2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2022 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Subaru Impreza had a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which featured large round headlights and box fender flares. Both the sedan and hatchback versions sported sleek headlights and taillights, giving an impression of width, along with a nicely-tapered front end. The body sides had some scalloping for visual flair, and the awkward wheel arch sheetmetal from the previous generation was toned down. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels.

The interior of the Impreza was typical of compact cars, with a design that wasn't particularly exciting. The infotainment touchscreen split the dashboard in two, and the rest of the interior was mostly different forms of plastic. The Impreza Sport featured contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the range-topping Impreza Limited had standard leather upholstery and LED headlights. The Impreza was based on the Subaru Global Platform, which contributed to its overall refinement.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early years when it closely mimicked the Honda Accord. Over time, Hyundai improved the Sonata's quality and gave it more personality, differentiating it from the competition. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. The design was distinctive, though subjective in its appeal.

Inside, the 2022 Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five passengers. The gauges and dials were clearly marked and easy to read, and the material quality was about average for the segment. The Limited trim had leather seats that were comfortable and supportive, though the tan upholstery color was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line featured 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 had dark chrome trim and red stitching, with unique N-brand sport seats and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This Subaru-signature boxer engine allowed for a lower center of gravity. Most Impreza models came with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual transmission was available on the base Impreza sedan and hatchback, and the Impreza Sport hatchback. The Sport model also had specific suspension tuning and a torque vectoring feature for the AWD system.

The Impreza was an agreeable daily driver, offering a nice ride but lacking the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Impreza Sport's special suspension tuning provided a good balance between ride quality and handling, while torque vectoring gave the car a neutral balance. However, the steering was noncommunicative, and the engine's relative lack of power kept the Impreza Sport from being a true driver's car.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a split personality when it came to performance. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, offering a quiet and non-threatening driving experience. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, making 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, was available on the SEL Plus and Limited trims. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters standard on the 1.6-liter turbo engine.

The Sonata N Line, in contrast, was an edgy and boisterous car with a 290-hp, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), sport suspension, and tuned exhaust. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and AWD was not available. The Sonata offered a smooth ride, competent handling, and a serene cabin, providing near Genesis-like levels of quiet.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan offered 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the least among current compact sedans, but it did have a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Impreza hatchback had 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, more than the Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla hatchback, but less than the 2021 Honda Civic hatchback. With the rear seats folded, the Impreza offered 55.3 cubic feet of cargo space. All hatch trim levels except the base model had standard roof rails.

The Impreza Premium and higher trim levels featured an All-Weather Package, including heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated exterior mirrors. The Sport trim added keyless entry with pushbutton start, while the Limited had a standard six-way power driver’s seat and automatic climate control. A power moonroof was available as an extra-cost option on most trim levels.

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 at the top of the class, while shoulder room was about average. Rear-seat space was adequate for two adults, but a third passenger would find it cramped. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, holding a complete three-piece set of rolling luggage with room to spare.

The Sonata Limited trim featured Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the car to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button on the key fob. This feature made getting in and out of tight parking spots more manageable and was a hit with spectators.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza's base and Premium trim levels had a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity and Bluetooth, while higher trim levels had an 8-inch touchscreen. An option package for the top Limited trim level added TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Impreza's infotainment system was easy to use, with large touchscreen icons and minimal menu digging for important functions.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. Base SE versions had an 8-inch touchscreen display, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, a 12-volt outlet, and a rearview camera. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. The SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The SEL trim also included last year's Tech package equipment as standard.

Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was quick and easy, and the Bose audio system provided unexpected power and clarity. The Sonata's infotainment system delivered excellent value for the price.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” award, with the highest “Good” score in all crash tests. However, the standard headlights received a “Marginal” rating, while the Limited trim's headlights received a “Good” score. The NHTSA gave the Impreza a five-star overall safety rating. The Impreza's EyeSight safety tech was standard on CVT-equipped models, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, and lead vehicle start alert. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear automatic braking, and steering-responsive headlights were available as options.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came with a comprehensive safety package, even on the base trim. Standard features included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rearview monitor, and a Rear Occupant Alert system. The SEL trim added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-centering assistance. The Limited trim included a blind-spot view monitor, rear park assist, and surround-view monitor.

The NHTSA gave the 2022 Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, with four stars for front crash protection and five stars for side crash protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the 2021 Sonata top "Good" ratings in all six crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front crash prevention. The Sonata Limited's LED projector headlights received a "Good" rating, while other trims' LED reflector headlights received a "Marginal" rating.