2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Hyundai Sonata

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, which debuted in 2021. Previously, the Elantra's design was unremarkable, blending into the crowd without drawing much attention. However, the redesign introduced a striking new look, featuring a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. This new design gave the Elantra a unique personality, distinct from the midsize Sonata sedan. The exterior styling, with its "Z" shape creases and folds, added character and set it apart from rival compact sedans. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class, despite some hard plastics. The Elantra was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the N Line trim adding sporty styling elements and a black interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata evolved from its early years of mimicking the Honda Accord to developing its own distinctive style. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. While the design was distinctive, it was subjective, with some finding it attractive and others not. Inside, the Sonata offered a spacious cabin with seating for five passengers, clear gauges, and average material quality for the segment. The Limited trim featured comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery colour was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches, including a body kit, gloss black accents, and N badging, transforming its appearance from mild to wild. The N Line's cabin featured dark chrome trim, red stitching, and unique N-brand sport seats, enhancing its personality.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, standard on Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims. This engine was paired with a six-speed manual transmission on the Essential trim, while a continuously variable transmission (CVT) was optional on Essential and standard on other grades. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine combined with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) in Canada. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts enhanced its ride and handling dynamics, while the multi-link independent rear suspension provided smoother handling.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a split personality, with a base engine, a direct-injected 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, standard on Preferred. A turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft was available on Sport and Luxury grades. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 290 hp, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension, offering a more aggressive driving experience. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the car provided a smooth ride, competent handling, and a quiet cabin.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed for practicality, with its compact size making it easy to navigate tight spaces. The interior offered clear instrumentation and controls, comfortable seats, and excellent outward visibility. Despite its compact size, the Elantra provided adequate rear-seat space for children, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. The trunk offered 402 litres of cargo space, accommodating a weekend's worth of luggage. However, the trunk's narrow opening and trunk lid support arms posed challenges. The Elantra's power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents was a minor inconvenience.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a surprising level of technology for its price. The base Essential trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The N Line trim in Canada included 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 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. Base SE versions came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless charging. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was straightforward, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

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 five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata also came equipped with a comprehensive package of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. The Sonata received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. The Sonata's child-seat anchors received an "Acceptable" rating.