2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Acura Integra

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding its previous unremarkable appearance for a striking new look. This redesign introduced a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, giving the Elantra a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, carved out its own unique identity with distinctive creases and folds on the doors forming a "Z" shape. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality, offering a slightly above-average feel for the compact car class, despite some hard plastics. The 2022 Elantra was available in four trim levels in Canada, with the N Line trim adding sporty styling elements like N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, along with sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2023 Acura Integra, on the other hand, embraced a cohesive design language that aligned with Acura's larger models, featuring a pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines. Replacing the ILX compact sedan, the Integra introduced a five-door liftback design, a nod to the third-generation Integra. The wide track and long wheelbase gave it a solid, planted look, while the embossed "Integra" name added a touch of nostalgia. Inside, the Integra shared some similarities with the Honda Civic but maintained its own identity with features like honeycomb grilles covering the climate control vents and a 9-inch colour touchscreen. The Elite A-Spec trim level added microsuede inserts in the upholstery, enhancing driver comfort, though the lack of ventilated seats was a drawback. While the Integra didn't match the bespoke refinement of its German competitors, it offered a well-constructed and engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine combined with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The N Line trim, however, stood out with its turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. In Canada, the N Line came with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with manual shift mode and paddle shifters. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The Elite A-Spec trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with a limited-slip differential, while lower trims came with a CVT. The Integra's manual transmission featured automatic rev-matching technology, making downshifting smooth and effortless. The Integra's brakes and suspension provided a sporty yet comfortable ride, with a variable-ratio electric power-steering system enhancing its handling capabilities. The Integra's three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—allowed drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences, with Sport mode adding weight to the steering and stiffening the adaptive dampers.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its practicality and ease of use. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, while the interior offered clear instrumentation and controls. The Elantra's seats were comfortable, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. Despite its compact size, the Elantra provided excellent outward visibility and ample space for passengers. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited due to the sloped roof. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of cargo space, though the narrow trunk opening posed a challenge for loading larger items. Some drawbacks included a droning noise from the power tilt-and-slide moonroof and a lack of USB ports and rear air conditioning vents.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design added practicality, offering 688 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the lift-over height made loading heavy or bulky items a chore. The Integra's interior featured a logical dashboard layout, smartly placed cupholders, and a centre console cubby for storage. Rear passengers enjoyed decent legroom, though headroom was limited due to the steeply sloped roofline. The Integra's rear seat cushions were soft, providing comfort for passengers.

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 connectivity, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The N Line trim in Canada came with 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 2023 Acura Integra offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster as standard. The Elite A-Spec trim upgraded the standard 7-inch touchscreen to a 9-inch unit, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, and a head-up display. The Elite A-Spec also added a USB-C port for the front seats and two USB-A ports for the rear seats. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers provided an exceptional audio experience, surpassing the standard 8-speaker system.

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

The 2023 Acura Integra set a new standard for safety equipment, offering a wide range of advanced driver assistance systems as standard. These included automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition. The Elite A-Spec trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The Integra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.