2022 Toyota Camry vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2022 Toyota Camry surprised many with its eye-catching Cavaliers Blue paint, especially noticeable on the performance-tuned Camry TRD (Toyota Racing Development) model. This unique paint color, combined with red brake calipers, red accent stripes, and a gloss black grille with a mesh insert, deviated sharply from the traditionally more reserved Camry designs. The aerodynamic body kit, including a front splitter, side skirts, pedestal-style rear spoiler, and aggressive rear diffuser panel, made the TRD model unmistakable.

Inside, the Camry TRD featured a driver-oriented center console design and unusual dashboard layout, though some styling choices like red gauge illumination and red seatbelts felt overly flashy. Overall, the TRD was polarizing, appealing to younger audiences but potentially too dramatic for traditional Camry fans.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra aimed to offer something appealing for nearly every taste. From the base SE model to the sporty Elantra N, Hyundai maintained a consistent styling language across the range. The exterior design of the Elantra was controversial, but Hyundai seemed comfortable pushing boundaries.

Inside, the Elantra Limited trim exuded style without compromising practicality. The elegant yet functional interior included light gray leather seats contrasting against a predominantly black cabin. Ambient lighting, high-tech displays, and a Melange with Gray trim added sophistication. Although hard plastic panels on the upper door panels were a minor letdown, the Elantra Limited offered a refined and upscale cabin at its price point.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Despite its sporty underpinning, with features like thicker underbody braces, stiffer sway bars, tauter springs, and TRD shocks, the TRD model retained compliance for daily driving.

However, the front-drive layout made it easy to spin the wheels under enthusiastic acceleration. With 19-inch wheels and summer performance tires, the TRD offered solid driving dynamics but would benefit from an all-wheel-drive option. During testing, it averaged 24.8 mpg, close to the EPA rating of 25 mpg. The TRD’s performance was well-rounded, combining speed with a robust, confidence-inspiring chassis.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, wasn’t about speed. Despite its modest power, the Elantra delivered unexpectedly pleasant driving dynamics. The Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) was among the best CVTs in the compact car class, contributing to an average of 33 mpg in testing, close to the EPA rating of 34 mpg.

Elantra’s handling was commendably composed, even if it lacked the outright fun of the Elantra N Line or the top-spec Elantra N. It proved stable and predictable across various driving conditions, including mountainous roads. The Elantra’s ride quality, cornering capability, and communicative suspension made it more engaging than its specs suggested, although the steering wasn’t particularly sharp, and the brakes showed some weakness under intensive use.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD’s front seats featured red accent stripes, red stitching, and TRD logos but lacked enhanced bolstering. Yet, with its sporty driving position and lack of body roll, occupants didn’t get tossed around. The car provided good in-cabin storage, but backseat comfort was compromised without rear air vents and a fixed rear seatback, reducing trunk access. The trunk measured 15.1 cubic feet, smaller compared to rivals like the Honda Civic sedan’s 14.8 cubic feet.

Conversely, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra combined style with practicality. The Elantra Limited’s six-way power driver’s seat and dual-zone automatic climate control provided comfort, although rear-seat passengers might find the slouched position less comfortable, and the lack of rear air vents and USB ports was a shortcoming. The Elantra offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space with a 60/40-split folding back seat, enhancing utility.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The option to upgrade to a 9-inch display with a JBL premium audio system and additional connected services was available. However, Toyota did not offer connected navigation and voice recognition for the TRD, making smartphone integration the best alternative.

For the 2023 Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, dynamic voice recognition, and navigation. The system supported wireless smartphone charging but required USB connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite the occasional glitch, including the voice-controlled climate system misfire, the Elantra’s technology suite was impressive for a compact car. The Limited trim also featured Bose premium audio, though sound quality was average compared to rivals.

Every 2022 Toyota Camry was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assistance, blind-spot monitoring, and Safety Connect for emergency services. However, lane-maintenance technology occasionally issued false warnings, slightly detracting from an otherwise comprehensive safety suite. The Camry earned top safety ratings, with IIHS awarding it a “Top Safety Pick+” and NHTSA bestowing five-star ratings in every category.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra excelled with a host of standard safety features, including automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and safe exit warning. The Limited trim added cyclist detection, intersection turning assist, and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist. During testing, Hyundai’s driving aids were smooth and reliable, contributing to an overall secure driving experience. Although the IIHS rating for 2023 was pending, NHTSA awarded the Elantra five stars overall.