2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a testament to the brand's "sensual purity" design philosophy. It moved away from the sharper angles of its predecessor to embrace a more fluid and curvier form, reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. The E-Class featured a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. Despite the absence of the classic standing hood ornament, the E-Class maintained its elegance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The dual 12-inch screens provided a modern touch, and the interior was unmatched in its class, offering a lavish and inviting space.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out with its bold and distinctive design, characterized by sharp creases and dramatic angles. The Z-shaped dent in the doors was a unique design cue that broke conventional automotive design rules, giving the Elantra a unique character. Available in various trims, including the high-performance Elantra N, the Elantra offered a range of options for buyers. Inside, the Elantra featured a driver-focused dashboard and centre console, with higher trims offering a more upscale look and feel. The Ultimate trim, in particular, impressed with its modern and upscale interior, featuring light grey seats and dashboard that contrasted with the black cabin. Despite some cheaper plastic panels, the Elantra's interior was a pleasant place to be, offering a modern and inviting atmosphere.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, replacing the conventional V6 engines. The E450 became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to provide extra power and torque. This system allowed the engine to shut off more often, theoretically saving fuel and reducing emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre inline-six engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power from the battery's overboost. The AMG E53 added a second turbo, increasing output to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, while the AMG E63 S boasted a 4.0-litre V8 with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Despite the impressive performance, the E-Class prioritized comfort and stability, offering a smooth ride with its variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased all-wheel drive.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrains, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine paired with an electric motor, producing 139 horsepower. The Elantra N Line offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower. The Elantra's performance varied across trims, with the Elantra N providing a thrilling driving experience with its electronic limited-slip differential and sport-tuned suspension. Despite the range of powertrains, the Elantra maintained a balance between performance and fuel efficiency, offering a satisfying driving experience across its lineup.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious cabin with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the wagon offered up to 1,820 litres with all seats folded. The E-Class Coupe and Convertible had less rear seat space, but the wagon featured a stowable rear-facing jump seat. The E-Class's interior was user-friendly, with separate climate controls, drive mode switches, and seat controls on the doors. However, the dual screens required some learning to master. Despite its high price, the E-Class lacked some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, classified as a midsize car, offered a roomy interior with a height-adjustable driver's seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The Elantra provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom, with ample leg clearance and foot space for adults. The trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the Elantra lacked air conditioning vents and USB charging ports for rear-seat passengers. Despite some hard plastic panels, the Elantra's interior was modern and functional, with useful storage space and adjustable cupholders.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, offering a touchscreen interface with natural voice processing and online searches. The system included a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows and street names, as well as massaging seats and seat kinetics function. However, the system didn't support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto weren't wireless. The E-Class offered a range of optional driving assists, including lane-changing and curve-slowing features, showcasing Mercedes' progress towards autonomous driving.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen. The Elantra's infotainment system included a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. The Ultimate Hybrid's voice recognition system performed inconsistently, but the Bose premium audio system impressed with its quality. Despite some limitations, the Elantra's technology offerings were impressive for its price point.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. The E-Class featured innovative safety features like Pre-Safe Sound and side collision protection. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with 14 optional driver-assist features available.

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 a driver attention warning system. Higher trims offered additional safety features like cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control. The Elantra's safety features were impressive for its segment, providing a high level of protection for its occupants.