2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation from its previous iterations, shedding its unremarkable appearance for a bold and striking design. The seventh-generation model featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. This redesign gave the Elantra a unique personality, distinct from its midsize sibling, the Sonata. The exterior boasted a low-slung look with intricate creases forming a "Z" shape on the doors, adding character and setting it apart from other compact sedans. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality and design, offering a slightly above-average experience for its class, despite some hard plastics. The N Line trim added sporty elements like N Line design fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid maintained its status as a popular family sedan with a futuristic and expressive design. The front end featured a sneering face and muscular features, while the base model came with 17-inch alloy wheels, with upper trims offering 18-inch and 19-inch options. The interior mirrored the exterior's futuristic vibe, with a wild dashboard design and a sweeping curve across the centre stack. The second row provided ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat, and Toyota's high level of fit and finish was evident throughout the vehicle. The Camry Hybrid's design changes for 2022 were minimal, but it continued to impress with its high-quality materials and attention to detail.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range 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, paired with either a six-speed manual or a CVT, providing adequate performance for everyday driving. The Elantra Hybrid, with its 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered a combined output of 139 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering excellent fuel economy. The N Line trim, aimed at driving enthusiasts, featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a more engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid focused on fuel efficiency, with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and two electric motors producing a total of 208 horsepower. The hybrid system, paired with an electronically controlled CVT, provided smooth power delivery to the front wheels. The Camry Hybrid's fuel consumption ratings were impressive, with the LE model achieving 4.9 L/100 km in the city and 4.8 on the highway. The hybrid's lower centre of gravity, thanks to the battery pack's placement, contributed to better handling compared to the gasoline-only Camry. While the Camry Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, it sacrificed some responsiveness, and maintaining EV mode required careful throttle control.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, offering a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces. The interior provided clear instrumentation and controls, along with ample storage options. The Elantra's seats were comfortable, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to enter and exit. Despite its compact size, the Elantra offered good visibility and enough space for small families. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. The trunk, with 402 litres of cargo space, was adequate for most needs, though the narrow opening posed a challenge for larger items. Some drawbacks included the droning noise from the moonroof and the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid provided a comfortable and versatile interior, with a reasonable driving position and ample headroom. The front seats offered various storage options, while the second row was easy to access and provided generous space. The Camry Hybrid's trunk matched the standard Camry's 428 litres, thanks to the low-mounted battery pack, and featured a passthrough for long items. The second row could fold down to accommodate larger cargo, making it a practical choice for families. Toyota's warranty coverage for the Camry Hybrid included a three-year/60,000-kilometre basic warranty, a five-year/100,000-kilometre powertrain warranty, and extended coverage for the hybrid battery and components.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price point. The base Essential trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with 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 user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration, though the six-speaker audio system's performance was only adequate.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid boasted advanced technology features, with a premium JBL audio system on the XLE model, offering nine speakers and sophisticated algorithms for enhanced audio quality. All models came with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, with the LE featuring a 7-inch touchscreen and other trims a 9-inch version. The Camry Hybrid included Toyota's smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path rearview camera. Upper trims offered a 10-inch head-up display, bird's-eye view camera, and intelligent clearance sonar, elevating the Camry Hybrid's tech offerings to near-luxury levels.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, while higher trims added forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The Elantra received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, featuring a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure alert. The Camry Hybrid also included 10 airbags, stability control, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The IIHS awarded the Camry Hybrid a Top Safety Pick+ rating, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall safety rating.