2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic presented a more mature and conservative design compared to its predecessor, resembling the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation model aimed to appeal to those who preferred a tailored and grown-up look, moving away from the previous Civic's bold styling. Inside, Honda focused on simplicity, with a minimalistic dashboard featuring a metal honeycomb mesh to hide air vents. The interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a newfound maturity, enhancing the overall feel of the car.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a dramatic transformation with its 2021 redesign. The seventh-generation Elantra showcased a striking four-door-coupe silhouette, with a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline. Its exterior styling was unique, featuring a "Z" shape on the doors for added character. Inside, the Elantra improved its material quality, offering a slightly above-average feel for its class. Despite some hard plastics, the interior was well-received, especially considering its starting price. The Elantra's design and tech features made it a standout in the compact car segment.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The LX, EX, and Sport trims came with a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The Touring trim featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, providing a more satisfying driving experience. Both engines were paired with a CVT, featuring Step Shift programming for a traditional automatic feel. The Civic's handling was enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning. However, fuel efficiency fell short of expectations during testing, with a return of 7.7 L/100 km.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrains. The Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims had a 2.0-litre engine with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a manual or CVT. The Elantra Hybrid combined a 1.6-litre engine with an electric motor, producing 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, and used a six-speed DCT. The N Line trim featured 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 larger brakes enhanced its driving dynamics, though the sport seats were less comfortable on long trips.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered redesigned front seats with improved support, especially in the Touring trim. The low seating position made entry and exit challenging, but rear legroom was generous. The Civic's trunk provided 419 litres of space, reduced to 408 litres in the Touring trim due to sound system components. The interior redesign included a new centre console with less storage but more accessible cupholders.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, with easy-to-use controls and ample storage. The N Line's low seating position required extra effort to enter, but visibility was excellent. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a narrow opening due to the sloping roofline. The power moonroof caused a droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air vents was a drawback.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display in the Touring trim offering customization and a Vehicle Activity display. The infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, upgraded to a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity in the Touring trim. The 12-speaker Bose audio system provided a rich sound experience, though the system's load time was slow.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings. The base Essential trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a digital instrument cluster. The N Line trim tested had an 8-inch display with a six-speaker setup, offering easy smartphone integration but lacking factory navigation.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted an upgraded Honda Sensing suite with features like Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. The new wide-view front camera and sonar sensors improved system performance. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system, standard in Canada. The vehicle's architecture was strengthened for better collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with automatic emergency braking standard across all trims. Other features, like forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assistance, were standard on most trims. The Elantra received top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter giving "Good" ratings for crash tests. However, lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating from IIHS.