2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Audi A4

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad, and the S4 performance-tuned model. For this review, the A4 sedan was evaluated, available in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series and Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trim levels. Prices started at under $40,000 and rose to more than $50,000. The test car was a Prestige 45 TFSI with Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, the S-line Interior package, and ventilated front seats, with an MSRP of $55,890, including the $1,095 destination charge.

The A4's exterior was simple, clean, and conservative, serving as a perfect canvas for the Tango Red paint and Black Optic package detailing. The classic five-arm rotor-design wheels were a highlight. Inside, the A4 maintained aesthetic restraint with black everything, complemented by aluminum trim, gloss black décor, and metallic accents. The 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel and ambient interior lighting added to the high-quality feel, though the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system seemed like an afterthought.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign for the 2021 model year, transforming its previously inconspicuous appearance into a striking new look. The seventh-generation Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The exterior styling, reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, had its own unique personality, with a "Z" shape created by the creases and folds on the doors.

The Elantra's interior was much improved over the previous generation, with material quality, look, and feel slightly above the norm for the compact car class. Despite some hard plastic, the overall impression was positive, especially considering the starting price of around $20,000. The 2022 Elantra was available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with the Elantra Hybrid in Blue and Limited trims. The test car was a Scarlet Red Pearl 2022 Elantra N Line with a black interior, featuring sporty styling elements, N Line brand sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a black headliner, and aluminum pedals.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) and standard Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. It earned an EPA fuel economy rating of 29 mpg in combined driving and could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI test car had 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, with a lowered sport suspension. It could accelerate to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and had an EPA rating of 27 mpg in combined driving. The A4 45 TFSI averaged 24.8 mpg during testing.

The A4's Quattro Ultra AWD system powered the front wheels unless power transfer to the rear wheels was needed. The driving experience was joyful, with a refined engine, solid torque, and excellent tire grip. The 245/35 Hankook Ventus S1 Evos provided outstanding grip, and the brakes performed flawlessly. The steering was adequate but could be better. The A4's structure and suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation, and the cabin was remarkably quiet.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, a 32-kilowatt electric motor, and a 1.32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, with a total system output of 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. It had a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT).

The N Line had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT. The test car had the DCT, which delivered crisp shifts at higher rpm. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts, along with a multi-link independent rear suspension and larger front brake rotors, provided confident handling and enhanced driving dynamics.

The 2022 Audi A4's low seating position and small door openings made it harder to enter and exit. However, once inside, the A4 was exceptionally comfortable in the front and adequately comfortable in the back. The heated and ventilated driver's seat offered a perfect driving position, and the three-zone automatic climate control system was easy to use. The A4's layout and switchgear were intuitive, but interior storage space was limited. The 13 cubic-foot trunk was nicely finished and had enclosed hinges, storage nets, and grab handles.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was easy to live with, offering excellent outward visibility and plenty of storage options. The N Line's low seating position made entry and exit a bit challenging, but once inside, the Elantra provided a comfortable experience. The rear seat could accommodate three children comfortably, though taller adults would prefer the front seats due to the sloped roof. The Elantra's 14.2 cubic-foot trunk was adequate, though the narrow trunk opening made it challenging to reach the area closest to the seatbacks. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and air conditioning vents in the rear were minor irritations.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common fingertip smartphone functions and offered acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, Audi Connect connected services, navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was intuitive, and the voice recognition technology was accurate but slow. The Bang & Olufsen stereo was satisfying, but the sound quality degraded at higher volumes. The head-up display was hard to see with polarized sunglasses.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE had an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, four speakers, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging. Hyundai Digital Key was standard on the N Line and Limited trims. The infotainment system was easy to use, but the six-speaker audio system's performance was merely adequate.

The 2022 Audi A4's safety features were stair-stepped based on trim level. The Prestige model included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist. The Matrix-design LED headlights provided excellent visibility. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

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