2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. The hybrid powertrain added a premium of about $3,000 to $4,000 over the non-hybrid models. The Accord Hybrid was not offered in a Sport trim. The car was praised for its design, showcasing a balance of proportion, stance, style, and detailing that was not commonly seen in Hondas. Minor front styling updates included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, which, while attractive, were difficult to clean. The interior of the Accord Hybrid was noted for its upscale appearance, with high-quality materials and well-organized controls. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was user-friendly, and the car offered excellent outward visibility.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign in 2021, transforming its appearance and giving it a unique personality. The seventh-generation Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The exterior styling was distinct, with a "Z" shape created by the creases and folds on the doors. The interior was also improved, with material quality slightly above the norm for the compact car class. The Elantra was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the N Line offering sporty styling elements. The N Line featured N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it had sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a black headliner, contributing to a sporty look and feel.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a generator/starter motor and an electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, providing quick acceleration from a standstill. The car achieved a fuel efficiency of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a slightly higher average of 5.5 L/100 km during testing. The powertrain operated in three modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, with additional driver-selectable modes like EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport Mode. The Accord Hybrid's suspension was tuned for athletic handling, and the brake-by-wire regenerative braking system offered excellent feel and response.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The standard engine on Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, producing 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The N Line trim had a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension provided confident handling, while the larger front brake rotors offered more stopping power. The N Line's drive modes—Normal, Sport, and Smart—allowed for a tailored driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid impressed with its spacious interior, offering a full-size sedan experience in a midsize package. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and large back seat provided ample leg support, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats in the Touring trim. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin, hidden storage compartments, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, accommodating full-size suitcases and featuring 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added utility.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed for ease of use, with clear instrumentation and controls. Despite its compact size, the Elantra offered comfortable seating and excellent visibility. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. The Elantra's trunk provided 402 litres of cargo space, with a narrow opening due to the sloping roofline. The trunk could hold a surprising amount of gear with careful packing. However, the power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added a head-up display, navigation with bilingual voice recognition, and wireless smartphone charging. The system required specific prompts for voice commands, and the navigation system struggled with certain tasks, such as locating the nearest hospital.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered impressive technology for its price. The base Essential trim included an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The N Line trim tested had the 8-inch display and six-speaker setup, with easy wireless pairing and seamless Apple CarPlay integration. The audio system was adequate, though not as refined as the Bose systems in other Hyundai models.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to improve its safety ratings by redesigning its LED headlights to meet Top Safety Pick+ standards. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Touring trim added low-speed braking control and front and rear automatic emergency braking. The Honda Sensing suite included adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, though some features were still intrusive.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with automatic emergency braking standard across all trims. Other features, such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning, were standard on most trims. The Elantra received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. However, lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS.