2021 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan category, thanks to its bold and distinctive design. It embraced Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, featuring sharp creases and dramatic angles that gave it a unique and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to break conventional automotive design rules and add character to the vehicle. The Elantra's styling was further enhanced as you moved up the trim levels, with the Ultimate trim offering a particularly modern and upscale interior with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to distance itself from its more generic predecessors by incorporating more exciting styling details. While some elements like the flared wheel arches and thin headlights worked well to visually widen the car, the SE and XSE trims were criticized for their fake vents, which added unnecessary visual clutter. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of different trim elements that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite this, the Camry offered a comfortable and supportive seating experience with excellent outward visibility.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This setup provided adequate power for city driving but felt underwhelming on the highway. The Elantra Hybrid, with its 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though real-world consumption was slightly higher than expected due to mountainous terrain. The Elantra N Line and Elantra N models offered more spirited driving experiences, with the N Line's turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower and the Elantra N's 2.0-litre turbocharged engine delivering 276 horsepower. Both models featured sport-tuned suspensions and enhanced handling capabilities.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided a solid performance with its base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, offering 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in FWD configurations. The Camry XSE models received a slight power bump with a dual-exhaust system. For those seeking more power, the naturally-aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine delivered 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for a total output of 208 horsepower. The Camry's chassis tuning struck a good balance between handling and ride quality, making it enjoyable to drive, though not as sharp as some competitors. The TRD package added performance-oriented upgrades for those seeking a sportier experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with best-in-class rear-seat legroom. The front seats were height-adjustable and heated, providing comfort for the driver. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and the use of hard plastic for upper door panels were noted drawbacks. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2021 Toyota Camry provided generous rear headroom and legroom, though front headroom and legroom were below average. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent outward visibility. The Camry's trunk offered 428 litres of cargo space, which was average for the segment but less than the Honda Accord. In-cabin storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders. The Camry featured analog controls for important functions, though some controls were a long reach from the driver's seat.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, though wireless smartphone integration was lost with this upgrade. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system and a dynamic natural voice recognition system, enhancing the overall tech experience.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on the XSE and XLE trims. The Camry's infotainment system was functional, though the graphics were plain, and the touchscreen menus were easy to navigate.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most models came with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention warning system. Higher trims offered additional safety features like cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. It came standard with the TSS 2.5+ package, which included adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Camry also introduced a Rear Seat Reminder system and offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert as options.