2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Toyota Camry

In the past, the Hyundai Elantra might have been viewed as a nondescript sedan that blended into the background. That perception took a significant turn with the 2021 model year redesign. Hyundai transformed the seventh-generation Elantra, giving it a bold new look that stood out. This redesign featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and a lower roofline, bestowing upon the Elantra a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette.

Its design was strikingly reminiscent of the larger Hyundai Sonata but managed to carve out its own identity. The Elantra's aggressive exterior, adorned with distinctive creases and folds forming a "Z" shape on the doors, set it apart from other compact sedans and Hyundai's lineup.

Inside, the Elantra's cabin saw notable improvements with above-average material quality for its class. Although some critics pointed out the prevalence of hard plastics, the overall look and feel were commendable, especially considering its starting price of around $20,000. The car's interior boasted advanced tech features across its four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited. Each trim level catered to different tastes, from basic practicality to sporty elegance.

Our test vehicle was the Scarlet Red Pearl Elantra N Line. The N Line trim added sporty touches without the high-performance upgrades of the Elantra N model. These included N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, 18-inch alloy wheels, sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, giving the car a sporty and premium feel.

In evaluating the 2022 Toyota Camry, the entry was anything but routine. This car drew unexpected attention, particularly our test vehicle clad in eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, exclusive to the performance-tuned Camry TRD model. The paint job was part of a suite of updates for the 2022 model year, which included standard heated side mirrors and dual-zone automatic climate control for most trims.

The Camry lineup offered 13 different versions, ranging from the base LE to the upscale XSE, with prices starting just over $26,000 and going up to nearly $37,000. A variety of powertrains was available, including a four-cylinder, a V6, and a fuel-efficient hybrid.

Our test model was the TRD with a sticker price of $35,470. The TRD trim featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and a host of other sporty enhancements, making it impossible to mistake for any other Camry variant.

Despite the sporty exterior and aggressive design cues, opinions on the Camry's look were mixed. It was a significant departure from the bland designs of previous generations, which some critics appreciated, while others found it polarizing.

Inside, the TRD sported a distinctive but contentious red-illuminated gauge cluster. The seating, although without additional bolstering, still provided a sporty, low-slung driving position. However, the fixed rear seatback in the TRD was a letdown, limiting its practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered various powertrain options, setting it apart from most compact sedans. The standard engine for SE, SEL, and Limited trims was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. This combination delivered adequate performance for daily driving, though it felt underpowered during hard acceleration.

For those prioritizing fuel economy, the Elantra Hybrid impressed with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine combined with an electric motor, producing a total of 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. It also featured a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that made driving more engaging.

The Elantra N Line catered to driving enthusiasts with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine could be paired with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT with paddle shifters and drive mode select. Our test car had the DCT, which, although slightly clunky at low rpms, delivered crisp shifts and fun driving dynamics at higher speeds.

Sport-tuned suspension, multi-link rear suspension, and larger front brake rotors enhanced the N Line's ride and handling. While the sport seats offered excellent lateral support, they compromised long-distance comfort due to their low seating position and minimal lumbar cushioning.

Under the hood, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD boasted a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The TRD featured a Sport mode and paddle shifters, enhancing throttle response and steering effort. EPA estimated combined fuel economy was 25 mpg, and we achieved an impressive 24.8 mpg during rigorous testing.

The TRD was not an average Camry. It delivered "track-tuned" driving dynamics with stiffer sway bars, TRD shocks, and larger brakes. Additionally, it had a sport dual exhaust system and 19-inch performance tires.

Though it lacked all-wheel drive, the Camry TRD's powerful V6 provided thrilling acceleration and a pleasing exhaust note. Despite its front-wheel-drive setup, the TRD's structural bracing and performance suspension made for a fun drive on winding roads, though a tendency to push in corners was noted.

The suspension communicated well with the driver without compromising ride comfort, and the brake pedal feel was excellent, showing no signs of fade, even under hard braking conditions.

The Elantra struck a balance between stylish design and functionality. Its compact size made it ideal for navigating tight spaces, and the controls were intuitive. Inside, it offered good outward visibility and comfortable seating, though the low seating position in the N Line made ingress and egress challenging.

During a 700-mile family trip, the rear seat comfortably accommodated three children, with minimal complaints due to adequate legroom. However, taller adults might find headroom lacking due to the sloping roofline.

The Elantra's trunk, with 14.2 cubic feet of space, was adequate but less than some competitors. It easily held luggage for weekend trips, but the narrow trunk opening posed a challenge for loading larger items. Additionally, the trunk lid support arms could crush items in their path.

One drawback was the moonroof, which produced an annoying droning noise when fully open. Also, the lack of USB ports and rear air vents was a common complaint among back-seat passengers.

The Camry TRD's interior featured sporty accents, but the seats did not offer extra bolstering compared to the standard models. Despite this, the driving position was comfortable, thanks to power-adjustable front seats and minimal body roll during spirited driving.

While the Camry's back seat was not the roomiest among midsize sedans, it could comfortably accommodate two adults. However, the TRD's rear seat did not fold down due to enhanced structural rigidity, limiting cargo flexibility.

The Camry's trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly more than the Elantra, but still on the smaller side compared to other midsize sedans. The generous in-cabin storage, particularly the large bin under the center armrest, partially made up for this shortcoming.

Hyundai equipped the Elantra with impressive technology for its price. The base SE trim came with an 8-inch touchscreen, rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, four speakers, and dual USB ports. Upgrading to higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link services.

Limited trims received a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless charging. However, only wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger screen.

Our Elantra N Line test car seamlessly integrated an iPhone via Apple CarPlay, and the infotainment system was user-friendly. While the six-speaker audio system was decent, it did not match the Bose systems in other Hyundai models.

The Camry TRD came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, which included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect subscription services. The screen size was small by modern standards, but the physical knobs and shortcut buttons eased usability.

An optional 9-inch touchscreen with additional Remote Connect and Service Connect plans, as well as a 9-speaker JBL audio system, was available. The JBL system had bass-heavy, occasionally brassy sound quality, but was acceptable for the price.

Toyota did not offer dynamic connected navigation or voice recognition in the TRD. Instead, integrated Siri or Google Assistant via smartphone connected through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was available.

The Elantra came with Hyundai's SmartSense safety suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance, driver-attention warning, rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Warning.

Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded the Elantra five stars overall, with four stars in front crash protection and five stars in side crash protection and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) also gave it top "Good" ratings in all six crash tests but rated lower trims "Marginal" for headlight performance.

Every Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, lane departure warning, and automatic high beams. The Camry TRD also included a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert.

The lane-departure warning system and lane-centering function could be overly sensitive, causing occasional irritation. Adaptive cruise control also unnecessarily reduced speed in curves.

Safety Connect, standard on all Camry models, provided automatic collision notification, emergency assistance, and a stolen vehicle locator. The Camry earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA in every category.