2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan segment with its bold and distinctive design, a result of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language. The car featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, making it easily recognizable. A unique Z-shaped dent in the doors, as explained by Hyundai's senior designer Davis Lee, was intended to break conventional design rules and give the Elantra a unique character. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trim levels, offering a range of options from the base Essential to the high-performance Elantra N. Inside, the Elantra boasted a driver-focused dashboard and centre console, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale look with light gray interiors that contrasted with the otherwise black cabin.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 5 Series maintained a more restrained design, lacking the flamboyance of the 3 Series or the imposing size of the 7 Series. The 5 Series received a minor styling refresh for 2021, resulting in a sleeker look with streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet not overly large, twin-kidney grille. The interior retained the familiar BMW layout, with details like the touchscreen positioning and shifter typefaces contributing to the brand's identity. While the 5 Series offered luxury, the materials in lower trims were not as high-end, with standard SensaTec upholstery. The 540i xDrive test car featured Nappa leather and aluminum trim, enhancing the high-end feel, though the sport steering wheel felt out of place in the otherwise luxurious interior.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency. The Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine generating 276 horsepower. The Elantra N's driving experience was exhilarating, with features like an electronic limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled suspension enhancing its performance.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a variety of powertrains, starting with the 530i's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 248 horsepower. The 540i featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivering 335 horsepower. The M550i xDrive and M5 models offered even more power, with the M550i's twin-turbo V8 producing 523 horsepower and the M5's version delivering 617 horsepower. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-litre engine with an electric motor, offering 288 horsepower and the ability to drive on electric power alone. The 540i xDrive test car provided precise handling and a smooth engine, though it felt more like a luxury car than a true driver's car.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offered a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver's seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom, though the backrest shape lacked upper back support. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the absence of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a sedan in Canada, provided a spacious interior with competitive front-seat space and ample rear-seat room. The 540i's trunk offered 396 litres of space, with a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench for longer items. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with heating and ventilation, though forward visibility was hindered by the long hood. A surround-view camera system aided in parking.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Ultimate trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster, though it lacked wireless smartphone integration. The Elantra also included a Bose premium audio system and a dynamic voice recognition system, though the latter performed inconsistently in the Ultimate Hybrid.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came with a standard 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The iDrive 7 system offered Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile feel, while voice control and gesture controls were also available. However, the layout of the instrument cluster could be confusing, with a power meter replacing the tachometer in non-sport modes.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most models included Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, offering features like forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Higher trims added cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Drive Assist, providing a high level of safety in the compact car segment.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and traffic-jam assist, with BMW's driver-assist tech offering smooth operation and sophistication.