2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Lexus ES

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-litre V6 and front-wheel drive. The ES 300h hybrid variant offered improved fuel efficiency at a premium. The ES lineup included various packages, such as Standard, Luxury, and F Sport, with the Black Line Edition adding unique styling elements. The ES's design was characterized by its dramatic grille and sleek, artful detailing, with the F Sport trim enhancing its appeal with larger wheels and sporty accents. Inside, the ES boasted a striking black and white interior, offering a luxurious feel with quality materials and a dramatic cabin design.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign, transforming its appearance with a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a four-door-coupe silhouette. The Elantra's exterior styling was distinct, featuring unique creases and folds that added character. Inside, the Elantra's interior improved with better material quality and a user-friendly layout. Despite some hard plastics, the Elantra offered advanced tech features at an affordable price. The N Line variant added sporty styling elements, including N Line design fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, creating a sporty look and feel.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It offered Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive damping suspension. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with a fuel efficiency rating of 9.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. The ES 350 Black Line Edition provided a sporty driving experience, with firm ride quality and flat cornering stance, though it was not an outright sports sedan.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options, including a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or CVT. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre engine with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, producing 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The N Line variant had a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, providing a more engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Lexus ES offered a daring interior layout with sport-bolstered front seats featuring 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The rear seat provided good foot and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The trunk measured 394 litres, with a hands-free power trunk for convenience. Storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with nooks and crannies rather than wide trays and large bins.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed for ease of use, with clear instrumentation and controls. Despite its compact size, the Elantra offered excellent outward visibility and comfortable seating. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited due to the sloped roof. The trunk offered 402 litres of cargo space, though the narrow trunk opening made accessing the area closest to the seatbacks challenging. The Elantra's moonroof produced a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a touchpad interface that required attention to operate, but it offered separate climate and stereo controls on the dashboard. The ES's dynamic voice command technology was excellent, allowing users to bypass the touchpad. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment display looked impressive, though it was not a touchscreen. The ES included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and connected services, with a 10-speaker premium sound system standard and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a surprising level of technology for its price, with an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and four speakers as standard. Higher trims added a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. The N Line trim in Canada featured the Bose system, while the U.S. version had a six-speaker setup. The infotainment system was easy to use, with seamless Apple CarPlay integration.

The 2021 Lexus ES came equipped with Lexus Safety System 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centring assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims except the base. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with automatic emergency braking standard across all trims. Other features, such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning, were standard on higher trims. The Elantra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests, with LED headlights receiving a "Good" rating.