2022 Honda Civic vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market 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 interior varied in quality and technology depending on the trim level, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale look with its light gray seats and contrasting black cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and mature design, reminiscent of the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation Civic was less flashy than its predecessor, appealing to those who preferred a more tailored appearance. Inside, Honda focused on simplicity, with a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. The Touring trim offered improved materials and a more sophisticated interior, reflecting a maturity that the previous Civic lacked. The Civic's design changes aimed to provide a more grown-up look, appealing to a broader audience.

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 sporty 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 with 276 horsepower. The Elantra's various configurations catered to different driving preferences, from efficient hybrids to sporty performance models.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower for the LX, EX, and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 180 horsepower for the Touring trim. Both engines were paired with CVTs, featuring Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning provided a fun and engaging driving experience, particularly in the Sport and Touring trims. However, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations during testing, averaging 7.7 L/100 km compared to the estimated 6.9 L/100 km.

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 driver's seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, ensuring comfort for drivers. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic 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 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering excellent support. The Touring trim featured a power-adjustable driver's seat, but the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, but the rear seat provided ample legroom and thigh support. The Civic's trunk offered 419 litres of space, slightly reduced in the Touring trim due to premium sound system components. The new centre console design sacrificed some storage flexibility but improved cupholder accessibility.

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 instrumentation screen, providing a high-tech experience. The Elantra's infotainment system included a dynamic voice recognition system and a Bose premium audio system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic came equipped with digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim featuring a 10-inch display panel. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Touring trim offered a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Civic's infotainment technology was praised for its performance and voice recognition capabilities, representing a significant improvement over the previous generation.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most Elantra models featured Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking, providing a comprehensive safety package.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, and lane-centring technology. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic's vehicle architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced occupant safety. A rear-seat reminder system was also standard on all 2022 Civic models.