2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan segment with its bold and distinctive design, thanks to Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language. The car featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, creating an appealing and unique look. A notable design element was the Z-shaped dent in the doors, which broke conventional design rules and added character to the vehicle. The Elantra's interior varied in quality depending on the trim level, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale feel with its light gray seats and contrasting black cabin. However, lower-grade interiors were less impressive, with drab black finishes and noticeable glossy plastic.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger, built on a platform dating back to 2005, maintained a modern and menacing exterior design, especially after its 2015 facelift. While the exterior was updated, the interior felt dated, with thick bezels and chunky buttons reminiscent of older designs. Despite this, the Charger offered ease of use with its straightforward layout. The Charger came in various trims, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak models, each offering different levels of power and features. The Hellcat Widebody variant, in particular, transformed the Charger into a well-rounded performance machine with its supercharged V8 engine and enhanced handling capabilities.

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. While the standard engine provided adequate power for city driving, it 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 varied due to driving conditions. The Elantra N Line and Elantra N models offered more spirited performance, 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. The Elantra N, in particular, provided an exhilarating driving experience with its advanced suspension and performance features.

The 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with a 3.6-litre V6 producing up to 300 horsepower in the SXT AWD and GT trims. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower, while the Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower. The Charger SRT Hellcat and Redeye models took performance to another level with their supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8 engines, producing 717 and 797 horsepower, respectively. The Jailbreak model pushed the limits further with 807 horsepower. The Hellcat's Widebody setup improved handling and allowed the Charger to put its immense power to the ground effectively. The Charger excelled in straight-line speed, with the Hellcat and Redeye achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

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, comparable to the larger Sonata sedan, though headroom was limited. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, a large sedan, provided generous legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience. The Charger offered 467 litres of trunk space, though the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger provided sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it a versatile option.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster, though wireless smartphone integration was lost with this upgrade. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system and a 64-colour ambient lighting system, enhancing the cabin's appeal.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its user-friendly interface. An 8.4-inch version was available on higher trims, offering larger icons for easier use. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology blended well with conventional controls, providing a straightforward user experience.

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

The 2022 Dodge Charger lagged in standard safety features, offering only a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional safety features included forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. The Charger received a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test but earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.