2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Volkswagen Jetta

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 exterior styling, reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, featured unique creases and folds that created a distinctive "Z" shape on the doors, adding character and differentiating it from its competitors. Inside, the Elantra's material quality and design were above average for its class, despite some hard plastics. The N Line trim added sporty elements like 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.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta, while visually inoffensive, lacked the clean design symmetry of its predecessors. The Jetta's conservative styling aimed for timeless appeal but fell short of the simple beauty seen in earlier models. Inside, the Jetta SEL trim channeled the luxury of the VW Group’s Audi brand with ambient lighting, genuine leather upholstery, an oversized power sunroof, and larger screens for digital instrumentation and infotainment. The interior felt upscale and delivered emotional value at a price under $30,000, but the overall design did not stand out as much as the Elantra's.

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. 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 with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). The N Line trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link independent rear suspension provided smoother, more confident handling, making it a compelling package for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The S and Sport trims came with a six-speed manual transmission, while the SE and SEL trims had an eight-speed automatic. The automatic transmission had a noticeable delay in acceleration, which could be irritating, but the manual transmission likely provided better control. The Jetta SEL's all-season tires impressed with their performance, and the car's accurate steering, faithful brakes, and predictable handling made it enjoyable to drive. However, the Jetta's powertrain performance required some acclimation to avoid undesirable driving characteristics.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was easy to live with, thanks to its compact size, clear instrumentation, and ample storage options. The N Line's low seating position made entry and exit a bit challenging, but once inside, the Elantra offered excellent visibility and a comfortable ride. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. The trunk provided 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, adequate for most needs, though the narrow trunk opening could be challenging. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof had a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and rear air conditioning vents were minor inconveniences.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta straddled the compact and midsize sedan segments, comfortably accommodating four adults with generous interior storage space and a cavernous trunk offering 14.1 cubic feet of cargo space. The Jetta SEL featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel, making it easy to get comfortable. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, but the Jetta's higher ground clearance made entry and exit easier. The rear seat provided ample legroom and comfort, though rear air conditioning vents were absent. The Jetta's trunk was well-shaped and easy to load, accommodating full-size suitcases and longer items with the 60/40-split folding back seat.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim included an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The N Line and Limited trims featured Hyundai Digital Key, allowing keyless operation via an Android-compatible smartphone. The infotainment system was easy to use, though the six-speaker audio system was only adequate.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SEL featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro instrumentation panel and an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with proximity sensing, knobs for volume and menu functions, and shortcut tiles. The infotainment system required more inputs to change radio stations, and the voice recognition system was basic without Car-Net connected service upgrades. Car-Net provided access to a Wi-Fi hotspot, remote engine starting, and other features for the first five years of ownership. The SEL trim included a Beats Audio premium sound system, which was not particularly satisfying compared to previous Fender systems.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came with a comprehensive SmartSense suite of driver-assist technologies, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Higher trims added features like 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, though lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating.

The 2023 Volkswagen Jetta SE and SEL came with the IQ.Drive package, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, Travel Assist, and Emergency Assist. Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control with lane-centering for semi-autonomous driving, while Emergency Assist could brake the car to a safe stop if the driver was unresponsive. The Jetta received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but earned four stars for frontal-impact protection. The IIHS rated the Jetta's safety as Poor in a new moderate overlap frontal-impact crash test and was unimpressed with the car's headlights.