limited trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, though it lost wireless smartphone integration. The system included a dynamic voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. A Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key were available, enhancing the Elantra's tech appeal.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto on base and Premium trims, while higher trims received an 8-inch screen. The Limited trim could be equipped with TomTom navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display provided additional information, though it seemed redundant. The Impreza's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large icons and easy access to important functions, though it lacked advanced tech features.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with structural enhancements for collision energy management. It came standard with SmartSense, Hyundai's suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional safety features included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Drive Assist, offering a high level of safety for a compact car.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It featured Subaru's EyeSight safety tech on CVT-equipped models, providing automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and more. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Impreza's safety credentials were strong, though its standard headlights received a lower rating.