2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry made significant efforts to break away from its bland predecessors, exuding a newfound sense of style. Toyota designers went all out, adding a plethora of styling details to make the car visually engaging. Elements like the flared wheel arches and thin, elongated headlights and taillights created an illusion of greater width, giving the car an aggressive stance. However, certain trims like the SE, XSE, and TRD were adorned with fake vents, contributing to a somewhat cluttered appearance. The more subdued LE and XLE trims featured a different, though still sizable, grille.

The Nightshade Edition, borrowed from the 2020 model year, continued to impress with its blacked-out trim and wheels set against the SE foundation. Visually, the car's excitement factor was undeniable, even if not all the elements worked harmoniously. Large alloy wheels, ranging from 17 to 19 inches based on the trim level, further enhanced its road presence.

Internally, the 2021 Camry mirrored the chaotic styling of its exterior. The dashboard in the SE Nightshade Edition appeared almost like the amalgamation of parts from two different cars. Material quality took a hit, with an overabundance of contrasting trim elements, including contrast stitching, piano black plastic, and trims resembling carbon fiber. Leather upholstery was a feature exclusive to the XLE and XSE models.

Contrastingly, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata marked a notable departure from its initial models, which were often criticized for lacking originality and mimicking competitors like the Honda Accord. Over the years, the Sonata evolved, embodying a design that distinguished it from its rivals. The seventh-generation Sonata, revamped for 2020, showcased a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloping rear roofline. While these features were striking, they were polarizing—users either loved or hated them.

Inside, the Sonata's cabin was functional and spacious, accommodating up to five passengers. The dashboard featured clearly marked gauges and dials. Our Limited trim test car boasted comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery leaned towards an orange hue, which wasn't everyone's taste. The two-tone tan and black interior accentuated by red stitching in sportier trims like the N Line added a distinct flair.

The N Line's exterior enhancements turned heads with a body kit, gloss black side mirrors and window surrounds, a rear spoiler, and multiple "N" badges. The interior of this trim also featured dark chrome trim and sports seats adorned with red stitching and suede inserts, heightening its sporty appeal.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a variety of powertrains to cater to different driving preferences. The base engine was a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder labeled "Dynamic Force," producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) variants had slightly lower outputs—202 hp and 182 lb-ft. The XSE trim got a dual-exhaust system, increasing output slightly. An eight-speed automatic transmission paired with all configurations.

For those craving more power, Toyota provided a 3.5-liter V6, generating 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque. This was available only with FWD. Additionally, the 2021 Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter engine with electric assistance, yielding a total system output of 208 hp. Our SE Nightshade Edition test car, equipped with the base engine and AWD, exhibited a surprisingly lively character with enthusiastic revving and a sporty sound.

The Camry's chassis balanced handling and ride quality effectively. Though it wasn't as sharp as a Honda Accord or Mazda 6, it performed admirably, especially in corners. The TRD model, introduced in 2020, further emphasized performance with enhancements like a lowered suspension, stiffer springs and sway bars, TRD shocks, bigger brakes, and summer tires.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata showcased a dual nature. The base engine, a direct-injected 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 hp and 181 lb-ft, providing adequate performance for everyday tasks. The 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, common in SEL Plus and Limited trims, delivered 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and while functional, they weren't particularly exhilarating.

For those seeking excitement, the Sonata N Line was the star. It housed a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The N Line's sport suspension and tuned exhaust created an aggressive, fun-to-drive experience.

All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, lacking the AWD option offered by the Camry. Overall, the Sonata provided a smooth, quiet ride and handled competently within reasonable limits.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered good rear headroom and legroom, although front headroom and legroom were below average. Nevertheless, the front seats were adjustable and comfortable, and visibility was excellent. Cargo space stood at an average 15.1 cubic feet, significantly less than the Honda Accord’s 16.7 cubic feet. In-cabin storage was also limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders.

Toyota did well by keeping analog controls for essential functions, making operation straightforward. The climate control knobs and audio controls were user-friendly despite being a bit of a reach for the driver.

Conversely, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted an impressive 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, earning it an EPA "Large Car" classification. Front-seat headroom and legroom were excellent, though shoulder room was average. Rear-seat space was adequate, providing comfort for two average-sized adults but becoming tight with three passengers.

The Sonata’s trunk offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space, nearly matching the Accord and significantly larger than the Camry’s. The Sonata Limited trim included Remote Smart Parking Assist, a standout feature allowing the car to move forward or backward into tight spots via a button on the key fob.

Toyota equipped the 2021 Camry with a 7-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi capability, navigation, and a premium nine-speaker JBL system. USB connectivity was limited, regardless of the trim level.

Hyundai's 2022 Sonata featured escalating infotainment packages tied to the trim levels. The base SE trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a USB port, and a rearview camera. The SEL trim added satellite radio and Blue Link services. Higher trims boasted a 10.25-inch touchscreen, navigation, a fantastic 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless charging, and advanced voice recognition. The SEL Plus and Limited trims wowed users with exceptional audio clarity and ease of connectivity.

The 2021 Toyota Camry received top marks from both the IIHS and NHTSA, earning a "Top Safety Pick+" and five-star ratings across all crash tests. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Innovations in adaptive cruise control and forward-collision warning enhanced these systems. Toyota also introduced a Rear Seat Reminder to prevent leaving children or pets in the back seat.

Similarly, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata came well-equipped with safety features. Automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and high beams were standard. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, and a blind-spot view monitor. Despite being thorough, the safety systems operated without intruding on the driver.

The NHTSA awarded the Sonata a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS rated the 2021 model highly in all crash tests. The Sonata’s child-seat anchor ratings were acceptable but noted for being slightly recessed.