2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Lexus IS

Nearly 15 years ago, the original 2008 Lexus IS F debuted with a normally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 417 horsepower and 371 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Priced at $56,000, it was a memorable car for driving enthusiasts. Fast forward to 2022, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance arrived with a similar formula but with enhanced power. Its 5.0-liter V8 engine delivered 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, still channeled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. The base price was $56,500, plus a $1,075 destination charge.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance maintained the spirit of its predecessor, offering an emotional thrill ride when driven hard and comfort in daily driving. However, it came with a significant price premium over the IS 350 F Sport and IS 300. The test car, equipped with Premium trim and Iridium paint, totaled $62,575. The IS 500 featured minor exterior modifications, exclusive 19-inch wheels, and a raised hood to accommodate the V8 engine. Inside, it shared similarities with the IS 350 F Sport, including a quality interior and a wide touchscreen display. However, the touchpad controller on the center console remained a drawback.

The Hyundai Elantra had long been a wallflower in the automotive world, blending in without drawing much attention. That changed with the 2021 redesign, which gave the seventh-generation Elantra a striking new look. The new Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. Its exterior styling, reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, had its own unique personality, with distinctive creases and folds creating a "Z" shape on the doors.

The interior of the Elantra also saw significant improvements, with material quality slightly above the norm for the compact car class. While some hard plastics were present, the overall look and feel were commendable, especially considering the starting price of around $20,000. The 2022 Elantra was available in four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with the Elantra Hybrid offered in Blue and Limited trims. The N Line, with its sporty styling elements and turbocharged engine, provided a more engaging driving experience. Our test car, a Scarlet Red Pearl 2022 Elantra N Line, featured sporty design elements, N Line sport seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was a rear-wheel-drive powerhouse, featuring a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine, shared with the RC F and LC 500, made the IS 500 a formidable performer. The car weighed 11 pounds less than the RC F coupe and 143 pounds less than the GS F sedan, with a weight distribution of 56% over the front wheels and 44% over the rear. The eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission and limited-slip differential were standard, with driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport+.

The IS 500's adaptive variable suspension and Yamaha rear performance damper provided a comfortable ride and greater stability. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The car's brakes were upgraded for better cooling and performance, and the suspension offered a blend of compliance and communication. The 5.0-liter V8 engine delivered a throaty, seductive note, but the car's road noise on the freeway was unexpected. Fuel efficiency was a downside, with an average of 17.7 mpg during evaluation, falling short of the EPA rating of 20 mpg combined.

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 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. 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, aimed at driving enthusiasts, had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The DCT-equipped N Line featured Drive Mode Select with Normal, Sport, and Smart modes. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link independent rear suspension provided confident handling. The N Line's front brake rotors were larger, enhancing stopping power. Overall, the N Line offered a compelling package, though the sport seats were less comfortable on long drives.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 excelled in comfort, with effective air conditioning and seat ventilation systems. The front seats were snug yet comfortable, with excellent thigh support and a driving position that fostered intimacy with the controls. The rear seats were adequate for average-height adults, with rear air conditioning vents but no smartphone charging. Storage was decent, though the touchpad controller on the center console took up valuable space. The trunk space was limited at 10.8 cubic feet. The control layout was excellent, with buttons, knobs, and clear lettering, making the touchscreen infotainment system easy to use.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was easy to live with, thanks to its compact size and clear instrumentation. The seats were comfortable, though the N Line's low seating position made entry and exit a bit challenging. The Elantra offered excellent outward visibility and ample storage options. On a 700-mile trip with three kids, the back seat proved surprisingly accommodating, though taller adults would prefer the front seats due to limited headroom in the rear. The trunk space was 14.2 cubic feet, adequate for a weekend's worth of luggage. However, the trunk's narrow opening made it challenging to reach the area closest to the seatbacks. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and rear air conditioning vents were minor irritations.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 featured a touchscreen infotainment display, solving previous ergonomic issues. The controls and touchscreen were logical and intuitive, and the dynamic voice command system was outstanding. Standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The IS 500 Premium added a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation system, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, 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 offered Hyundai Digital Key for Android-compatible smartphones.

The 2022 Lexus IS came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 (LSS+ 2.5), a comprehensive package of safety features. These included driving assistance, collision warning, and collision-prevention technologies. The lane-departure warning system, adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, and other features generally worked well. However, the Curve Speed Reduction function and low-speed automatic braking could be overly aggressive. The Lexus IS earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra's standard SmartSense suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features included driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims offered intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings in all six IIHS crash tests. However, lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating, while the Limited trim with LED headlights earned a "Good" rating.