2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a striking redesign that began with the 2020 model year. It stood out distinctly, with a broad grille and tapered tail that made it immediately recognizable. The Sonata's look was daringly distinctive, drawing mixed reactions from design aficionados. The N Line treatment further amplified the Sonata's aesthetic appeal while toning down less popular elements. The redesigned front fascia brought bigger air intakes that helped with engine cooling and redirected attention from the unconventional daytime running light signature.

Gloss black side mirrors, window surrounds, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels were immediate identifiers of the N Line when viewed in profile. The rear sported a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a redesigned bumper with a lower diffuser panel and a four-outlet exhaust system, giving it an understated but aggressive look. Inside, Hyundai utilized upscale materials, including sport front seats with Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching on the seats and steering wheel, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents. A standard panoramic sunroof added a sense of spaciousness and introduced a two-tone exterior appearance.

Meanwhile, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class integrated design elements from other Mercedes models into a cohesive and stylish whole. The front end had the droop characteristic of the CLA-Class, while the squared-off rear end and thin taillights were reminiscent of the S-Class. This resulted in a sedan that was unmistakably recognizable as a Mercedes from any angle, aided by the prominent grille with a massive Mercedes three-pointed star logo.

The C-Class boasted cab-rearward proportions with a long hood and short rear deck, emphasizing its rear-wheel drive platform and distinguishing it from its front-wheel-drive counterparts like the CLA-Class and A-Class. LED headlights and taillights were standard, with an optional Digital Light system that offered advanced headlight functionalities like curve following and projection of warning icons. Inside, the C-Class sought to emulate the S-Class with features like a freestanding touchscreen and instrument cluster, intricate speaker grilles for the Burmester audio system, and 64-color ambient lighting, providing a luxurious atmosphere despite the standard synthetic leather upholstery.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, generating an impressive 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. This engine, borrowed from the standard Sonata but fortified for the N Line, was paired with a new eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) featuring paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The driving experience could be tailored with Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, and the Active Sound Design (ASD) system enhanced the engine note to create a thrilling auditory experience.

Performance enhancements included increased engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes with higher heat capacity, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Sonata N Line sat on 19-inch wheels wrapped in 245/40 all-season performance or summer performance tires. During testing in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Sonata N Line demonstrated significant improvements in handling, steering response, and braking performance. It handled curves with minimal body roll and provided a firm yet compliant ride, ensuring comfort on various road surfaces. Fuel economy was rated at 27 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 23.7 mpg under mixed conditions, including spirited driving.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which added up to 20 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque in short bursts, further supported the powertrain. The C300 could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds, with a top speed of 130 mph electronically limited.

In addition to the C300, Mercedes confirmed a sportier AMG C43 variant, which used a more potent turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 402 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This version could sprint to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, with an increased top speed of 155 mph (or 165 mph with optional larger wheels).

Our test of the C300 4Matic found the power delivery to be sufficient but occasionally marred by turbo lag and rough shifts. Despite these occasional hiccups, the ride quality was impressive, muting most road imperfections, though some juddering and vibrations were noticeable. The steering and handling characteristics allowed for confident cornering, though the C-Class required more deliberate input compared to more agile competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line's interior balanced comfort and functionality. The sport seats had Dinamica suede inserts for additional grip during spirited driving, ensuring comfort during daily commutes. The front passenger seat included a manual height adjuster, promoting comfort for both front occupants.

Rear-seat accommodations, however, were modest. While the Sonata felt wider than the Elantra, rear legroom and thigh support were not significantly better, though rear air conditioning vents and a USB port provided some additional comfort for passengers. The panoramic sunroof helped mitigate feelings of claustrophobia in the backseat. Despite premium materials, hard plastic seatback panels detracted from overall rear-seat comfort. Interior storage was ample, albeit somewhat inelegant in design. The Sonata offered a commendable 16 cubic feet of trunk space, enhanced by a 60/40-split folding rear seat and a Smart Trunk hands-free release feature, although the lack of an internal handle could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan offered an increase in length and width compared to its predecessor, resulting in more interior space. Headroom increased by 0.1 inch in front and 0.4 inch in the rear, while rear-seat legroom saw an improvement of 0.8 inches. The C-Class achieved segment-leading front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom but fell short in front legroom.

The seats were comfortable, with adequate bolstering for sporty driving. Visibility was excellent in the front, but thick rear pillars created blind spots, justifying the need for standard driver aids. Minor issues included dashboard glare and an inconveniently placed wireless charging pad. In terms of cargo capacity, the C-Class excelled with 17.9 cubic feet of trunk space and a wide trunk opening for easy loading and unloading. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench provided additional flexibility, though Mercedes did not publish cargo space figures with the seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came equipped with a robust array of technology features, though it lacked some options found in other Sonata variants. It included a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The system supported HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services, although it omitted a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The infotainment system featured only a power/volume knob, with tuning requiring the use of Seek and Track virtual buttons or steering wheel controls—an ergonomic step back. The placement of the volume knob often led to accidental activation of touch functions, and voice recognition, while generally accurate, had occasional lapses. A unique feature was the Sounds of Nature function, which offered ambient noise tracks for stress relief. Hyundai Digital Key, which allows for smartphone unlocking and starting, was standard but compatible only with Android devices.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class adopted an infotainment layout mirroring the S-Class flagship, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen angled towards the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims. The mid-tier models added a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, while the top-tier versions included a head-up display and an augmented-reality navigation system.

The MBUX infotainment system, featuring the "Zero Layer" setup from the EQS electric car, allowed multiple items to be displayed simultaneously, with a seamless user experience and highly effective voice recognition. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided a clear front-camera feed with overlaid arrows for precise navigation guidance, making it more intuitive than traditional systems. The steering wheel integrated touch controls efficiently, segregated by function for ease of use.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was outfitted with Hyundai’s comprehensive SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). These included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights.

Additionally, it featured Rear Occupant Alert to prevent leaving children behind, Safe Exit Warning to alert occupants of approaching traffic, and Highway Drive Assist, a Level 2 ADAS. This ADAS suite worked smoothly and reliably, particularly in heavy traffic situations, building driver trust. The standard Sonata already had strong safety ratings, but specific ratings for the N Line were not available at the time.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, while not yet rated by the IIHS or NHTSA at publication time, came with extensive standard ADAS features. These included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with safe exit assist, driver-attention monitor, and Mercedes’ Pre-Safe system. Optional safety features comprised lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, 360-degree camera, dashcam, park assist, and two levels of Distronic adaptive cruise control. The C-Class also offered Car-to-X communication, allowing vehicles to share information to provide advanced warnings, enhancing driver safety.