2023 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Hyundai Elantra

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, moving away from its previous unassuming appearance. The new design featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a striking four-door-coupe silhouette. This redesign gave the Elantra a unique personality, distinct from the midsize Sonata sedan, with its low-slung look and distinctive "Z" shape creases on the sides. 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 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 Subaru WRX, no longer sharing its sheet metal with the Impreza, stood out with its unique styling. It featured a wide-body look with box fender flares and body cladding reminiscent of the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback. The WRX retained its signature hood scoop, functional for feeding air to the intercooler. The interior was basic but durable, with the top Sport-Tech trim offering a 10-way adjustable bucket driver's seat and Ultrasuede upholstery. The WRX's exterior styling conveyed its performance-oriented nature, fitting in with Subaru's design theme. However, the Recaro Performance Design front seats were not available in Canada, limiting some interior options.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft 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 engine paired 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 engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT in Canada. 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 Subaru WRX featured a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Subaru boxer engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It offered more horsepower than a Volkswagen Golf GTI but less than a Golf R. The WRX came with AWD and a standard 6-speed manual transmission, with an optional CVT branded as the Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT). The SPT/CVT provided quick responses to throttle inputs, mimicking a conventional automatic transmission. The WRX's well-mannered character made it a comfortable daily driver, with its AWD system and standard summer tires providing confidence on twisty roads. However, the driving experience was described as "muted," lacking the exuberance of some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces, with clear instrumentation and controls. The N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out, but once inside, the Elantra provided excellent visibility. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. The Elantra's 402-litre trunk space was adequate, though the narrow trunk opening posed a challenge for accessing the area closest to the seatbacks. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof produced a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents were minor inconveniences.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, offered practicality with slightly more front headroom and legroom than a Honda Civic Si. However, the Civic provided more space for rear-seat passengers. The WRX's 354-litre trunk space was less than the Civic Si's 408 litres but more than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's 299 litres. The WRX maintained good outward visibility with low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars. However, the cabin lacked a suitable place to store a smartphone, with the typical spot under the touchscreen being too small. This ergonomic flaw was surprising for a recently redesigned 2023 model.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, including an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base Essential trim. Higher trims like the Ultimate and N Line featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The N Line in Canada came with a six-speaker setup, which was adequate but not as impressive as the Bose systems in other Hyundai models. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with easy wireless pairing for smartphones.

The 2023 Subaru WRX featured the Subaru Starlink touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while Sport and Sport-Tech trims boasted an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen was appreciated for its readability, though physical buttons and knobs were missed. The interface for SiriusXM satellite radio required multiple steps, and the system took a while to load on startup. The top Sport-Tech trim included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system, delivering quality sound.

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 a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in crash tests. However, lower-level trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Subaru WRX offered Subaru's EyeSight driver assist technology, available with the CVT. EyeSight included adaptive cruise control, lane-centring, and automatic emergency braking. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on Sport and Sport-Tech trims. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a "Superior" rating for front-crash prevention. The NHTSA awarded the WRX a five-star overall safety rating.