2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan category, thanks to its Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing. Its sharp creases and dramatic angles gave it a distinctive and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to help the Elantra stand out and break conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra came in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with a hybrid powertrain option available for the SEL and Limited. Prices ranged from $19,650 to $25,450, excluding destination charges. The high-performance Elantra N, debuting early the following year, was expected to cost less than $34,000.

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 Elantra SEL with the Premium Package, however, had a drab black interior with glossy black plastic that was less appealing.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, had undergone significant updates over the years. The 2015 facelift gave it a modern and menacing look, while the cabin, though dated by modern standards, offered ease of use with its thick bezels and chunky buttons. The Charger came in various trims, including SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak. The SXT trim featured a V6 engine, power-adjustable front seats, rear parking sensors, cloth upholstery, a six-speaker stereo, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT trim added a rear spoiler, sport-tuned suspension, performance tires, and an upgraded infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen.

The R/T trim, the most affordable V8 option, included a performance suspension and upgraded tires, with a Harmon Kardon premium stereo system available. The R/T Scat Pack featured a larger V8, launch control, high-performance suspension, limited-slip rear differential, and Brembo performance brakes. The Hellcat Widebody, introduced in 2020, came with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine, SRT-tuned Bilstein suspension, and upgraded Brembo brakes. The Redeye and Jailbreak trims offered even more powerful versions of the Hellcat engine, with the Jailbreak pushing the supercharged V8 to an astonishing 807 hp.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, from the standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower to the high-performance Elantra N with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 276 horsepower. The Elantra SEL, priced at $25,015, featured a 2.0-liter engine paired with a CVT, delivering 31.4 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Limited Hybrid, priced at $29,095, used a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and an electric motor, achieving 42.2 mpg. The Elantra N Line, priced at $26,245, had a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and a sport-tuned suspension. The Elantra N, expected to cost around $34,000, offered a thrilling driving experience with its 276-horsepower engine, electronically controlled suspension, and performance-oriented features.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with the 3.6-liter V6 engine in the SXT and GT models, producing 292 to 300 horsepower. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the R/T Scat Pack came with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 generating 485 horsepower. The Charger SRT Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, delivered 717 horsepower, while the Redeye and Jailbreak trims offered 797 and 807 horsepower, respectively. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available on V6 models. The Hellcat and Redeye could sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 196 mph.

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. The rear seat provided ample legroom, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The Elantra’s trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the car lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers, and the trunk lid required manual closing.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, offered plenty of legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear seats. The high center console and performance bucket seats created an intimate experience for front-seat occupants. The Charger provided 16.5 cubic feet of trunk space, though the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger’s sports-car performance and four-door practicality made it a versatile option.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in SE, SEL, and N Line trims. The Limited trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, along with a 64-color ambient lighting system. The Limited Hybrid’s voice recognition system performed inconsistently, but a new Bose premium sound system impressed with its audio quality. Hyundai Digital Key allowed for remote access and control of the vehicle using an Android smartphone.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. The SXT and GT trims offered an optional 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard on higher trims. Both screens included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While not the most advanced in terms of technology, the Charger’s blend of conventional controls and modern features provided a straightforward and effective user experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came standard with Hyundai’s SmartSense 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, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist, offering a high level of safety and refinement.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, however, showed its age in terms of safety features. Standard equipment included a backup camera and rear parking sensors, with optional features like forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The backup camera’s grainy image and the lack of standard advanced safety features highlighted the Charger’s outdated safety technology.