2022 Toyota Camry vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan segment 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, designed by Davis Lee, added to its character, breaking conventional design rules. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trims, ranging from the Essential to the Ultimate, with the latter offering a more upscale interior with light gray seats and contrasting elements that provided a modern and sophisticated feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry, particularly in the TRD model, caught attention with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint and performance-tuned design. The Camry TRD featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, and red accents, making it stand out from other Camry versions. Despite its sporty appearance, the Camry's design was polarizing, reminiscent of 1990s Pontiacs, but it was a departure from the traditionally conservative Camry styling. Inside, the Camry TRD had a driver-oriented layout, though some elements like red gauge illumination and seatbelt embroidery were considered tacky.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, from the standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower to the high-performance Elantra N with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine producing 276 horsepower. The standard engine, paired with a CVT, provided adequate power for city driving but felt underpowered on highways. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency, though real-world consumption varied due to driving conditions. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower, offered a sportier drive, while the Elantra N provided an exhilarating experience with its powerful engine, advanced suspension, and performance-oriented features.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD, equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 301 horsepower, delivered robust performance with its eight-speed automatic transmission and sport-tuned dynamics. The Camry TRD's V6 engine provided quick acceleration and a pleasing exhaust note, though its front-wheel-drive setup made it prone to wheel spin. The TRD model featured enhanced structural rigidity, a sport-tuned suspension, and larger brakes, contributing to its solid and planted feel on the road. Despite its sporty nature, the Camry TRD maintained a comfortable ride, making it suitable for daily driving.

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 a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom, comparable to the larger Sonata, though it lacked air conditioning vents and USB ports. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the absence of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic door panels were noted drawbacks.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a sporty driving position with power-adjustable front seats, though it lacked additional bolstering. The rear seat accommodated two adults comfortably, but the TRD model sacrificed the 60/40-split folding seat for improved structural rigidity, resulting in a fixed rear seatback. The Camry's trunk offered 428 litres of space, slightly larger than the Elantra's, but smaller compared to other midsize sedans. In-cabin storage was generous, with a large centre armrest bin and other storage spaces.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured 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 dynamic voice recognition system, though its performance varied.

The 2022 Toyota Camry featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Camry TRD and XSE models offered a 9-inch touchscreen with additional subscription services and a JBL premium audio system. While the Camry lacked dynamic navigation and voice recognition, it allowed for smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, providing access to virtual assistants.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with advanced structural engineering for collision energy management. Most Elantra models, except the base, included Hyundai's SmartSense suite of safety features, such as forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking.

The 2022 Toyota Camry came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, offering a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The Camry TRD and XSE models included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Camry received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, ensuring high safety standards.