2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Toyota Crown

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation from its previous iterations, shedding its unremarkable appearance for a more striking and modern design. The seventh-generation Elantra boasted a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette that set it apart from its predecessors. Its 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 doors. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw improvements in material quality, offering a slightly above-average experience 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 and features like N Line brand sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Crown presented itself as a full-size sedan with a unique elevated ride height, reminiscent of crossover vehicles. Its styling was bold, featuring a massive grille and angular wraparound headlights, giving it a sporty and aggressive front end. The Crown's side profile was enhanced by large wheels and a black trim piece along the doors, while the rear showcased a bold taillight strip. Inside, the Crown offered a modern cabin with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. The interior featured a mix of hard plastics and cushioned touchpoints, providing a comfortable yet slightly utilitarian feel. The Crown's design was complemented by a two-tone colour option in the Platinum trim, adding a touch of audacity to its appearance.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. The standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivered 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine combined with an electric motor, producing 139 horsepower and up to 195 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The N Line trim provided a sportier experience with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine generating 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. 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 Crown offered two hybrid powertrains, with the base model featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a hybrid electric motor, producing a combined 236 horsepower. The Platinum trim introduced the Hybrid Max powertrain, combining a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with a more powerful rear electric motor, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max employed a traditional six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride quality prioritized comfort, with the Platinum trim adding an adaptive suspension for a slightly sportier experience. Despite its power, the Crown's performance was more about smoothness and efficiency than outright speed, with the Hybrid Max achieving 0-100 km/h in 5.9 seconds.

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

The 2023 Toyota Crown's interior featured fabric seat upholstery in the base XLE trim, with full leather coverings in the Platinum trim. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The Crown's elevated ride height provided a slightly better view of the road, while the rear seats offered ample legroom and adequate headroom. The trunk, with a capacity of 360 litres, was smaller than expected for a large sedan, but its wide opening facilitated easy loading. The Crown's interior was well-equipped with storage options, including a wireless charging pad and a convenient centre console armrest bin.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price point. The base Essential trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and an eight-speaker Bose audio system. The N Line trim in Canada came with the Bose system, enhancing the audio experience. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration, although only wired versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available with the larger touchscreen.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia infotainment touchscreen, offering sharp graphics and quick responses. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with a wireless charging pad. The base audio system was adequate, but the available 11-speaker JBL premium system provided a superior listening experience. The Crown's infotainment system benefited from over-the-air updates and a voice-recognition system activated by saying "Hey Toyota." Additional features included a Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital key feature on the Platinum trim, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

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 five stars for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings in all crash tests.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included frontal and cross-traffic collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. While crash test results were not available at the time of publication, the Crown's safety features were part of the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite. Some new features, like Proactive Driving Assist, were found to be intrusive, but they could be beneficial for new or less-confident drivers.