2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Subaru Legacy

The 2021 Subaru Legacy was a solid contender in the midsize-sedan market, often overshadowed by more popular models like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Available in six trim levels, the Legacy offered a range of features, from basic to premium, with options for customization. Its design was closely aligned with the Subaru Outback, sharing many elements from the B-pillar forward, including the fascia and dashboard setup. The Legacy's styling was understated, focusing on safety and reliability rather than flashy aesthetics. It featured high-gloss stainless steel moldings and a choice of wheel designs, with standard all-season tires. The interior was practical, with a mix of high-quality materials and some fit-and-finish issues, particularly in the Legacy Limited XT model. While the cabin was functional, it lacked the luxurious touches found in more premium vehicles.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its 2021 redesign, emerging with a bold new look that set it apart from its predecessors. The seventh-generation Elantra boasted a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a striking four-door-coupe silhouette. Its exterior design was unique, with distinctive creases and folds that added character. Inside, the Elantra's cabin was a step up from the previous generation, offering materials and finishes slightly above the compact car class norm. While some hard plastics were present, the overall quality was commendable for its price point. The Elantra was available in multiple trims, including the sporty N Line, which featured unique styling elements and a more dynamic interior. Despite its compact size, the Elantra provided a comfortable and spacious environment for passengers, making it a practical choice for small families.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy offered two engine options, catering to different driving needs. The Base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trims were equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided adequate performance for everyday driving but might have felt underpowered for more demanding tasks like towing or highway merging. For those seeking more power, the Limited XT and Touring XT trims featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and all-wheel drive (AWD) was standard across the lineup, a unique feature in the midsize sedan segment. The Legacy's AWD system enhanced stability and comfort over rough terrain, although steering precision could be challenging at higher speeds without lane-centering technology. Fuel economy was competitive, with the 2.5-liter engine achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined, while the turbocharged engine offered slightly lower figures.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra provided a range of powertrain options to suit different preferences. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. While this setup was sufficient for most buyers, it lacked power during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid offered a more fuel-efficient option, combining a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor for a total output of 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque. The Hybrid featured a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, providing a more engaging driving experience. For enthusiasts, the N Line trim delivered a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link rear suspension enhanced handling, while larger front brake rotors improved stopping power. The Elantra's drive modes allowed for customization, with Sport mode offering more responsive steering and engine performance.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy prioritized comfort and spaciousness, addressing previous consumer complaints. It featured a sound-insulation windshield to reduce noise, although it wasn't the quietest in its class. The seating position was improved, offering a more natural posture, with power-adjustable options available on higher trims. The Legacy's rear seat provided ample legroom, making it comfortable for adults on long journeys. However, the generous passenger space came at the expense of cargo capacity, with the trunk offering 15.1 cubic feet of storage. Despite this trade-off, the Legacy's cabin felt roomy, with good forward visibility and available features like heated and ventilated seats.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, with its compact size making it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. The interior was well-designed, with clear instrumentation and controls. While the N Line's low seating position required some effort to enter and exit, the Elantra offered excellent visibility and a spacious feel. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, although taller adults might find headroom limited due to the sloped roofline. Cargo space was adequate at 14.2 cubic feet, with a trunk that could hold a surprising amount of gear despite its narrow opening. However, the trunk lid support arms could crush items in their path. The Elantra's moonroof had a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air vents was a minor inconvenience for passengers.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy featured a dual 7-inch infotainment and climate control display on the base model, while higher trims received an 11.6-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 12-volt power outlet, USB ports, and automatic climate control. Upmarket trims added more USB ports, navigation, a Harman Kardon audio system, and other conveniences. While the infotainment system was functional, its design was somewhat unsophisticated, with a multicolored background that didn't match the vehicle's elegance. The system's menus were easy to navigate, and the prominent placement of the automatic start/stop button was a plus.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price. The base SE trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, 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, a Bose audio system, and a digital instrument cluster. Hyundai Digital Key was available on select trims, allowing keyless access via an Android smartphone. Pairing an iPhone with the Elantra's infotainment system was quick and seamless, and the Apple CarPlay integration worked flawlessly. While the six-speaker audio system was adequate, it lacked the richness of premium systems found in other Hyundai models.

The 2021 Subaru Legacy was renowned for its safety, earning top scores from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Subaru EyeSight technology, which included adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane departure warning, and more. The EyeSight system was effective but could be intrusive with its alerts. The Legacy also featured a sensitive seat-belt monitoring system and offered additional safety options like reverse automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring. Subaru provided a three-year/36,000-mile new car limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of safety features with its SmartSense technology, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The Elantra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crash tests. However, lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating, while the Limited trim with LED headlights earned a "Good" rating.