2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat retained its exterior styling from the previous year, following a significant facelift in 2020. This update marked the first major design change for the Passat in nearly a decade. Volkswagen maintained the same basic body shell but altered every panel except the roof, resulting in a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan. This gave the Passat a more understated look compared to its more radically styled competitors like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's rounded-off corners evoked the aerodynamic efficiency of the jellybean sedans of the 1990s, boasting a drag coefficient of 0.28. However, this didn't translate into significantly better fuel efficiency. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, 17-inch alloy wheels, and, on Execline models, 19-inch wheels with an Adaptive Front-lighting System.

Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls rather than large screens. This approach enhanced usability and visibility, with a short dashboard and low beltline providing good forward and side visibility. However, some buyers might have found the interior a bit plain, with silver-coloured plastic trim and leatherette upholstery. Despite this, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's market positioning as a value option. The only questionable design choice was the flat-bottomed steering wheel, which seemed out of place in a non-sporty car.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a dramatic transformation with its 2021 redesign, shedding its previous rental-car looks for a striking new appearance. The seventh-generation Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. While reminiscent of the midsize Sonata, the Elantra's exterior had its own unique personality, with distinctive creases and folds forming a "Z" shape on the doors. This design gave the Elantra extra character and helped differentiate it from both the Sonata and rival compact sedans.

The Elantra's interior also saw significant improvements, with material quality slightly above the norm for the compact car class. While some noted an abundance of hard plastic, the overall look and feel were impressive, especially considering the car's starting price of around $20,000. The Elantra was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the N Line offering sporty styling elements like N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the N Line featured sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a black headliner, and aluminum pedals, enhancing the car's sporty look and feel.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered a single powertrain option: a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the horsepower was slightly below average compared to rivals' base powertrains, the torque output was more impressive, providing enough power to spin the wheels when pulling away from a stop. However, power delivery felt uneven at higher speeds, with slower response during highway overtakes. Switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved this, but a manual transmission option would have been beneficial. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord, Mazda 6, and Toyota Camry. While highway ride quality and cabin noise levels were acceptable, they were not exceptional.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The standard engine for Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims was a 2.0-litre four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed manual transmission standard on Essential and a CVT optional on Essential and standard on other grades. The CVT featured Hyundai's Shift Control Strategy for smoother operation. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with a 32-kilowatt electric motor and a 1.32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, producing 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid used a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission for a more engaging driving experience. The N Line offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT in Canada. The N Line's DCT was clunky at low rpm but delivered crisp shifts at higher speeds. The N Line also featured sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts, enhancing its ride and handling dynamics. The N Line's multi-link independent rear suspension provided smoother handling than the torsion-beam rear axle on other trims. Overall, the Elantra N Line offered a compelling package for driving enthusiasts, though the sport seats were less comfortable on long journeys.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 993 millimetres of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord or Subaru Legacy, and at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. Front headroom was also less than most other midsize sedans. The Passat's driving position was uncomfortable, with limited front legroom and seats lacking thigh support. The rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 450 litres of cargo space, more than the Toyota Camry, Subaru Legacy, or Nissan Altima, but less than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. However, the Passat excelled in control layout, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra combined stylish design with practicality. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and its instrumentation and controls were clearly marked and easy to use. The Elantra offered plenty of storage options, though the N Line's low seating position made entry and exit more challenging. Once inside, the Elantra provided excellent visibility and a spacious feel, despite its compact size. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably on a long journey, though taller adults would prefer the front seats due to the sloped roof pinching headroom in the back. The Elantra offered 402 litres of cargo space, adequate for most needs, though the sloping roofline created a narrow trunk opening. The trunk lid support arms could crush items in their path. The Elantra's power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents was a source of irritation for back-seat passengers.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Execline models added built-in navigation and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. A single USB-A port handled connectivity functions. The touchscreen was small by modern standards but included pinch-to-zoom capability. The Passat's dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls made it easy to use basic functions without relying on the screen. The Passat lacked flashy tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster or the newer MIB3 infotainment system available in other VW models.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered impressive technology for its price. The base Essential trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Preferred and Hybrid trims added two speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. Ultimate and N Line trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging. However, only wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger touchscreen. The N Line's six-speaker audio system was adequate but less impressive than the Bose systems in other Hyundai models.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. The NHTSA hadn't published crash-test ratings for the 2021 Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Lane-keep assist and lane departure warning were available on the Execline grade. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of safety features. Automatic emergency braking was standard across all trims, while other driver-assist tech was optional on the Essential grade and standard on other trims. These included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, lane-centring assistance, automatic high beams, and driver attention alert. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and Safe Exit Warning were standard on higher trims. Additional features like intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The Elantra received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests.