2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

In the past, the Hyundai Elantra's design was unremarkable, blending into the crowd without drawing much attention. However, the 2021 redesign transformed the Elantra into a striking vehicle with a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, giving it a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The new design featured unique creases and folds on the doors, creating a distinctive "Z" shape that set it apart from its competitors. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw significant improvements in material quality and design, offering a more premium feel despite some hard plastics.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic look from the previous year's complete makeover. The S-Class has a sleek exterior with a long distance between the front axle and the dashboard, adding to its elegance. The car's design is reminiscent of the Audi lineup but proudly displays the Mercedes-Benz grille and star hood ornament. Inside, the S-Class dashboard featured a waterfall of open-pore wood trim and a 12.8-inch touchscreen, with a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel. The cabin was dressed in high-quality materials, meticulously fitted and assembled, providing a luxurious experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims came 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). 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, delivering 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim 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 dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The N Line also featured sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts, enhancing its ride and handling dynamics.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class came with two engine options. The S500 had a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder mild-hybrid gasoline-electric engine with EQ Boost, producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque from the electric motor. The S580 featured a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine with EQ Boost. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and standard 4Matic AWD. The S500 accelerated from 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds, while the S580 did it in 4.4 seconds. The S500 delivered up to 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/24 mpg combined, and the S580 was rated at 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway/19 mpg combined.

The Hyundai Elantra was easy to live with, thanks to its compact size, clear instrumentation, and ample storage options. The seats were comfortable, though the N Line's low seating position made entry and exit a bit challenging. The Elantra offered excellent outward visibility and enough space for small families. The rear seat could accommodate three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the headroom limited. The trunk provided 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for a weekend's worth of luggage, though the narrow trunk opening made access a bit tricky. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof had a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and air conditioning vents in the rear were minor inconveniences.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled in comfort and luxury, with a serene cabin and ample storage space. Second-row passengers enjoyed powered sun blinds and a Panorama Sunroof. The 13.8-cubic-foot trunk was spacious and carpeted. The cabin had six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the second row. The front seats featured heating, ventilation, massage functions, and memory settings. The Luxury Line added a heated steering wheel, heated armrests, and rear-seat heating. The Executive Line, exclusive to the S580, included active multicontour rear seats, neck and shoulder heating, and a high-end rear-seat entertainment system. The doors opened wide, making entry and exit easy, and the soft-close feature prevented slamming.

The Hyundai Elantra came with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim included an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Limited trims featured an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless device charging. The N Line and Limited trims also had Hyundai Digital Key, allowing keyless entry and start via an Android-compatible smartphone.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with advanced technology. The 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen interface for the MBUX infotainment system offered superior image quality and energy efficiency. The 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel provided crisp imagery and customizable themes. The optional 3D instrument cluster added depth and visual interest. The standard augmented video for navigation superimposed directions over real-time video, and the available augmented reality head-up display projected information onto the windshield. The Burmester 3D Surround sound system delivered high-fidelity audio, with an optional 4D system adding headrest speakers. The EQ Boost system and rear-axle steering enhanced the driving experience.

The Hyundai Elantra came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, 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 system, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims offered 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.

The Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with numerous safety and driver assistance features. Magic Vision Control adjusted windshield spray based on various factors. Driver assistance features included adaptive cruise control, active stop-and-go assist, active steering assist, active brake assist, active speed limit assist, active blind-spot assist, active lane-keeping assist, and active parking assist. The Pre-Safe system prepared the car for imminent collisions. The S-Class also had car-to-x communication, sharing road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags were available for added safety.