Hyundai Sonata vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

In the early years of the Hyundai Sonata's existence, it was clear that Hyundai aimed to emulate leaders in the midsize car segment, particularly the Honda Accord. Both cars bore a striking resemblance, down to the capital "H" badge, leading to criticisms of the Sonata having a lack of originality and quality issues.

However, Hyundai learned valuable lessons through this imitation, continually improving quality and design while maintaining a more affordable price point. Each new generation added more flair and personality, culminating in the seventh-generation Sonata, launched in 2020. This iteration featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline. The interior of the 2022 Sonata offered a spacious and functional cabin for five passengers with clear gauges and dials. The material quality was average, and while the leather seats in the Limited trim provided comfort and support, the tan upholstery was not universally liked.

For those desiring a sportier look, the Sonata N Line provided aggressive styling with revised fascias, gloss black accents, LED taillights, and dual exhausts. Inside, the N Line featured dark chrome trim, red stitching, and sport seats with premium leather bolsters and suede inserts, making it a more enticing option for style-conscious buyers.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class took inspiration from other Mercedes models, resulting in a cohesive and stylish design recognizable as part of the Mercedes family. The front end mirrored the CLA-Class, while the rear was reminiscent of the S-Class. A cab-rearward proportion emphasized its RWD platform, distinguishing it from the FWD-based CLA-Class and A-Class. LED headlights and taillights were standard, with an optional Digital Light system that could project warning icons and illuminate specific zones without blinding pedestrians.

The interior of the C-Class aimed for a mini S-Class experience, featuring freestanding touchscreen and instrument cluster, prominent air vents, intricate speaker grilles for the Burmester audio system, and 64-color ambient lighting. Despite synthetic leather upholstery being standard, higher trims offered Nappa leather. The C-Class interior distinctly made a case for luxury over mainstream brands.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata showcased a dual personality in terms of performance. The base engine was a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, providing reliable but unexciting performance. The SEL Plus and Limited trims used a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, offering a smooth and competent ride without being overly thrilling.

The Sonata N Line, however, was a different beast. It boasted a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT), and sport suspension. This setup delivered an energetic and spirited drive, making it a standout in the performance department.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C300 featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. It was coupled with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that added 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque in short bursts. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 130 mph, but suffered from occasional turbo lag and rough shifts.

A sportier AMG C43 version was available, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. This version achieved zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds with a higher top speed of up to 165 mph with optional wheels.

In terms of ride quality, the C300 offered a comfortable ride with good body control and precise steering. It handled well on twisty roads but required deliberate effort to maneuver, displaying less finesse compared to the best sports sedans.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, making it one of the most spacious cabins in the midsize segment. The EPA classified it as a "Large Car," with ample front-seat headroom and legroom. However, rear-seat space was adequate but not exceptional, comfortable for two adults, but cramped for a third occupant.

The Sonata's trunk measured 16 cubic feet, providing generous cargo capacity, though slightly less than the Honda Accord's 16.7 cubic feet. A notable feature was the Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the car to drive itself in and out of tight parking spots using the key fob, an impressive and amusing convenience.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan, while larger and wider than its predecessor, offered slightly improved interior space. Headroom increased by 0.1 inch in front and 0.4 inch in back, with an 0.8-inch boost in rear-seat legroom. This made the C-Class a leader in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom among its competitors. However, front legroom lagged behind.

The C-Class's seats were both comfortable and supportive, with excellent forward visibility but compromised rear visibility due to thick pillars. It had a trunk capacity of 17.9 cubic feet, leading its class. The trunk's wide opening and 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench added to its practicality.

The Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied with trim levels. The base SE came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, USB port, 12-volt outlet, and a rearview camera. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services.

Higher trims like the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The 2022 SEL trim included features from the previous year's Tech package: 10.25-inch nav system, Bose audio, Highway Driving Assist, LED interior lights, and a panoramic sunroof.

The Bose audio system was praised for its power and clarity. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was quick, enhancing hands-free calling and messaging.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured an S-Class-inspired infotainment system with a freestanding 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard. The mid-tier C300 Premium added a Burmester 3D surround-sound system, and the top C300 Pinnacle included a head-up display and augmented-reality navigation system.

The MBUX infotainment system with the "Zero Layer" setup allowed multiple functions to be displayed simultaneously, reducing menu scrolling. Voice recognition was highly effective, and touch controls on the steering wheel were intuitive. The augmented-reality navigation system provided precise turn instructions, enhancing usability.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came with a comprehensive standard safety package across all trims, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high beams, rearview monitor, and Rear Occupant Alert system.

Higher trims like the SEL and Limited added features such as blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot view monitor, rear park assist, and surround-view monitor. Despite being equipped with numerous driving aids, the system worked seamlessly without false alarms.

The NHTSA awarded the 2022 Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, with high ratings in individual tests. The IIHS had not yet rated the 2022 model but gave the 2021 Sonata top ratings in crash tests and front crash prevention.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class also featured numerous safety technologies, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring with safe exit assist, driver-attention monitor, Pre-Safe, and Pre-Safe Sound.

Optional safety features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera system, dashcam, park assist, and two levels of Distronic adaptive cruise control. The C-Class also offered Car-to-X communication, sharing information between vehicles to provide warnings about road conditions.