2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding 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, distinct from the midsize Sonata, featured unique creases and folds that added character. Inside, the Elantra's interior quality improved, offering materials slightly above the norm 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 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from 2015, with a sleeker nose and sharper LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger maintained a distinct and modern look compared to rivals like the Accord and Camry. The Scat Pack Swinger variant featured a widebody kit, flared fenders, and 20-inch wheels, exuding a bold presence. The interior, however, felt dated, with a small touchscreen and plasticky knobs. While the Nappa leather and Alcantara seats added some luxury, the overall interior quality lagged behind more modern competitors.

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. This engine, paired with a CVT, provided adequate performance for most buyers, though it lacked power during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre engine combined with an electric motor, delivering 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed DCT for a more engaging drive. The N Line trim, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, offered 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, came standard with a 3.6-litre V6 engine, producing 292 or 300 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque. While the V6 was adequate, the real excitement lay in the Hemi V8 engines. The Charger R/T featured a 5.7-litre V8 with 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, while the Scat Pack Swinger boasted a 6.4-litre V8 with 485 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque. The Charger SRT Hellcat models took performance to the extreme, with a supercharged 6.2-litre engine producing up to 807 hp and 707 lb-ft of torque. The Charger's handling was surprisingly poised, with good front-end grip and steering precision, though its large size made it less agile than smaller competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, with its compact size making it easy to navigate tight spaces. The interior offered clear instrumentation and controls, along with ample storage options. While the N Line's low seating position required some effort to enter, the Elantra provided excellent visibility and comfortable seating for small families. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited due to the sloped roof. The trunk, with 402 litres of cargo space, was adequate for most needs, though the narrow opening posed a challenge for larger items.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Charger felt tight inside despite its large exterior dimensions. The cramped footwells and limited rear legroom detracted from its spaciousness. However, the Charger's controls were intuitive and easy to use, with large buttons and switches for essential functions. The trunk offered a generous 470 litres of cargo space, providing ample room for luggage and gear.

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, while higher trims added a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Bose premium audio system. The N Line trim in Canada included a six-speaker audio system, which, while adequate, lacked the richness of the Bose system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, however, lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system found in other Stellantis vehicles. The 8.4-inch touchscreen, though small, offered fast and logical menu navigation, with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed for extensive customization of performance settings, including launch control and line lock for drag racing enthusiasts. While the Charger's technology was functional, it lacked the advanced features found in more modern competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features. Standard across all trims was automatic emergency braking, while higher trims added forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot monitoring. 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.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its age, performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. However, it lacked standard advanced safety features, with options like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control available only on higher trims. The Charger's safety ratings were based on older Chrysler 300 tests, raising questions about their relevance to the current model.