2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its understated exterior styling from the previous year's facelift, which was its first major design update in nearly a decade. This gave the Passat a strong resemblance to the smaller Volkswagen Jetta, offering a more conservative look compared to its more flamboyantly styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth, aerodynamic shape, reminiscent of 1990s sedans, boasted a drag coefficient of 0.28, which contributed to its fuel efficiency, albeit not dramatically. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim. The R-Line trim added sportier styling elements, though the color palette remained subdued.

Inside, the Passat's interior was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls for ease of use. The dashboard's low profile enhanced visibility, while the low beltline avoided the claustrophobic feel common in many modern cars. However, the interior design was somewhat plain, with limited brightwork and basic materials like plastic and cloth or V-Tex leatherette upholstery. Despite this, the fit and finish were commendable, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option. The flat-bottomed steering wheel was a curious choice, seeming out of place in this otherwise un-sporty vehicle.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its 2021 redesign, shedding its previous rental-car image for a striking new look. The seventh-generation Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. While it shared some design cues with the midsize Sonata, the Elantra's unique personality shone through, particularly with its "Z" shape creases on the doors, setting it apart from both the Sonata and its compact sedan rivals.

The Elantra's interior also saw improvements, with material quality slightly above the norm for its class. While some hard plastics were present, the overall look and feel were commendable, especially given its starting price. The Elantra was available in four trims, with the N Line offering sporty styling elements and a black interior. The N Line's sport seats and leather-wrapped steering wheel added to the car's sporty appeal, though the seats' low position and lack of lumbar support could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower was slightly below average for the segment, the torque was impressive, providing enough power to spin the wheels if not careful. However, power delivery felt uneven, particularly during highway overtakes, unless switched to Sport mode or manually selecting gears. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. While highway ride quality and cabin noise levels were acceptable, the Passat didn't offer much excitement on twisty roads.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra provided multiple powertrain options. The standard engine for SE, SEL, and Limited trims was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. While adequate for most buyers, this setup lacked power during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid offered a 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed DCT for a more engaging drive. The N Line trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT. The N Line's DCT provided crisp shifts and offered drive modes for varied driving experiences. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link rear suspension enhanced handling, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat was known for its roomy back seats, offering 39.1 inches of rear legroom, though slightly less than the Honda Accord or Subaru Legacy. This spaciousness came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment, and front headroom was also lacking. The driving position was uncomfortable, with limited front legroom and inadequate thigh support. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than some rivals but less than the Accord and Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. However, the layout of controls was excellent, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach, and the analog gauges were easy to read.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, with its compact size aiding in navigating tight spaces. The instrumentation and controls were clearly marked and easy to use, and the car offered plenty of storage options. The N Line's low seating position required extra effort to enter and exit, but once inside, the Elantra provided excellent visibility. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably on long trips, though taller adults would prefer the front seats due to the sloped roof limiting headroom. Cargo space was 14.2 cubic feet, adequate for most needs, though the trunk opening was narrow. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air vents was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender audio system. Keyless entry was standard on SE and R-Line trims. A single USB-A port handled connectivity, with two rear charge-only ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and the dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls minimized the need for screen interaction. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit or MIB3 system, appealing to those seeking simplicity.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings. The base SE trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and four speakers. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link services. Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a digital instrument cluster. The N Line and Limited trims offered Hyundai Digital Key for Android users. Pairing an iPhone with the infotainment system was seamless, and Apple CarPlay integration was flawless. The six-speaker audio system was adequate, though not exceptional.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores from the IIHS in all crash tests, though its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA had not published crash-test ratings for the Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive SmartSense suite of driver-assist technologies, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features included driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, with the Limited trim's LED headlights earning a "Good" rating.