2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive appearance that was unmistakably a Sonata. Its daring design, from the broad grille to the tapered tail, was a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. The N Line version enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the Sonata a stealthy visual suggestion of its performance capabilities. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, Dinamica suede inserts, and red stitching, complemented by a panoramic sunroof that added a sense of spaciousness.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD caught attention with its eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint, exclusive to the performance-tuned model. This paint was one of the few changes for the 2022 model year, alongside standard heated side mirrors and a new Nightshade Edition package for the SE Hybrid trim. The Camry TRD featured an aerodynamic body kit, matte-black 19-inch wheels, red brake calipers, and a gloss black grille with a mesh insert. While the Camry's styling was an acquired taste, it was a departure from the previously criticized boring designs. Inside, the Camry TRD had an unusual dashboard layout and driver-oriented centre console, but the red gauge illumination and other red accents were considered tacky by some.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. Drivers could choose between Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, and the car included an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and improved steering made it a joy to drive on mountain roads, with minimal understeer and excellent handling. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 9.9 L/100 km.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It offered a Sport transmission mode and paddle shifters, along with a Sport driving mode that adjusted throttle response and steering effort. The Camry TRD's "track-tuned" driving dynamics included increased torsional rigidity, stiffer suspension components, and larger brakes. Despite its sporty design, the Camry TRD delivered impressive performance for its price, though it lacked all-wheel drive. Fuel consumption was rated at 9.4 L/100 km in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 9.5 L/100 km.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's trunk volume was 453 litres, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. Interior storage was generous, though the centre console design was somewhat inelegant.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD had front seats with red accents and power height adjustment, providing a comfortable driving position. The back seat accommodated two adults comfortably, but the TRD model lacked rear-seat air vents and a folding rear seatback. The trunk offered 428 litres of space, smaller than some competitors, but in-cabin storage was generous, with a large centre armrest bin and other storage locations.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with onboard navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and Blue Link connected services, but lacked a WiFi hotspot. The infotainment system's design had some usability issues, such as the lack of a tuning knob and inadvertent touch activation.

The 2022 Toyota Camry came with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Camry XSE and TRD models had a 9-inch display with additional subscription services and a JBL premium audio system. The Camry TRD lacked dynamic connected navigation and voice recognition technology, but users could connect via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for voice assistance.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and more. It also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and Safe Exit Warning. The standard Sonata received high safety ratings, but the N Line had not been independently tested.

The 2022 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, with adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, and other safety features. The Camry TRD and XSE had blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The Camry received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.