2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Hyundai Sonata

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra, in its earlier years, had an unassuming aesthetic that failed to capture much attention from potential buyers. It seamlessly blended into the background without causing any waves, an automotive wallflower of sorts. However, this changed dramatically with the 2021 redesign, ushering in the seventh generation of the Elantra. Hyundai overhauled the car inside and out, delivering a striking new look. The latest Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, a wider stance, and a lower roofline, creating a bold four-door-coupe profile that was reminiscent of the midsize Sonata, yet distinctive in its own right. The Elantra's unique exterior was characterized by intricate creases and folds on the doors that formed a "Z" shape, adding extra character and distinguishing it from both the Sonata and other compact sedans.

The interior of the Elantra also saw significant improvements over the previous generation. The material quality, look, and feel were slightly above the norm for the compact car class. While there were still some hard plastics, the overall quality and advanced tech features made it a compelling choice, especially given its starting price of around $20,000. The 2022 Elantra came in several trim levels, including SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, alongside the Elantra Hybrid.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a more storied evolution. Early models of the Sonata closely mimicked the Honda Accord, leading to criticisms of lacking originality and quality issues. However, with time, Hyundai applied lessons learned to improve the Sonata steadily. By the time the seventh-generation Sonata rolled out in 2020, it had a distinctive wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline. The design polarized opinions—some found it attractive while others disagreed.

Inside, the Sonata boasted a functional and spacious cabin with clear gauges and easy-to-use controls. The Limited trim featured comfortable leather seats, although the tan color may not appeal to everyone. The Sonata N Line, targeting sporty enthusiasts, had an aggressive body kit, gloss black accents, and unique N branding. The cabin of the N Line model featured dark chrome trim and red stitching, giving it extra personality.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a variety of powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims came standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). While this combination was adequate for most buyers, it lacked power during hard acceleration.

The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, generating a combined 139 horsepower and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. This setup, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), promised a more dynamic driving experience.

For driving enthusiasts, the Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This version offered either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT with paddle shifters. The N Line also boasted sport-tuned suspension, steering, and larger brakes, contributing to enhanced handling dynamics. However, while the N Line's sporty seats were great for spirited driving, they were less comfortable on long trips.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata presented a contrasting performance profile with a split personality. The standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, was reliable and adequate for everyday driving. A turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, powered SEL Plus and Limited trims. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Sonata N Line featured a robust 290-horsepower, 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, mated to an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, promising a thrilling driving experience. The N Line's sport suspension and tuned exhaust heightened its appeal for driving enthusiasts despite being front-wheel drive (FWD) across all trims.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in everyday usability. Although compact, it navigated tight spaces effortlessly, and the clearly marked controls enhanced convenience. The N Line's low seating position required extra effort for ingress and egress but offered excellent visibility once inside. Despite its compact size, the Elantra provided ample space for passengers and cargo. On a 700-mile trip with three kids, the Elantra's back seat accommodated them comfortably. Taller adults, however, would find the front seats more comfortable due to the rear seat's sloped roof.

The Elantra's trunk, while smaller than some competitors, offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Its sloping roofline resulted in a narrow trunk opening, but with strategic placement, significant cargo could still fit. However, the trunk lid support arms could crush items, and the moonroof, when fully open, created a noticeable droning noise.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, classified as a "Large Car" by the EPA, offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space. The Sonata excelled in front-seat headroom and legroom but provided only average shoulder room and adequate rear-seat space. The Sonata's 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, easily accommodating luggage for a trip. Novel features like the Remote Smart Parking Assist, standard on the Limited trim, added convenience, allowing the car to park itself with a button press on the key fob.

The Hyundai Elantra's technology offerings were impressive, especially given its price. The base SE model included an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims, like the SEL and N Line, added satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. The Limited and Hybrid Limited trims boasted a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. However, the larger touchscreen only supported wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Hyundai Digital Key, available on N Line and Limited trims, allowed keyless operation via an Android-compatible smartphone.

The 2022 Sonata's infotainment features correlated with its price. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and six speakers. The SEL trim added satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, like SEL Plus and Limited, upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless device charging. The SEL's inclusion of last year's Tech package added further value with features like Highway Driving Assist and a panoramic sunroof. Pairing smartphones with the system was quick and easy, and the Bose audio system's performance was exceptional.

Hyundai packed the Elantra with numerous standard safety features. The SmartSense suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking were available on higher trims. The Elantra earned five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection, four stars for front crash protection, and five stars for side crash protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave the Elantra top "Good" ratings in all crash tests, although only the Limited trim with LED headlights received a "Good" rating for headlight performance.

Similarly, the 2022 Sonata came with a comprehensive safety package. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and a rear occupant alert system. Higher trims added blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, and a surround-view monitor. The Sonata earned five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and performed well in individual tests. The IIHS rated the 2021 Sonata, structurally identical to the 2022 model, with top "Good" ratings in all crash tests. However, the headlight performance varied, with the Limited trim receiving a "Good" rating and other trims rated "Marginal."