2021 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI

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's exterior featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, creating an appealing and unique 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 styling improved with higher trim levels, offering a more refined appearance. Inside, the Elantra boasted a driver-focused dashboard and centre console, with the Ultimate trim in Gray providing a modern and upscale feel. The light gray interior contrasted with the black cabin, hiding cheaper plastic panels and enhancing the overall aesthetic.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI maintained its classic design while incorporating subtle updates. Although the company claimed every body panel was new, the changes were not immediately apparent to non-enthusiasts. The GTI's styling included a smooth hood, a subtle honeycomb-patterned air intake, and a signature red accent line across the front. The car's aerodynamic improvements, such as redesigned side-view mirrors and underbody paneling, were not easily noticeable but contributed to its performance. The GTI's colour options included traditional shades like silver, black, and white, with additional choices like Atlantic Blue Metallic and King's Red Metallic. Inside, the GTI featured plaid cloth seats as standard, with Vienna leather upholstery available on higher trims, and retained its classic golf-ball shifter knob.

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. This engine was paired with a CVT, providing a responsive and quiet driving experience. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine combined with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and impressive fuel efficiency. The Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, produced 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering a sporty driving experience. The high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, providing exhilarating performance and advanced handling capabilities.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, delivered 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided a thrilling driving experience. The GTI's retuned suspension and electronic torque-sensing limited-slip differential enhanced its handling, allowing for smooth cornering and limited traction loss. The GTI's fuel consumption was estimated at 9.3 L/100 km in the city and 7.0 on the highway with the automatic transmission, while the manual transmission offered slightly different figures. The GTI's adaptive damping system, available on higher trims, further improved its performance and ride quality.

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 sedan, although the backrest shape and angle lacked upper back support. The Elantra's trunk measured 402 litres, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat enhancing its utility. However, the absence of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and air conditioning vents for rear-seat passengers were notable drawbacks.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI, known for its practicality, offered 564 litres of cargo space behind the rear seat, expandable to 977 litres with the rear seats folded. The GTI's driver-centric interior featured a centre stack angled toward the driver and a unique "light and sight" panel for adjusting headlights and defogging settings. Rear-seat legroom was impressive, providing comfort for passengers. The GTI's interior design and functionality made it suitable for daily use and family transportation.

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, providing a premium feel. The Elantra's infotainment system included a dynamic voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. A Bose premium audio system was available, enhancing the audio experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI boasted a fully digital driver information display with customizable gauge displays and ambient lighting profiles. The infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen in the base trim and a 10-inch display with navigation in higher trims. Standard features included Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth connectivity. The GTI's infotainment system, powered by Volkswagen's Car-Net, offered remote access and vehicle monitoring capabilities.

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.

The 2022 Volkswagen Golf GTI came equipped with Volkswagen's IQ.Drive, offering advanced driver assistance systems such as Travel Assist, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. However, IQ.Drive was only available on automatic GTIs. All GTI trims included Park Distance Control, with higher trims offering Park Assist for automated parking.