2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, moving away from its previous unremarkable appearance. The new model boasted a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a striking four-door-coupe silhouette. Its exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata, had its own unique personality, with distinctive creases and folds forming a "Z" shape on the sides. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality and design, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class. Despite some hard plastics, the Elantra provided advanced tech features at a competitive starting price, making it an attractive option for buyers.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, continued to impress with its modern and menacing design, despite being based on a platform dating back to 2005. The Charger received a major update in 2011 and a facelift in 2015, resulting in a more contemporary look compared to its Challenger counterpart. While the exterior was refreshed, the cabin retained a dated appearance with thick bezels and chunky controls. However, the Charger made up for its lack of modernity with ease of use. The available trims offered a range of features, from the base SXT with a V6 engine to the high-performance Hellcat variants, providing a versatile and powerful driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a variety of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. The standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, providing adequate performance for most buyers. The Elantra Hybrid, with its 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and up to 195 lb-ft of torque, offering impressive fuel economy. For driving enthusiasts, the N Line trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and larger front brake rotors enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a more engaging drive.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engines, starting with the 3.6-litre V6 in the SXT and GT models, producing up to 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. The R/T trim featured a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 horsepower and 394 lb-ft of torque, while the Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat, with its supercharged 6.2-litre Hemi V8, delivered an astonishing 717 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Hellcat Redeye and Jailbreak variants pushed the power even further, with outputs of 797 and 807 horsepower, respectively. The Charger offered thrilling acceleration and performance, with the Hellcat models achieving 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, offering a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces. Its interior provided excellent visibility and comfortable seating, although the N Line's low seating position required some effort to get in and out. The Elantra accommodated three children comfortably in the back seat, though taller adults might find the rear headroom limited due to the sloped roof. The trunk offered 402 litres of cargo space, sufficient for a weekend's worth of luggage, despite a narrow opening. However, the Elantra lacked rear USB ports and air conditioning vents, which could be inconvenient for back-seat passengers.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, being a large sedan, offered ample legroom in both rows, though headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The high centre console and performance bucket seats created an intimate driving experience. The Charger provided 467 litres of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high rear bumper made loading large items challenging. Despite these limitations, the Charger offered sports-car performance with four doors and a usable trunk, making it a versatile option for those seeking both power and practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price point. The base Essential trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims, such as the Ultimate and N Line, offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the wireless device charging added convenience. However, only wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger touchscreen.

The 2022 Dodge Charger came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen running the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its ease of use. The optional 8.4-inch version offered larger icons and a similar layout, enhancing usability. Both screens included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While the Charger wasn't the most advanced in terms of technology, its blend of conventional controls and user-friendly interface set a standard for other automakers.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, with automatic emergency braking standard across all trims. Other driver-assist technologies, such as forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning, were standard on most trims. The Elantra received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with five stars for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings in all crash tests.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger showed its age in terms of safety features. Standard equipment included only a backup camera and rear parking sensors, with additional safety technologies available as options. The Charger received a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver's side overlap test but earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.