2022 Nissan Altima vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market with its 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 came in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with a hybrid powertrain option available for the SEL and Limited. Prices ranged from $19,650 to $25,450, excluding destination charges. The high-performance Elantra N, debuting early in 2021, was expected to cost less than $34,000.

Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and center console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The Limited or Hybrid Limited in Gray was particularly favored for its modern and upscale look, with light gray seats and trim contrasting against the black cabin. The Elantra SEL with the Premium Package, however, had a drab black interior with glossy black plastic that was less appealing.

The 2022 Nissan Altima continued the model's evolution from its bland beginnings in 1993 to a sharper, sportier look in its sixth generation. Available in five trim levels—S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum—the Altima featured Nissan's hallmark V-Motion grille, a low, wide stance, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The Midnight Edition package, available on the SR trim, added gloss black accents, LED fog lights, 19-inch wheels, and other sporty touches, enhancing the Altima's already sporty looks.

Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats, a well-laid-out instrument panel, and high-quality materials that gave it a premium feel. However, lower trims did not look or feel as nice. The Altima's interior was functional and comfortable, but it did not stand out significantly from its competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra SEL with this engine felt athletic and nimble in urban settings but lacked power for highway merging or passing. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and offered better fuel efficiency, though it fell short of EPA estimates in mountainous driving. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 201 horsepower, provided a fun driving experience with its sport-tuned suspension and performance tires. The high-performance Elantra N, with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine generating 276 horsepower, delivered an exhilarating driving experience with its advanced performance features and customizable settings.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a choice of two four-cylinder engines: a 2.5-liter unit producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter VC-Turbo engine making 248 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The base engine was available with FWD or AWD, while the VC-Turbo was only available on the SR trim with FWD. The Altima's CVT struggled to deliver strong acceleration, but the car's suspension provided a smooth and composed ride. The VC-Turbo engine offered impressive power and efficiency, though it was not available with AWD. Overall, the Altima's performance was competent but not exceptional.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by the EPA, offered a roomy interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest shape and angle were less supportive. The Elantra's trunk measured 14.2 cubic feet, 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 Nissan Altima provided comfortable seating for four (five for short distances), easy-to-use controls, and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions were average for the midsize sedan segment, with a 15.4 cubic foot trunk and a 16.2-gallon fuel tank. The Altima's high rear shelf compromised rear visibility, and the trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid. Overall, the Altima was functional and comfortable but did not stand out significantly from its competitors.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of technology features, including an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on 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 Elantra also offered a Bose premium sound system, Hyundai Digital Key, and a dynamic natural voice recognition system.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a 5-inch multi-function information display on the entry-level S trim, while other trims featured a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch color touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SL trim and above included a nine-speaker Bose premium audio system, navigation, and connected services. The Altima also offered active noise cancellation, traffic sign recognition, and Nissan's ProPilot Assist system, which provided advanced driver assistance features.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It came equipped with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Safety-related upgrades included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and Hyundai’s Highway Drive Assist.

The 2022 Nissan Altima featured a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist technologies, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The SV trim and above included Nissan's Safety Shield 360, which added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. The Altima received high safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, earning a five-star overall rating and a Top Safety Pick+ designation.