2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding its previous unremarkable appearance for a bold and distinctive look. The new design featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a striking four-door-coupe silhouette. The Elantra's exterior styling, with its unique "Z" shape creases on the doors, set it apart from its competitors and even its sibling, the Sonata. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality and design, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class. Despite some hard plastics, the Elantra provided advanced tech features at an affordable starting price, making it a compelling choice for budget-conscious buyers.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid maintained its familiar styling, which had become more acceptable over time. The Nightshade Edition, with its matte-bronze 19-inch alloy wheels and Reservoir Blue paint, added a touch of flair to the lineup. The Camry Hybrid's interior, while functional, fell short of Toyota's claims of "impeccable fit and finish," with cheap-looking plastics and noticeable road noise. Despite these drawbacks, the Camry Hybrid offered a comfortable driving experience with its SE-spec interior, though it lacked the refinement expected in a vehicle of its class. The Camry Hybrid's pricing in Canada started at just over $35,000, with the SE Nightshade Edition tested costing $40,785.

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, providing adequate performance for everyday driving. The Elantra Hybrid, with its 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, delivered 139 horsepower and up to 195 lb-ft of torque, offering impressive fuel economy. The N Line variant, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, produced 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, providing a more engaging driving experience. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured a 2.5-litre Atkinson-cycle engine paired with an electric motor, producing a net power output of 208 horsepower. The hybrid system simulated a continuously variable transmission (CVT) to deliver power to the front wheels. While the Camry Hybrid offered different driving modes, including Normal, Eco, EV, and Sport, its fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 7.0 L/100 km during testing. Despite this, the Camry Hybrid's electric assist motor provided quick acceleration from a stop, and its regenerative braking system offered better-than-expected brake pedal feel. The Camry Hybrid SE Nightshade's sport suspension tuning provided a comfortable ride, though its stability control system was overly sensitive in certain driving conditions.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, offering a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces. Its interior provided excellent visibility and comfortable seating, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to enter and exit. The Elantra's rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. With 402 litres of cargo space, the Elantra's trunk was adequate for most needs, though its narrow opening posed a challenge for accessing the rear area. The lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents were minor inconveniences for back-seat passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid prioritized simplicity and durability, with a straightforward layout and controls. Standard features included keyless entry, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The front seats offered power adjustment for the driver and manual adjustment for the passenger, with the driver's seat proving comfortable for long drives. The Camry's rear seats, while adequate, lacked the spaciousness of competitors like the Honda Accord. The trunk provided 428 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases on their sides, though it lacked a handle for closing the lid.

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 offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Bose premium audio system. The N Line trim tested in the U.S. came with a six-speaker setup, which provided adequate audio performance. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid offered a choice between a 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display, both with smartphone connectivity. The larger 9-inch system included a connected navigation system and a JBL premium sound system. The test car featured the 7-inch touchscreen, which was basic but functional. The voice recognition system had limitations, but physical knobs and buttons made the system easy to use. Additional tech options included a 7-inch driver information centre and a 10-inch head-up display, though the test car lacked these features.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention alert. Higher trims added features like blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Elantra received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter awarding it "Good" ratings in all crash tests.

The 2023 Toyota Camry Hybrid came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, the system lacked refinement, with abrupt braking and inconsistent lane-keeping performance. The Camry Hybrid received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact crash test.