2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a reputation for its adolescent aesthetic, often seen as the rebellious member of the Subaru family. While it looked tamer compared to the racier WRX STI, the WRX still featured a wedge-like front end and a short trunk lid, giving it a speedy appearance even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to its sporty look. Inside, the WRX's cockpit was function-first, with plenty of hard plastics that contributed to its less mature reputation. The interior was reminiscent of Subaru compact cars from the past decade, lacking the refined cabins seen in competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days of mimicking the Honda Accord. By the seventh generation, the Sonata had developed 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. The Limited trim featured 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 2021 Subaru WRX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite being the most powerful among its rivals, the WRX required mastering the revs to get the most out of it. The CVT, though not ideal for driving enthusiasts, kept the revs in the powerband accurately. The manual transmission, however, felt vague and less precise compared to the WRX STI. The WRX also featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing its cornering precision. However, its stiff ride was a downside compared to the more comfortable Civic Si and GTI.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a split personality in terms of performance. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, providing a quiet and non-threatening driving experience. The turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, available on the SEL Plus and Limited trims, made 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Both engines paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line, with its 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension, offered a more aggressive and thrilling drive. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the ride was smooth and quiet, offering near Genesis-like levels of serenity.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. While it provided more space than the Civic Si coupe, it fell short compared to the sedan and the VW GTI. The WRX's interior packaging felt dated, with limited in-door bottle holders and a center console that could obstruct shifting. However, it offered a commanding driving position with good visibility and decent rear-seat space, accommodating four adults comfortably.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's cabin was among the most spacious in the midsize sedan segment, with 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space. The EPA classified it as a "Large Car," and it offered top-class front-seat headroom and legroom. Rear-seat space was adequate for two adults, though a third might feel cramped. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, holding a complete three-piece set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist, standard on the Limited trim, allowed the car to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2021 WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls. The Limited trim featured an available option package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing solid sound quality. However, the tech felt dated compared to newer models.

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

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with the latest safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, with adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. Adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking were options on the Limited trim. All trims came standard with a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped 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 Rear Occupant Alert. Higher trims added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, and more. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave the 2021 Sonata top "Good" ratings in all crash tests.