2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out unmistakably with its Sensuous Sportiness design language, featuring Parametric surfacing both inside and out. This design, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles, made the Elantra a distinctive and appealing compact sedan. One of the most eye-catching elements was the Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a bold design choice meant to help the Elantra break conventional automotive styling rules and provide it with a unique character. Various trims, including SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, allowed buyers to pick levels of luxury and technological features, with prices ranging from $19,650 to $25,450, excluding destination charges. A high-performance Elantra N was anticipated to debut, aiming for a sub-$34,000 price range. Inside, the Elantra embraced a driver-focused design with a center console and dashboard angled towards the driver. Higher trims showcased deluxe interiors, with the Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray offering a particularly modern vibe. The light gray seats contrasted starkly with the otherwise black interior, achieving a sophisticated look. This version also hid cheaper plastic panels better, contributing to an overall upscale feel. In contrast, the Elantra SEL with the Premium Package presented a drabber, black interior with leatherette door inserts that were neither as attractive nor as high quality. Hatchback designs had seen oscillating popularity, and with many automakers moving away from the format, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to fill that gap robustly. Sold from an Indiana factory, it shared its design from the front doors forward with the new Civic sedan, albeit with unique grille patterns and wheel designs. From a rear-quarter view, the Civic hatchback looked well-proportioned and resolved some visual weight issues that small hatchbacks often exhibited. However, from other angles, it retained a stubby rear design. Stepping inside, the Civic hatchback shared its dashboard with the sedan but introduced more advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment in the Sport Touring trim. The metal honeycomb detailing that hid the air vents added a touch of class, although the CVT shifter operation remained a bit janky. Prices ranged from $22,900 to $29,400, with transmission choices not affecting the cost, although special paint like Sonic Gray Pearl added an extra $395.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain combinations, influencing its performance ratings. The standard engine, a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder delivering 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, was paired with a CVT and provided an average yet competent driving experience. In our tests, it returned 31.4 mpg in mostly city driving, though EPA figures suggested up to 35 mpg combined. Despite its responsive CVT, the standard engine felt underpowered for highway merging and produced noticeable noise under heavy acceleration. The rear suspension on non-hybrid models also opted for a beam axle instead of an independent multi-link setup, though it was finely tuned to mitigate traditional downsides. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with electric components that together produced 139 horsepower. This setup, which included a six-speed DCT, delivered better fuel efficiency than the standard engine, achieving 42.2 mpg in our mountainous test despite being rated for up to 54 mpg combined. The sportier Elantra N Line came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine pushing out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. We only drove this setup briefly but found it to be engaging, especially with its manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension. However, we achieved only 23.1 mpg, far from the 28 mpg EPA rating. The ultimate performance came from the high-performance Elantra N, equipped with a 276-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. This model featured adaptive suspension, performance brakes, and an array of customizable driving modes. Our test drive in the Elantra N demonstrated its remarkable handling and power, particularly on twisty canyon roads, although its fuel economy hovered at 19.4 mpg. The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with two engines. The base LX and Sport trims housed a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with either a CVT or a six-speed manual in the Sport trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring variants featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, offering better performance particularly as peak torque was available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The engine harmonized well with the CVT, minimizing the characteristic drone and providing effective, though not sporty, acceleration. Paddle shifters on the Sport and Sport Touring trims added a layer of engagement, simulating traditional gear shifts. The Sport Touring’s six-speed manual transmission was a delight, with short throws and smooth gear engagement. Suspension tuning aimed for a balance between everyday comfort and moderate sportiness. Though it excelled in daily driving, its all-season tires and non-performance-oriented suspension revealed limitations during spirited runs, especially on twisty roads where the brakes showed signs of fading. Overall, while the Civic hatchback's turbocharged engine provided decent performance, those seeking more spirited driving dynamics would likely find more satisfaction in the forthcoming Civic Si or Civic Type R.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was spacious enough to qualify as a midsize car by EPA standards. Both front seats offered height adjustment and an easy-to-use tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Heated front seats were standard across trims, with the Limited Hybrid adding ventilation as well. However, the elimination of height adjustment for the passenger seat was a minor drawback. The rear seat boasted best-in-class legroom, ample foot space, and a high bottom cushion for good leg support, though the backrest shape left something to be desired. Unfortunately, rear-seat amenities lacked air conditioning vents and USB ports. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, enhanced by a 60/40-split folding rear seat, although it lacked a grab handle for closing. Some models featured a hands-free trunk lid release, adding a touch of convenience. Designed for versatility, the Civic hatchback provided a roomy trunk with 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space, along with an innovative two-piece cargo shade. The back seat, which offered a 60/40-split folding design, further amplified its utility. However, a non-flat load floor was a downside for those looking for maximum cargo flexibility. Passenger comfort was notable, especially in the driver’s seat with eight-way power adjustment and heated features. The front passenger’s seat, though power-adjustable, lacked a height adjustment, which would have provided better ergonomics. Rear passengers, while having sufficient legroom, missed out on air conditioning vents, highlighting a compromise in rear-seat comfort. However, they did appreciate the provided smartphone charging ports. In terms of seating options, the lower trims featured black fabric, while the higher-tiers boasted black leather upholstery. Automatic climate control was standard, with dual-zone control reserved for EX-L and Sport Touring trims.

The Elantra came with a range of tech features across its trims. Lower trims like SE, SEL, and N Line featured traditional instrumentation with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This setup included volume and tuning knobs, shortcut buttons, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although the N Line added wireless smartphone charging. In the Limited trim, Hyundai upped the ante with a 10.25-inch touchscreen integrated with navigation and a matching digital instrumentation screen. The system, encased under a single glass panel, mimicked higher-end vehicles like Mercedes-Benz. Despite losing wireless smartphone integration, it offered full-screen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ambient lighting, and dynamic voice recognition. A new Bose premium sound system was an attractive feature in higher trims, providing impressive audio quality. Additionally, Hyundai Digital Key allowed Android users to lock, unlock, and start the car wirelessly, facilitating temporary access sharing. All Civic hatchbacks were equipped with new infotainment systems. The base trims (LX, Sport, and EX-L) featured a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs for power and volume, complemented by wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The top-tier Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration, navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. This version also kept the power/volume knob and added tuning buttons underneath, addressing previous user feedback. Digital instrumentation was standard across trims, with a basic 7-inch screen on lower trims and a comprehensive 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring. This setup displayed vital information, including system statuses and lighting notifications, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured a new platform engineered to distribute collision energy away from the cabin. Every trim came standard with SmartSense, Hyundai’s suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warnings. Additionally, a blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, rear occupant alert, and safe exit warning were standard. Higher trim levels included additional safety features like cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist, Hyundai’s Level 2 ADAS, which provided smooth, accurate, and refined operation. The Honda Civic Hatchback came with Honda Sensing, the brand’s comprehensive safety suite. Standard features included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The updated system offered better precision and added new functionalities like low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist for CVT models. However, these features were not available with the manual transmission. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were reserved for the EX-L and Sport Touring trims only. CVT-equipped Sport Touring models also received Low-Speed Braking Control, which helped prevent collisions at low speeds. The 2022 Civic featured new frontal-impact airbags designed to reduce head and brain injuries, alongside upgraded Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) for better crash energy management. These enhancements earned the Civic hatchback a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS.