2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

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 created 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 styling improved with higher trims, ranging from SE to Limited, with prices between $19,650 and $25,450. The high-performance Elantra N, expected to cost less than $34,000, was set to debut with serious power and Nurburgring-tuned handling.

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 Volkswagen Golf GTI, despite claims of all-new body panels, retained a familiar look to its predecessor. The new GTI was longer and lower, with a stable silhouette and nimble handling. Its styling included a smooth hood, subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake, and signature red accent line running between the LED headlights. Optional light bars and standard LED fog lights added drama to the front end. Aerodynamic improvements included redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling.

Every GTI featured red brake calipers, with wheel sizes varying by trim. The S and SE trims had 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Autobahn trim rode on 19-inch wheels. The GTI was available in staple colors like silver, black, and white, with additional options like Atlantic Blue Metallic, Kings Red Metallic, and Moonstone Gray. The Autobahn trim offered Pomelo Yellow Metallic as a launch option. Inside, the GTI had plaid cloth seats as standard on S and SE trims, with Vienna leather available on SE and standard on Autobahn. The classic golf-ball shifter knob remained for manual transmission models, and all trims featured stainless steel pedals.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered various powertrain combinations, including the high-performance Elantra N. The standard Elantra SEL had 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, though real-world testing showed 31.4 mpg. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and achieved 50 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed 42.2 mpg. The sporty Elantra N Line had a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering a fun driving experience with a manual or DCT transmission. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, provided an exhilarating driving experience with advanced features like an electronic limited-slip differential and electronically controlled suspension.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The engine reached peak horsepower at 5,000 rpm, with torque available from 1,750 rpm. The GTI offered a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 24 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined for the manual, with a slight uptick for the automatic. The GTI's retuned suspension, electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential, and various drive modes enhanced its handling and performance. The top-tier Autobahn trim featured DCC adaptive damping for even better handling.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Heated front seats were standard, with ventilated front seats available on the Limited Hybrid. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The Elantra had useful storage space, including a 14.2 cubic foot trunk and 60/40-split folding rear seat. Some versions included a hands-free trunk lid release, though the lack of a grab handle inside the trunk was a drawback.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, known for its performance and practicality, offered 19.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat, expanding to 34.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The GTI's center stack was angled toward the driver, with a unique “light and sight” panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear legroom was surprisingly spacious, making the GTI suitable for transporting a family of four.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured traditional instrumentation with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system on SE, SEL, and N Line trims. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trim had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, offering a high-tech experience with features like dynamic natural voice recognition and a Bose premium sound system. Hyundai Digital Key allowed for smartphone-based access and control of the vehicle.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge displays and ambient lighting profiles. The infotainment system included an 8.25-inch touchscreen on the S trim and a 10-inch screen with navigation on SE and Autobahn trims. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SE and Autobahn trims had a 9-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. Volkswagen's Car-Net system offered various connected services, some at additional costs, including remote access, emergency assistance, and WiFi capability.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came equipped 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, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured IQ.Drive, a suite of ADAS including Travel Assist, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear traffic alert. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. Park Distance Control was standard on all trims, with Park Assist available on the Autobahn trim.