2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, which debuted in 2021. This redesign gave the Elantra a bold and striking appearance, moving away from its previous unassuming look. The new design featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The Elantra's exterior styling was unique, with distinctive creases and folds on the doors creating a "Z" shape, setting it apart from its competitors. Inside, the Elantra's interior was much improved, offering material quality slightly above the norm for the compact car class, despite some hard plastics. The Elantra was available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with the N Line offering sporty styling elements and a black interior.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern and coupe-like exterior into 2022. It resembled a downsized Altima, showcasing Nissan's current design language. The Sentra's interior was a highlight, featuring a modern and functional layout with easy-to-use controls and an upscale look. The front cabin design was complemented by a touchscreen rising from the dash, serving as the visual centerpiece. The Sentra was available in S, SV, and SR trims, with the SR trim offering additional features like LED headlights, sport cloth seats, and a Midnight Edition package with dark accents. The Sentra's interior provided spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom in the front and decent space in the rear.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options, starting 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). This setup was adequate for most buyers, though it lacked power during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine combined with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque. The N Line trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and FWD. While not outstanding, the Sentra's engine provided solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory performance on the highway. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance-focused car. The suspension effectively absorbed most road bumps, making it suitable for commuting and road trips. The Sentra's performance was consistent, offering a balanced driving experience in both high and low-speed settings.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces, with clearly marked controls and ample storage options. The Elantra's interior provided comfortable seating, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. The Elantra excelled in providing excellent outward visibility and accommodating small families, with adequate rear seat space for children. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, though the sloping roofline created a narrow trunk opening. Some drawbacks included a droning noise from the moonroof and a lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, with a standard 60/40 split-fold rear bench for expanded cargo capacity. The Sentra's trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra's interior featured spacious seating, with ample headroom and legroom in the front and decent space in the rear. The front row offered large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, along with a center console with cupholders and trays for gear storage.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a range of technology features, including an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The N Line and Limited trims featured Hyundai Digital Key for Android users. The infotainment system was user-friendly, though the six-speaker audio system's performance was only adequate.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a USB port and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with similar features. The infotainment system was easy to navigate, with conventional hard buttons and volume/tuning dials. However, the graphics could use updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Higher trims added features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with the Limited trim's LED headlights receiving a "Good" rating.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features such as forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. Additional features included a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and "Good" ratings from the IIHS, along with a "Top Safety Pick" award.