2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with 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's interior varied in quality depending on the trim level, with the Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray offering a modern and upscale look. The light gray seats and trim contrasted starkly against the otherwise black cabin, hiding some of the cheaper plastic panels and providing a Scandinavian feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class maintained its sleek and elegant design from the previous year’s complete makeover. The S-Class, Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan, featured a long distance between the front axle and the dashboard, adding to its elegance. The exterior was sleek, with a proud Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament. Inside, the S-Class boasted a waterfall of open-pore wood trim and a 12.8-inch touchscreen in the center stack. The 12.3-inch digital instrument panel was separate from the infotainment screen, allowing for distinct functions. The cabin was dressed in high-quality materials, meticulously fitted and assembled, providing a luxurious and comfortable environment.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options. The standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra SEL with this engine returned 31.4 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Limited Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine and an electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and achieved 42.2 mpg. The sporty Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering a fun driving experience. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine generating 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, provided an exhilarating drive with its electronically controlled suspension and performance tires.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, available in S500 and S580 models, featured powerful engines with EQ Boost technology. The S500 had a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine producing 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque from the electric motor. The S580 had a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD. The S500 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds. The S500 delivered up to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway, and the S580 achieved 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway. The S-Class handled smoothly and responsively, making it suitable for both commuting and weekend driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior. The driver’s seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, making it easy to get comfortable. The Limited Hybrid included heated and ventilated front seats. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The Elantra had a 14.2-cubic-foot trunk and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, it lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled in interior space and comfort. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof. The trunk offered 13.8 cubic feet of space. The cabin featured six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. The driver and front passenger had active multicontour seats with massage, memory, lumbar support, and comfort headrests. The Luxury Line added a heated steering wheel, heated armrests, and rear-seat heating. The Executive Line, exclusive to the S580, upgraded the rear seats and included a high-end rear-seat entertainment system. The S-Class also had soft-close doors for added convenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in SE, SEL, and N Line trims, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Limited trim had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen. This upgrade included a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. The Limited Hybrid’s voice recognition system performed inconsistently, but a Hyundai spokesperson demonstrated better results in a different car. A new Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key were also available.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen interface for the MBUX infotainment system, offering superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided crisp imagery and customizable visual themes. The optional 3D instrument cluster added depth and visual interest. The standard augmented video for navigation and available augmented reality head-up display enhanced the driving experience. The S-Class also had a Burmester 3D Surround sound system, with an optional 4D Surround system for an immersive audio experience. The EQ Boost and rear-axle steering system further improved the S-Class’s performance and maneuverability.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came with SmartSense, Hyundai’s suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), 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.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with numerous safety and driver assistance features. Magic Vision Control adjusted windshield spray for optimal visibility. Driver assistance features included active distance assist, active steering assist, active brake assist, active blind-spot assist, and more. The S-Class also had Pre-Safe systems to prepare for imminent collisions and car-to-x communication for sharing road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags were available for added safety.