2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a bold redesign that was both striking and polarizing. Its distinctive appearance, from the broad grille to the tapered tail, made it unmistakably a Sonata. The N Line version enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the Sonata a stealthy performance-oriented appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line offered sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, creating a sporty yet refined interior ambiance.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, while mostly a carryover from the previous year, surprised with its futuristic and expressive design. The front end was characterized by a sneering face and muscular features, with wheel options ranging from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy wheels on upper trims. Inside, the Camry Hybrid boasted a wild dashboard design with a sweeping curve and a large infotainment touchscreen. The second row offered ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat, and the overall fit and finish were of high quality, with smooth, glossy paint and trim. The Camry Hybrid's interior was both functional and stylish, providing a comfortable and roomy environment for passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and included an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's performance was further enhanced by improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. The Sonata N Line's handling was impressive, with minimal understeer and excellent suspension tuning, providing a comfortable yet engaging driving experience. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 27 mpg combined, though real-world driving yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid focused on fuel efficiency, with the entry-level LE model achieving an EPA-rated 51 mpg city/53 mpg highway/52 mpg combined, while other trims offered 44 mpg city/47 mpg highway/46 mpg combined. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, delivering a total system output of 208 horsepower. An electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models. The Camry Hybrid's handling benefited from a lower center of gravity due to the lithium-ion battery pack's placement, providing a more engaging driving experience compared to the gasoline-only Camry. However, the focus on fuel economy resulted in some drivetrain droning and less responsiveness.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts, providing a balance between comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat included a manual height adjuster, enhancing comfort for both front-seat occupants. Rear-seat accommodations were similar to the Elantra N Line, with added rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's interior materials were of higher quality, though hard plastic front seatback panels could be uncomfortable for taller passengers. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in ride height, seating position, and ease of use. The driving position was comfortable and adjustable, with ample headroom for various preferences. Interior storage was generous, with multiple compartments and a spacious glove compartment. The second row was easy to access and offered a comfortable, roomy space with bottle holders and map pockets. The Camry Hybrid's trunk provided 15.1 cubic feet of space, with a passthrough for long items and foldable rear seats for larger cargo. Toyota's warranty coverage was comprehensive, with specific hybrid components covered for up to 10 years/100,000 miles.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The infotainment system supported HD Radio, SiriusXM, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, it lacked a WiFi hotspot and a tuning knob, which could be frustrating for users. The Sonata N Line also offered Sounds of Nature for stress relief and Hyundai Digital Key for Android devices.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was equipped with advanced technology features, including a premium JBL audio system with nine speakers, available on XLE and XSE models. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a WiFi hotspot. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade models had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE featured a 9-inch touchscreen. The Camry Hybrid also offered a smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path feature for the rearview camera. Upper trims could be equipped with a 10-inch head-up display, bird’s-eye view camera, and intelligent clearance sonar.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with Hyundai’s SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata N Line's safety package was comprehensive and user-friendly, though specific crash-test ratings were not available at the time of review.

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, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Camry Hybrid also came with Toyota’s Star safety system, 10 airbags, and a tire pressure monitoring system. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was available on lower trims and standard on higher trims. The 2021 model received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to receive similar ratings.