2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The Hyundai Elantra, in years past, carried a rather unassuming appearance that failed to grab attention. However, the 2021 redesign drastically changed its visual appeal. The seventh-generation Elantra showcased a longer wheelbase, a wider stance, and a lower roofline, giving it a sleek four-door-coupe silhouette. It boasted plenty of unique styling elements such as the "Z" shape creases on the doors, making it stand out in a crowded compact car market. Inside, the Elantra's cabin saw material enhancements, though hard plastics were still present. Yet, given its starting price of around $20,000 and the inclusion of advanced tech features, these drawbacks were deemed acceptable. The N Line model particularly exuded sportiness with its unique front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, 18-inch alloy wheels, and sporty interior touches like N Line sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Contrast that with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which drew inspiration from other Mercedes models to create a cohesive and stylish design. The front end echoed elements from the CLA-Class, while the rear bore resemblance to the S-Class. It had cab-rearward proportions, emphasizing its rear-wheel-drive platform. Standard LED headlights and taillights added to its sophisticated look, with optional Digital Light system for enhanced functionality. Inside, the C-Class resembled a scaled-down S-Class with luxurious touches like a freestanding touchscreen, prominent air vents, and ambient lighting with multiple color options. Despite its upscale features, the C-Class came standard with MBTex synthetic leather, with Nappa leather available on higher trims, underscoring its luxury status.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra presented buyers with multiple powertrain options. The base SE, SEL, and Limited trims housed a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. It provided adequate performance but lacked punch in hard acceleration scenarios. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine combined with an electric motor, produced 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque with a six-speed DCT meant for a more engaging drive, though not all might notice the difference.

For spirited drivers, the N Line version offered a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine delivering 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT and sport-tuned suspension contributed to a lively drive, though the seats might be uncomfortable for long journeys.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Mercedes-Benz C300 used a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing a stronger 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It featured a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system for added efficiency. Despite its power, the engine exhibited turbo lag and had some transmission quirks, like rough shifts and gear-holding tendencies. The upcoming AMG C43 promised even more power with 402 hp and 369 lb-ft, drastically improving 0-60 mph times to 4.6 seconds from the C300’s 5.9 seconds.

Luxury-car standards reflected in the C-Class’s ride quality, absorbing bumps well despite minor vibrations. It performed admirably on twisty roads, offering good body control and precise steering but needing effort and encouragement to deliver a sporty drive, unlike more intuitive sports sedans.

The Elantra combined stylish design with practical usability. Its compact size facilitated navigating tight spaces, with clear instrumentation and good storage options. The sportier N Line necessitated extra effort to get in and out but maintained excellent visibility. On a long drive, it comfortably accommodated three children, though taller adults found the back seat snug due to its sloped roof reducing headroom. The Elantra’s trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of space, smaller than some competitors but sufficient for a weekend’s luggage. The narrow trunk opening posed a Tetris-like challenge for arranging items, and the trunk lid support arms required careful packing to avoid crushing belongings.

Conversely, the C-Class prioritized spaciousness and luxury. It grew longer and wider, providing slight increases in headroom and rear-seat legroom, making it leading in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom among its competitors. Despite these gains, front legroom was lacking compared to rivals. Comfort was a given, with seats designed for both luxury and spirited driving. Visibility was generally good, though thick rear pillars created significant blind spots. At 17.9 cubic feet, the C-Class offered more trunk space than its rivals, with a wide opening facilitating easy loading. The 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench added to its versatility, although expanded cargo capacity figures weren't provided.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came packed with tech features relative to its price. The base SE trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims like the Limited received a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless device charging (though only wired CarPlay and Android Auto with the larger screen). Hyundai Digital Key was available on certain trims but limited to Android phones. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the six-speaker audio system was only adequate, lacking the richness of premium systems found in other Hyundai models.

The C-Class mirrored the S-Class’s tech sophistication. Even the base model featured high-resolution 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen angled towards the driver. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with higher trims adding premium Burmester sound and augmented-reality navigation systems. The MBUX infotainment system impressed with its user-friendly “Zero Layer” setup that kept essential functions one tap away. Voice recognition proved exceptional, and touch controls on the steering wheel were intuitive. The augmented-reality navigation offered precise guidance with on-screen arrows overlaid on camera feeds, improving navigational accuracy beyond conventional systems.

Hyundai excelled in providing extensive safety features at an attractive price. The Elantra’s SmartSense suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional features on higher trims included adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist, all of which performed well. The 2022 Elantra received a five-star overall crash protection rating from NHTSA and top "Good" ratings in all IIHS crash tests, although lower trims received "Marginal" ratings for their headlights.

For the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, crash-test ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable, though the 2021 model was a “Top Safety Pick+.” Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, Pre-Safe, and Pre-Safe Sound. Optional features spanned lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, and advanced versions of Distronic adaptive cruise control. The C-Class’s cutting-edge Car-to-X communication demonstrated practical benefits by warning of road hazards, suggesting a future-proof approach to safety.