2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Dodge Charger

In the past, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra had evolved significantly from its previous, rather unremarkable and inconspicuous design. For years, the Elantra blended into the background, failing to capture the attention of potential buyers. That narrative dramatically shifted with the redesign that began with the 2021 model year. Hyundai introduced the seventh-generation Elantra with a striking new look, completely transforming the vehicle both inside and out. This transformation included a longer wheelbase, a wider stance, and a lower roofline, resulting in a bold, four-door coupe silhouette.

Sharing a visual familiarity with the midsize Sonata sedan, the Elantra still managed to carve out its own unique stylistic identity. Many noted that the Elantra executed the low-slung, four-door coupe look more compellingly than the Sonata. One standout feature was the "Z" shape created by the creases and folds on the doors, lending the Elantra extra character and making it easily distinguishable from its competitors.

The interior also saw a marked improvement, with material quality and aesthetics slightly surpassing the average in the compact car segment. Although there were some mentions of abundant hard plastic within the cabin, the overall consensus was that these minor shortcomings were balanced by the car’s affordability and advanced tech offerings. Guarding a starting price of $20,000, the Elantra provided great value with its loaded advanced features.

For 2022, the Elantra came in four trims: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. The high-performance Elantra N was reviewed separately. There was also an Elantra Hybrid available in Blue and Limited trims. The model tested was a Scarlet Red Pearl 2022 Elantra N Line with a black interior. The N Line added sporty design elements, including N Line-specific front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the N Line boasted sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a shift knob, enhancing its sporty appeal. Additional details such as a black headliner and aluminum pedals completed the N Line package.

In contrast, the Dodge Charger had a long-standing foundation, running on essentially the same platform since 2005, shared with the Dodge Challenger coupe and Chrysler 300 sedan. The platform had roots going even further back to an older Mercedes-Benz E-Class from the Daimler-Chrysler era. Despite its age, Dodge made impressive use of this platform. The Charger received significant updates to its interior and exterior in 2011, and a major facelift in 2015. The 2015 design carried over to the 2022 model year, offering a modern and menacing look, diverging from the retro muscle-car styling of its Challenger counterpart.

Despite its updated exterior, the Charger's cabin had become dated by modern standards. The thick bezels and chunky buttons gave it a small-truck feel, which clashed with the slim, minimalist designs seen in newer automotive interiors. However, the Chargers’ cabin compensated for its lack of modernity with ease of use.

For 2022, the Charger trims included SXT, GT, R/T, R/T Scat Pack, Hellcat, Redeye, and Jailbreak. The SXT trim came standard with a V6 engine and various comfort and convenience features. Higher trims added sportier and more luxurious elements. The model tested was a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody, which featured a striking and aggressive design with a widebody setup enhancing its performance look.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra differed from many compact sedans by offering multiple powertrain options tailored to different driving preferences. The base SE, SEL, and Limited trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). The CVT employed Hyundai's Shift Control Strategy, aiming for smoother operations and mimicking traditional automatic transmissions' step shifts. Although this combination was adequate for most buyers, it lacked sufficient power during hard acceleration, such as merging onto highways or passing other vehicles.

For those prioritizing fuel efficiency, the Elantra Hybrid offered an impressive solution. It 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, delivering a combined output of 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. This setup included a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) for more dynamic driving. The Elantra Hybrid's DCT enhanced the driving engagement, though its average buyer might not fully appreciate this detail.

The N Line trim catered to driving enthusiasts with its turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Buyers had the choice between a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT with manual shift mode and paddle shifters. The model tested featured the DCT, preferred by most buyers, offering crisp shifts when the car gained speed. The N Line also included Drive Mode Select with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes, each altering the driving dynamics to suit different preferences.

Handling and ride comfort were further improved in the N Line trim through sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts. Unlike the SE/SEL/Limited trims with a torsion-beam rear axle, the N Line featured a sophisticated multi-link independent rear suspension, enhancing handling precision. Larger front brake rotors increased stopping power. Overall, the N Line offered a compelling package, although its sport seats were less comfortable for long-distance drives due to low cushioning and limited lumbar support.

