2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The design evolution of the 2022 Hyundai Elantra was a significant departure from its previous rental-car looks. Before the seventh-generation redesign in the 2021 model year, the Elantra wasn’t known for making bold visual statements. It inconspicuously blended into the background of suburban streets and urban roads alike, avoiding unwanted attention.

But with the 2021 redesign, everything changed. The Elantra received a striking new look, complete with a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, which delivered a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. This design was rich in character, with various creases and folds on the door panels creating a distinctive "Z" shape. This detail set the Elantra apart not only from its previous iterations but also from competitors in the compact sedan segment. The sporty exterior styling of the N Line trim, including chrome twin-tip exhaust and 18-inch alloy wheels, further underscored this transformation.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, however, had been making its own strides in breaking away from its historically conservative styling. Since its 2019 launch in hatchback form and 2020 in sedan form, the Corolla embraced a more extroverted design. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille that sought to distance itself from Toyota's 'boring' reputation.

Different trims showcased distinct styling elements. The SE and XSE models had an aggressive front fascia, while Nightshade Editions sported blacked-out trim, and Apex Editions offered a subtle body kit with bronze accents. Our SE Apex Edition test car impressed with its “Fast and Furious” aesthetic, thanks to the model-specific 18-inch wheels and aggressive stance.

Inside, the Corolla's design was less adventurous but still functional. Its simple, straightforward layout suffered from a few shortcomings like easily smudged piano black plastic trim. The light gray upholstery in our test car highlighted the potential for staining, while the seats, although squishy, lacked sufficient support for long drives.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a wide variety of powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims featured a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. This combination, with Hyundai's Shift Control Strategy, aimed to simulate automatic transmission shifts, resulting in smoother operation. However, it did lack punch during hard acceleration scenarios like highway merging.

Fuel efficiency enthusiasts could opt for the Hybrid model, which combined a 1.6-liter Atkinson cycle engine with a 32-kilowatt electric motor for a total output of 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, transmitted through a six-speed DCT. This setup promised a more engaging driving experience than typical hybrids.

Drivers craving sportiness found the N Line trim appealing, thanks to its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine generating 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Offered with either a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT, it provided spirited performance, enhanced by features like sport-tuned suspension and larger front brake rotors. Although the sporty seats in the N Line prioritized lateral support, they were less comfortable on long journeys due to their firm padding and low seating position.

In contrast, the Toyota Corolla sedan was equipped with two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque. The SE and XSE trims stepped up to a 2.0-liter engine producing 169 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. A CVT was standard with both engines, though the larger engine could be paired with a six-speed manual on the SE trims, including the SE Apex Edition.

The manual transmission experience in the Apex Edition added a layer of driving enjoyment, especially when combined with model-specific suspension enhancements like lowered coil springs and solid stabilizer bars. This setup improved handling but also led to a stiffer ride, which might deter some buyers seeking comfort. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Apex Edition didn't include more substantial upgrades like better tires or brakes, exposing its limitations during more aggressive driving.

Despite its stylish exterior, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra was also practical for daily use. Its compact dimensions made maneuvering through tight spots and parking garages a breeze. The cabin offered good front visibility, and the instrumentation was user-friendly. Though the low seating position of the N Line could make ingress and egress slightly challenging, once inside, the Elantra felt spacious. Our rigorous 700-mile family trip confirmed that the Elantra’s rear seat could comfortably accommodate three children, thanks to ample legroom, though taller adults might find headroom slightly constrained by the sloping roofline.

Cargo space in the Elantra was slightly above average for the compact sedan category, with 14.2 cubic feet. Despite the trunk's somewhat narrow opening due to the sloping rear glass, it could still handle a variety of bags and equipment. However, some issues, like the noisy fully open moonroof and absence of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents, were noteworthy drawbacks.

On the other side, the 2022 Toyota Corolla didn’t provide official interior dimension specs, but it felt reasonably roomy. Its low beltline improved front visibility, although the deep dashboard and steeply raked windshield did introduce some challenges in seeing the hood's end. Adjustments like a standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helped find an ideal driving position, though knee room for taller drivers was still limited. Both front and rear seats lacked sufficient support, potentially causing discomfort over longer drives.

The Corolla’s trunk offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, falling short compared to competitors like the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra. The arrangement did include a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat and an optional power trunk release for more convenience. However, limited storage for smaller items, like the thin center console and inadequate phone tray, hampered daily usability.

Hyundai packed the Elantra with impressive tech for its price. Entry-level SE models featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and dual USB ports. Stepping up to higher trims introduced additional perks like satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, and a six-speaker system. The 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, available on the Limited and Hybrid Limited trims, added features like SiriusXM NavTraffic and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. However, these models only offered wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The Hyundai Digital Key system, standard on N Line and Limited trims, allowed Android users to unlock and start the car without a key fob. This was a noteworthy feature, although iPhone users couldn’t take advantage of it.

Pairing smartphones with the Elantra’s infotainment system was quick and easy, and the CarPlay and Android Auto integration worked smoothly. Although the six-speaker audio system was just adequate, it was enough for the car’s compact interior.

The Toyota Corolla’s technology offerings felt somewhat outdated by comparison. Standard features included a 7-inch touchscreen on the L base model and an 8-inch screen on other trims. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio were standard across all models, along with a six-speaker audio system. A more robust nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL system was available on higher trims like the XSE and XLE and some CVT-equipped SE models.

The Corolla’s infotainment interface was easy to use, thanks to home buttons for each menu and analog climate controls. However, the graphics appeared outdated, and certain functions like selecting a radio station weren’t as intuitive as competitors’ systems. Moreover, Toyota lacked features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto or novel offerings like Hyundai’s Digital Key.

Hyundai took a value-focused approach to safety with the Elantra, equipping it generously with standard features. The SmartSense suite included forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assistance. Additionally, the Elantra offered driver-attention warning, automatic high beams, a rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Warning as standard.

Higher trims added features like intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra earned a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and favorable ratings from IIHS, though only the Limited trim with LED headlights received a "Good" rating for headlights.

On the other hand, the 2022 Toyota Corolla also boasted impressive safety credentials. Both sedan and hatchback models earned IIHS' "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. The Corolla's standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. However, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was only available on select trims.