2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan segment, 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 for the SEL and Limited. Prices ranged from $19,650 to $25,450, excluding destination charges. The high-performance Elantra N, debuting early in 2021, 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 Toyota Camry Hybrid, while mostly a carryover from the previous year, continued to impress with its futuristic and expressive exterior design. The front end featured a sneering face and muscular features, with wheel options ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy. The interior was equally futuristic, with a wild dashboard design and a big infotainment touchscreen at the top of the center stack. The second row was roomy and comfortable, even for the middle seat, and Toyota’s high level of fit and finish was evident throughout the vehicle.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, each with its own driving characteristics. The Elantra SEL, priced at $25,015, featured a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. It returned 35 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA, though real-world testing yielded 31.4 mpg. The Elantra Hybrid, priced at $29,095, used a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and an electric motor to produce 139 horsepower, achieving 50 mpg in combined driving. The sporty Elantra N Line, priced at $26,245, had a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost around $34,000, boasted a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with 276 horsepower.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, designed for fuel efficiency, featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. The LE model achieved an impressive 52 mpg combined, while other trims returned 46 mpg combined. The Camry Hybrid’s handling was enhanced by a lower center of gravity due to the battery pack placement, making it feel more agile than the gasoline-only Camry. However, keeping the car in EV mode was challenging, and there was occasional drivetrain droning.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a spacious interior with height-adjustable driver’s seats and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the Elantra lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in ride height, seating position, and ease of use. The driver and front passenger had multiple storage options, and the second row was comfortable and roomy. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, with a passthrough for long items and fold-down rear seats for larger cargo. Toyota’s warranty coverage included a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

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 offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, though it lost wireless smartphone integration. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key for added convenience.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with Toyota’s latest technology features, including a premium JBL audio system with nine speakers, available on XLE and XSE models. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard on all models, with a 7-inch touchscreen on LE, SE, and SE Nightshade trims, and a 9-inch touchscreen on XLE and XSE trims. The Camry Hybrid also featured a smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path rearview camera.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came standard with Hyundai’s SmartSense, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional safety features included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and more. The Camry Hybrid also came with 10 airbags, a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rear seat reminder. The 2021 model received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to receive the same rating. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Camry Hybrid a five-star overall safety rating.