2022 Volkswagen Jetta 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. The car 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 appearance improved with higher trim levels, offering a range of options from the Essential to the Ultimate trim, with hybrid powertrains available in the Preferred and Ultimate grades. Inside, the Elantra boasted a driver-focused dashboard and centre console, with higher trims offering a more upscale and modern interior, particularly in the Ultimate trim with its light gray seats and contrasting black cabin.

In contrast, the 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a subtle makeover, with minor exterior styling tweaks that were easy to overlook. The design changes included a revamped front fascia, bumper, and grille, featuring more chrome elements. The Jetta's overall design was described as bland yet purposeful, akin to a suitcase. The interior updates were equally subtle, with new cloth seat patterns and contrast stitching adding a premium touch. The Jetta Highline offered a two-tone leather interior option and a standard heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel. The 2022 Jetta's technology upgrades included a standard 8-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and an optional 10-inch Digital Cockpit Pro on higher trims, enhancing the driving experience with customizable views and widgets.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT. 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 lb-ft of torque, offering a sporty driving experience. The high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, providing exhilarating performance with its electronically controlled suspension and advanced driving modes.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a single engine option, a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder producing 158 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Jetta offered a choice between a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive as standard. The Jetta's performance was characterized by its impressive fuel economy, achieving 5.0 L/100 km on the highway during a long road trip. However, the powertrain exhibited some turbo lag and surge, and the driving dynamics were described as tepid. The Jetta offered various drive modes, but the overall driving experience was less engaging compared to the Elantra.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with best-in-class rear-seat legroom. The driver's seat was height-adjustable, and the steering wheel was tilt/telescopic, ensuring comfort for the driver. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and the use of hard plastic on the upper door panels was a drawback. The Elantra provided ample storage space, with a 402-litre trunk and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta, despite its compact proportions, offered generous passenger space for four adults, with comfortable seats and a driver-centric cabin layout. The front seats had a slight incline for thigh support, which might not suit shorter individuals. The Jetta's interior featured well-placed controls for climate, audio, and seat functions, with ample storage options, including door pockets, a centre console bin, and a sunglass holder. However, the centre storage bin lacked a latch, which was an unusual omission.

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 instrumentation screen, providing a seamless and modern interface. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system and a dynamic natural voice recognition system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta received a technology upgrade with the inclusion of the Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster. The Jetta Highline featured a 10.25-inch Digital Cockpit Pro with customizable views and widgets, allowing for a personalized driving experience. The standard infotainment system included a 6.5-inch touchscreen with App-Connect for smartphone integration, Bluetooth, and USB-C ports. The Jetta also offered premium Beats Audio sound and a remote start system, adding convenience and entertainment options.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with advanced structural engineering to absorb and disperse collision energy. Most Elantra models were equipped with 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 such as adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking, providing a comprehensive safety package.

The 2022 Volkswagen Jetta came standard with forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition. Higher trims offered additional safety features, including blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. The Jetta's Travel Assist combined adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist for enhanced highway driving. However, the Jetta fell short of a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to an Acceptable score in the updated side crash test, while the NHTSA awarded it a five-star overall safety rating.