2020 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold geometric styling from the previous year, which was a departure from its earlier Genesis Jr. design cues. This angular design was a precursor to the even more dramatic styling of the 2021 model. The Elantra was available in five trims: Essential, Preferred, Luxury, Ultimate, and Sport, with prices ranging from $17,099 to $27,549, excluding a $1,825 destination charge. The Elantra Ultimate, with its black paint job, highlighted the car's angular features and chrome detailing, resulting in a stylish appearance that might not appeal to everyone. Inside, the Elantra's interior was updated with silver trim accents, giving it a more upscale look, though some hard plastics remained, reminding occupants of its compact car status.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta, slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, presented a more upscale presence with its wide, angular grille inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan. This design was a significant departure from the previous generation's simpler appearance, aiming to bring an upscale aura to the Jetta. Inside, the Jetta continued the angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional. The seats were notably comfortable, suitable for long drives, and the interior featured a mix of soft-touch surfaces and practical design elements. The Jetta was available in Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trims, with the base Comfortline trim offering a surprising level of standard equipment.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra featured a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The CVT, known as the "Intelligent Variable Transmission," offered simulated gear shifts for a more traditional driving feel. Despite Hyundai's claims of improved fuel efficiency, real-world testing showed an average of 8.0 L/100 km, falling short of the expected 6.8 L/100 km. The Elantra Sport trim offered a more engaging driving experience with a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, along with an independent rear suspension for improved ride quality. However, the standard Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from its ride and handling, making it feel unsettled over rough surfaces.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This transmission allowed for better power management and efficiency across various speeds. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a blend of smoothness and sportiness. The ride quality was surprisingly soft over rough roads, providing a refined driving experience. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 L/100 km and the automatic 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered spacious accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person fitting in for short trips. The interior featured power driver's seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding centre console armrest for added comfort. Upper trims included dual-zone automatic climate control, though rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents. The trunk provided 407 litres of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and included a convenient interior grab handle for easy closing.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta's front seats were comfortable for long journeys, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk offered 399 litres of space, typical for the class. The interior layout prioritized functionality, with the touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easy access. The centre tray was larger due to the repositioned shifter, and the controls combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, enhancing practicality.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base Essential trim featured a 5-inch screen, while the Preferred trim offered a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Ultimate trim included an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a premium Infinity sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and volume/tuning knobs for easy operation.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta's base trim included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Execline trim featured Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel. This display allowed drivers to project navigation and other information onto a 10.25-inch screen, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered advanced driving assistance systems on the Preferred trim, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate grade added full LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with full LED headlights and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though there was a concern about rear-door intrusion in side-impact tests.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta included front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline featured automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The Jetta received a Good rating in IIHS crash tests but did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to its headlights. The NHTSA awarded the Jetta a five-star safety rating.