2022 Hyundai Elantra 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. Its sharp creases and dramatic angles, including the controversial Z-shaped dent on the doors, gave it a unique character that broke conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra's styling was particularly appealing in higher trims, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale interior featuring light gray seats and contrasting elements that enhanced the cabin's aesthetic. However, lower-grade interiors were less impressive, with noticeable cheaper plastic panels.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra continued the transformation initiated by its predecessor, boasting a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a striking four-door-coupe silhouette. While reminiscent of the midsize Sonata, the Elantra maintained its unique personality with a low-slung design and distinctive Z-shaped creases on the doors. Inside, the Elantra's cabin was improved with slightly above-average material quality for its class, despite some hard plastics. The N Line trim added sporty elements like N Line brand sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhancing the car's sporty look and feel.

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 or a six-speed manual transmission. This setup provided adequate power for urban driving but felt underpowered on highways. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though real-world consumption varied due to terrain. The N Line trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower, offering a more engaging driving experience with sport-tuned suspension and larger brakes. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 276 horsepower, delivered exhilarating performance with advanced features like an electronic limited-slip differential and customizable drive modes.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra continued to offer diverse powertrain options. The standard 2.0-litre engine provided 147 horsepower, paired with a CVT for smooth operation. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre engine with an electric motor, producing 139 horsepower and offering excellent fuel economy. The N Line trim, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine generating 201 horsepower, featured a seven-speed DCT and sport-tuned suspension for enhanced driving dynamics. The N Line's multi-link rear suspension and larger brakes improved handling, while the sport seats provided mixed comfort levels on long drives.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom was nearly as generous as the larger Sonata, though the backrest shape lacked upper back support. The trunk provided 402 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the absence of rear air conditioning vents and USB ports was a drawback for rear-seat passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra maintained its practicality with a compact size that facilitated easy navigation in tight spaces. The interior offered excellent visibility and comfortable seating, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to enter and exit. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited due to the sloped roof. The trunk, with 402 litres of space, was adequate for most needs, though the narrow opening posed a challenge for accessing items near the seatbacks. The lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents remained a point of contention.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, available on most trims. The Ultimate trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrument cluster, though it required wired smartphone integration. The Bose premium audio system provided impressive sound quality, enhancing the overall experience.

In 2022, the Elantra continued to impress with its technology offerings. The base Essential trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone connectivity, while higher trims like the Ultimate and N Line featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Bose audio system. The N Line's infotainment system was easy to pair with smartphones, though the six-speaker setup was less impressive compared to the Bose system available in Canada.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most trims included Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, featuring forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist.

For 2022, Hyundai maintained its focus on safety, offering a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, while higher trims added forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. The Elantra received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter awarding "Good" ratings in all crash tests.