2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Lexus IS

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement with its athletic proportions and great stance. Its design captured motion even while standing still, exuding elegance with a well-measured distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline and compact, sporty cabin added to its dynamic appearance. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive look. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel in the center stack. The interior matched the exterior's bold, modern aesthetic, though the analog clock felt outdated.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a dramatic transformation with its seventh-generation redesign. It featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a striking four-door-coupe silhouette. The Elantra's unique personality was evident in its "Z" shape creases and folds on the doors, setting it apart from the Sonata and other compact sedans. Inside, the material quality was above average for its class, despite some hard plastics. The Elantra offered a comfortable and tech-loaded cabin, with the N Line trim adding sporty elements like N Line design fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2021 Lexus IS brought serious sport to the luxury sports sedan category. It was developed at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama, debuting the "Lexus Driving Signature" for seamless transitions in various driving situations. The IS 300 RWD had a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD featured a 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 models, both AWD and RWD, had the same V6, tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models had an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS's top speed was 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21/31/25 mpg, and the IS 350 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and FWD. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine, a 32-kW electric motor, and a six-speed DCT, producing 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim had a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's DCT provided crisp shifts and drive modes for varied driving experiences. The N Line also had sport-tuned suspension, steering, and larger front brake rotors, enhancing its driving dynamics.

The 2021 Lexus IS excelled in driver-centered form and function. It offered a great driver position with easily adjustable, comfortable, and supportive seats. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat, standard in IS 350 models, included heating and ventilation. The IS used perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that mimicked leather. Storage space was ample, with various compartments and a 10.8 cubic feet trunk. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiable with front-seat occupants.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was easy to live with, thanks to its compact size and clear instrumentation. The N Line's low seating position made entry and exit a bit challenging, but once inside, visibility was excellent. The Elantra comfortably accommodated three kids on a long trip, though taller adults would prefer the front seats due to the sloped roof pinching headroom in the back. Cargo space was 14.2 cubic feet, adequate for a compact sedan, though the trunk opening was narrow. The trunk lid support arms could crush items in their path. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and rear air vents was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It included various connected services with free trial periods, such as Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote. The Navigation Package offered Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option for audiophiles.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came with impressive technology for its price. The base SE had an 8-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, a digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging. Hyundai Digital Key was standard on N Line and Limited trims, allowing keyless operation via an Android smartphone.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, but it was expected to perform well based on the previous generation's ratings. It came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, and LED lighting.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive SmartSense suite of driver-assist tech, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features included driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests.