2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 MINI Cooper

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding its previous unremarkable appearance for a striking new look. This model featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The Elantra's exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, had its own unique personality, with distinctive creases and folds forming a "Z" shape on the sides. Inside, the Elantra's interior was much improved, offering material quality slightly above the norm for the compact car class, despite some hard plastic elements. The 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.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, retained its iconic and playful design. This third-generation model was larger than its predecessors but still compact compared to other vehicles. The MINI Cooper's design was characterized by its bug-eyed, bulldog-like appearance, with short, squat proportions and tires stretched to the corners. The 2023 model introduced a gradient paint effect, adding a playful touch to its already unique design. Inside, the MINI Cooper's interior featured Chesterfield leather seats with diamond-patterned stitching and a classic saddle tan upholstery. The dashboard's giant circle with an inset touchscreen resembled a ship's porthole, and the toggle switches added a touch of nostalgia. The MINI Cooper's fit, finish, and quality were high, offering a unique and abstract interior experience.

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. This engine was standard on Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims, with a six-speed manual transmission standard on Essential and a CVT optional on Essential and standard on other grades. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine paired with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque. The N Line trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts enhanced its ride and handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest Cooper, featuring a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with certain BMW models, provided smooth revs and strong performance. The six-speed manual transmission offered an engaging driving experience, with Sport mode automatically rev-matching on downshifts. Base MINI Cooper models had a 1.5-litre inline-three turbo engine with 134 horsepower, while Cooper S models had a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 horsepower. The electric MINI Cooper SE offered 183 kilometres of range. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and impressive brakes, but the steering lacked immediacy, detracting from the promised "go-kart" experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces, with clearly marked instrumentation and controls. The Elantra's interior provided comfortable seating, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. The Elantra's rear seat offered enough space for three children, though taller adults would find more comfort in the front due to the sloped roof. Cargo space was adequate at 402 litres, with a trunk that could accommodate a surprising amount of gear. 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 USB ports and rear air conditioning vents were minor inconveniences.

The 2023 MINI Cooper offered good outward visibility and ample front seat legroom and headroom. However, the rear bench in the two-door model was best avoided, as was the cargo hold, which measured just 254 litres. The four-door Cooper models provided more cargo space, with 368 litres and 1,160 litres with the seats up and down, respectively. Convertible models had 226 litres of cargo space, with a tailgate that folded down for unobstructed access. The convertible's roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof, enhancing the open-air experience. The MINI's instrument panel featured a matte finish to reduce glare, and the infotainment system used a combination of touchscreen and console buttons. The glowing ring on the dashboard porthole added a playful touch, responding to various inputs.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, including an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with a rearview camera, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and Bluetooth hands-free phone system. 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 featured 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, though the six-speaker audio system's performance was only adequate.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, and LED headlights. Cooper S models in Premier 2.0 trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. The infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software, offering a home screen that displayed the map and music side by side. While the MINI lacked the latest BMW features, it included unique elements like the Openometer and playful sounds and chimes.

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 six IIHS crash tests.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. However, it lacked some advanced safety features available in other cars. The MINI Cooper had not been rated by the NHTSA, and the IIHS last published safety ratings for the 2014 model, which was structurally identical to the 2023 model, giving it "Good" ratings in five out of six crash tests.