2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra had undergone a significant transformation from its previous iterations. Previously, the Elantra's design was unremarkable, blending into the background without drawing much attention. However, the 2021 redesign brought a striking new look, giving the seventh-generation Elantra a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. This new design was reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan but with unique styling elements, such as the "Z" shape created by the creases and folds on the doors, which added character and differentiation.

Inside, the Elantra's interior saw notable improvements in material quality, look, and feel, slightly above the norm for the compact car class. While some hard plastics were present, the overall interior quality was commendable, especially considering the car's starting price of around $20,000. The 2022 Elantra was available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with the high-performance Elantra N reviewed separately. The N Line trim, in particular, featured sporty styling elements such as N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, along with sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, retained much of its design from the 2015 update, which included a sleeker nose and sharper LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger managed to look distinct and modern compared to competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The base Charger was somewhat plain, but the V8 models, especially the R/T Scatpack with the widebody kit, had a commanding presence. The widebody kit included flared fenders, 305-mm-wide tires on 20-inch wheels, a large hood scoop, and deep-dish bronze wheels. The Swinger variant added unique elements like black brake calipers, F8 Green paint, and retro decals and badges.

Inside, the Charger's interior felt dated, with chunky seats, analog gauges, and a small touchscreen. The materials were not top-notch, and even with Nappa leather and Alcantara seats, the interior did not feel upscale. The Swinger variant included green stitching and unique badges, but overall, the interior was basic and adequate for the car's purpose.

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). This combination was adequate for most buyers, though it lacked power during hard acceleration. 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 Hybrid used a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) for a more engaging driving experience.

The N Line trim catered to driving enthusiasts with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. It offered a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT with manual shift mode and paddle shifters. The N Line also featured sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts, along with a multi-link independent rear suspension for better handling. The N Line's front brake rotors were larger, providing more stopping power. Overall, the N Line delivered a compelling driving experience, though the sport seats could be uncomfortable on long drives.

The 2023 Dodge Charger came standard with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 292 or 300 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of torque, depending on the trim. This engine was paired with an exceptional ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, which provided smooth and quick shifts. The V6 was the only engine available with all-wheel drive (AWD), though the AWD system was not particularly effective in winter or wet conditions.

The Charger offered several V8 options. The R/T model featured a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the Scatpack models, including the Swinger, had a 6.4-liter V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat models boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, producing 717 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, or 807 hp and 707 lb-ft in the Redeye Jailbreak variant. The Hellcats were capable of 200 mph but had poor fuel efficiency, averaging around 10 mpg.

The Charger's handling was a high point, with good front-end grip, minimal body roll, and precise steering. The ride quality was agreeable, and braking was exceptional, especially on Scat Pack Widebody trims and above, which featured six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembos.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed with practicality in mind. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and the instrumentation and controls were clearly marked and easy to use. The Elantra offered plenty of storage options, and the seats were comfortable, though the N Line's low seating position made entry and exit a bit challenging. The Elantra provided excellent outward visibility and ample rear-seat space for children, though taller adults might find the rear headroom lacking due to the sloped roofline. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, which was adequate for most needs, though the narrow trunk opening could be a challenge.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its large size, felt tight inside. Headroom was adequate, but the footwells were cramped, and the transmission tunnel reduced rear legroom. Rear headroom was also limited. The trunk, however, was spacious, offering 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space. The Charger's controls were straightforward and easy to use, with large buttons and switches for climate control, lighting, and audio systems. The touchscreen and central screen on the instrument panel were user-friendly and did not require deep menu digging.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited and Hybrid Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging. However, only wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger touchscreen. The N Line and Limited trims also included Hyundai Digital Key for Android-compatible smartphones.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features found in other Stellantis vehicles. The 8.4-inch touchscreen was small but redeemed itself with fast, logical menus and clear legibility. It included wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, voice recognition, and SiriusXM. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed full customization of various performance settings, including throttle, steering, dampers, transmission, and more. The Performance Pages feature provided real-time data on power, torque, and other sensors, while Hellcat models included additional cooling functions for the supercharger.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, 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 added intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, 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 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars for driver and passenger frontal crash protection, four stars for side barrier and pole intrusion tests, and five stars for rear passenger side tests. However, it received four stars overall. The IIHS gave the Charger top "Good" ratings in many categories, though these were based on the 2015 Chrysler 300. Standard safety features were limited to rear parking sensors and a backup camera. Optional features included forward collision warning with emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.