2022 Nissan Altima 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 a unique and appealing 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 look with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements. Lower-grade interiors, however, appeared drab with noticeable glossy black plastic.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima continued its evolution from its original bland design to a sportier look in its sixth generation. The Altima featured a low, wide stance with a V-Motion grille, tall doors, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The SR Midnight Edition added a sporty touch with gloss black accents and 19-inch wheels. Inside, the Altima offered comfortable Zero Gravity front seats and a well-laid-out instrument panel. However, lower trims lacked the premium feel of higher trims. The Altima's design was competent but didn't stand out significantly from its competitors.

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 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 N's performance was exhilarating, with features like an electronic limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled suspension.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, available in Canada with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, came standard with all-wheel drive. While the Altima's acceleration was mediocre, its road manners impressed with a smooth and composed ride, thanks to Nissan's Active Ride Control. The cabin remained quiet, providing a refined driving experience. However, the Altima's performance was limited by its engine and CVT, which struggled to deliver strong acceleration.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offered a spacious interior with height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom, nearly matching the larger Sonata sedan. However, the Elantra lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Some versions included a hands-free trunk lid release, but the absence of a grab handle inside the trunk was a drawback.

The 2022 Nissan Altima, a midsize sedan, provided comfortable seating for four to five passengers, with easy-to-use controls and a decent-sized trunk. Its dimensions placed it in the middle of its competitors, with a 437-litre trunk. However, the Altima's rear visibility was compromised by a high rear shelf and sloping roofline. The trunk's metal bar supports could crush items when closing the lid, requiring careful packing.

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 instrumentation screen. The Ultimate trim included a 64-colour ambient lighting system and a Bose premium audio system. The infotainment system's voice recognition performed inconsistently, but an active Blue Link subscription improved results.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came with a 7-inch advanced drive-assist display and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The SR trim added navigation and connected services, while the Platinum trim featured a nine-speaker Bose audio system. The Altima also offered ProPilot Assist, which assisted with acceleration, steering, and braking tasks. The technology worked flawlessly during testing, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most trims included SmartSense, Hyundai's suite of advanced driving assistance systems, with features like forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Safety upgrades included cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Elantra's Highway Drive Assist impressed with its smoothness and accuracy.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The Altima received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" designation from the IIHS. The Altima's crash avoidance and mitigation systems received high ratings, making it a safe choice in the midsize sedan segment.