2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, showcased a departure from the sharper angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the S-Class and C-Class. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer Gorden Wagener, aimed to create a smooth and elegant appearance. The 2021 model featured updates such as squinted headlights, an inverted trapezoid grille, and horizontal taillights, giving it a slightly edgier look. The standing hood ornament was removed, aligning with the popular Sport style that featured a large star emblem in the grille. The interior of the E-Class was a luxurious space filled with rich woods, aluminum, carbon fiber, and intricate details like metal speaker grilles and elaborate stitching. The cabin was equipped with two 12-inch screens, a new digital instrument panel, and advanced steering wheel controls, making it a modern and lavish environment.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a distinctive look with a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. The design was subjective, with some finding it attractive and others not. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five passengers. The gauges and dials were clearly marked, and material quality was average for the segment. The Limited trim featured comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery color was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black side mirrors, and N badging, transforming its look from mild to wild. The N Line's cabin included dark chrome trim, red stitching, and unique N-brand sport seats, adding personality to the interior.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, making it a hybrid. This system used a 48-volt electrical system to provide extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more often to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power from the battery's overboost. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower, was adequate for everyday driving but lacked the performance expected of a luxury car. The AMG E53 added a second turbo, increasing output to 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, providing brisk acceleration and a healthy exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with a 4.0-liter V8 engine, delivered 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant with advanced features like variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive. Fuel economy for the E-Class varied, with the E450 4Matic achieving 26 mpg combined and the AMG E63 S getting 18 mpg combined.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, standard on the SE and SEL trims. The SEL Plus and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line, with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, offered a sportier driving experience with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission and sport suspension. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the N Line's performance enhancements made it a more aggressive and engaging option. The Sonata provided a smooth ride, competent handling, and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier. The cabin was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible had less due to the folding soft top. The wagon variant provided more cargo space, with 35 cubic feet or 64 cubic feet with the seats folded. The E-Class All-Terrain model added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged look. Despite its luxury status, the E-Class lacked some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats in certain trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's cabin offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the segment, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, standard on the Limited trim, allowed the car to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button on the key fob, making it easier to get in and out of tight parking spots.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system included features like live feed overlays from the front camera, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. However, it did not support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless. The instrument cluster offered various display options, allowing customization of the graphics. The E-Class also included advanced driving assists, such as lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. The base SE trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL trim added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The SEL trim also included features like Highway Driving Assist and a panoramic sunroof. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was easy, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included rear side airbags and advanced driver-assist systems.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came with a comprehensive safety package, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. Higher trims added features like blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view monitor. The Sonata received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top ratings in crash tests from the IIHS.