The 2022 Dodge Charger showcased a range of powerful engines, beginning with the SXT and GT models equipped with a 3.6-liter V6 engine dating back to the 2011 model. This engine delivered 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, with a slight bump to 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the SXT AWD and GT trims.

All upper trims came exclusively with V8 engines, starting with the R/T trim's 5.7-liter Hemi V8, producing 370 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. The R/T Scat Pack offered a performance bargain with its 6.4-liter Hemi V8, generating 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque.

Taking a significant leap in power, the SRT Hellcat featured a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8, delivering a staggering 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Redeye trim took it further with an output of 797 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. The Jailbreak trim maxed this at 807 hp. These figures pushed the Charger into supercar territory performance-wise but at a more accessible price point.

All engines in the Charger lineup were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with rear-wheel drive standard across the board. AWD was available on the V6-powered SXT and GT trims.

The Hellcat variants boasted incredible acceleration, with 0 to 60 mph achieved in just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. The Pirelli P-Zero tires on the Widebody models improved traction, allowing the Hellcat to put its immense power down more effectively, especially around corners. The suspension and steering settings could be customized via the SRT Performance Pages on the touchscreen, with Auto, Sport, Track, and Custom drive modes available.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra balanced stylish design with practicality, making it easy to navigate tight spaces and offering clear instrumentation and controls. Its compact size did not compromise interior comfort. Though the N Line's low seating position made entry and exit more challenging, the Elantra provided excellent visibility and sufficient space for small families. On a 700-mile trip, the Elantra comfortably accommodated three children in the back seat, although the sloped roof limited headroom for taller passengers.

The Elantra offered adequate cargo space with its 14.2 cubic feet trunk, capable of holding suitcases, sports equipment, and more. However, the narrow trunk opening necessitated careful packing. The trunk lid support arms could crush items in their path, which was a minor inconvenience.

The power tilt-and-slide moonroof generated a droning noise when fully open, resolved by closing the roof slightly. The lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents were noticeable drawbacks, leading to complaints from back-seat passengers.

The Dodge Charger, being a large sedan, felt more intimate due to its high center console and performance bucket seats. Both front and rear rows provided ample legroom, but headroom was limited, particularly in the rear seats, and getting in and out of the back required some effort.

The Charger’s older design showed in its storage solutions, with smaller center console bins and trays compared to modern vehicles. The 16.5 cubic feet trunk was spacious but challenging to load due to a high rear bumper and small trunk lid. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered a combination of sports-car performance with four-door practicality, making it versatile for various uses.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra packed a surprising amount of technology for its price. The base SE trim came standard with an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth with voice recognition, four speakers, and dual USB ports. Higher trims like the SEL, Hybrid Blue, and N Line added two more speakers, satellite radio, and Hyundai's Blue Link connected services.

The Limited and Hybrid Limited trims featured 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. However, these trims only offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The N Line and Limited trims also included Hyundai Digital Key, allowing owners to unlock, start, and drive the car using an Android-compatible smartphone. Pairing an iPhone for wireless use was quick and seamless, and the Apple CarPlay integration worked flawlessly. While the six-speaker system was adequate, it lacked the audio quality found in higher-end systems.

The Dodge Charger came a long way in terms of technology since its mid-2000s beginnings. It now featured a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. The base SXT and optional trims included an 8.4-inch version of the Uconnect screen, offering larger icons and easier usability. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, ensuring modern connectivity.

While not the most advanced car, the Charger’s technology was well-integrated with conventional controls, making it intuitive to use.

Hyundai's 2022 Elantra excelled in its value-focused safety features. The 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 standard features were driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Warning.

Higher trims offered intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received high safety ratings, earning five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top “Good” ratings from the IIHS in all six crash tests. Headlight ratings varied, with lower trims rated “Marginal” and the Limited trim with LED headlights rated “Good.”

The 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in safety features. It came standard with only a backup camera and rear parking sensors, with the backup camera displaying a grainy image. Optional features included forward-collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.