2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan segment, thanks to Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language and Parametric surfacing. Its sharp creases and dramatic angles gave it a distinctive and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to help the Elantra stand out and break conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra’s styling was more attractive with higher trim levels, and the interior, especially in the Limited or Hybrid Limited trims, offered a modern and upscale look with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i, featured a more traditional yet sporty design. The M340i came with power-adjustable front sport seats that provided ample support and a perfect driving position. The rear seats offered enough legroom for four relatively tall passengers, though the center rear seat was less practical. The 3 Series also boasted a 17 cubic-foot trunk and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The interior was driver-focused but not snug, providing a comfortable and practical environment for both driver and passengers.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options. The standard 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. It returned 31.4 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA estimate of 35 mpg. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and achieved 42.2 mpg in combined driving. The sporty Elantra N Line featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering a fun driving experience with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, provided an exhilarating drive with advanced features like an electronic limited-slip differential and electronically controlled suspension.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i was equipped with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. It returned 24.9 mpg on the evaluation route, close to the EPA rating of 26 mpg. The M340i accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and featured an eight-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode and paddle shifters. The car’s M Sport suspension, variable sport steering, and optional Adaptive M Suspension contributed to its exceptional handling and driving dynamics. The M340i provided a thrilling driving experience, making it a perfect tool for carving canyons with precision and grace.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offering a roomy interior. The driver’s seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle could be improved. The Elantra’s trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, and some versions included a hands-free trunk lid release. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. The rear seats offered enough legroom for four relatively tall passengers, though the center rear seat was less practical. The car came with a three-zone automatic climate control system, and the Premium package added a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. The 3 Series had a 17 cubic-foot trunk and a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the lack of ventilated front seats was an odd omission.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in SE, SEL, and N Line trims. The Limited trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation screen, though it lost wireless smartphone integration. The Limited Hybrid’s voice recognition system was inconsistent, but a Hyundai spokesperson demonstrated better performance in another car. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium sound system and Hyundai Digital Key for Android-based smartphones.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series came standard with Live Cockpit Professional, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation. BMW iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, offering multiple control options, including a gesture control system. The 3 Series included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. The Connected Package Pro technology provided BMW Remote Services and Intelligent Personal Assistant for conversational voice recognition. The optional Premium package added a head-up display, though it could be challenging to read with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came standard with SmartSense, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional safety features included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist, offering a high level of smoothness and accuracy.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard with forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and city-speed automatic emergency braking. The optional Driving Assistance package added a blind-spot monitoring system, while the Driving Assistance Professional package included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.