2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, in its seventh generation, showcased a distinctive design that set it apart from its earlier iterations, which closely resembled the Honda Accord. The Sonata's wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline gave it a unique appearance, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five, featuring clearly marked gauges and average material quality. The Limited trim boasted comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery colour was not universally appealing. For those seeking a sportier look, the Sonata N Line provided aggressive styling with features like a body kit, gloss black accents, and dual exhaust outlets, along with a cabin adorned with dark chrome trim and red stitching.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern, low-slung, coupe-like exterior into 2022. Resembling a downsized Altima, the Sentra's design was a significant improvement over its predecessors. The interior was a highlight, with a simple yet modern layout that combined form and function. The front cabin featured a touchscreen rising from the dash, serving as the visual centrepiece. The Sentra offered trims like S, SV, and SR, each with varying features, from basic amenities to more advanced options like a larger touchscreen, premium upholstery, and intelligent cruise control. Special editions, such as the Midnight Edition package, added unique styling elements to the SR trim.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a smooth and quiet ride, suitable for everyday driving. A turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, was available for the Sport and Luxury trims. The Sonata N Line, however, was the performance standout with a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission and sport suspension. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the ride quality was generally smooth and quiet.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. In Canada, a six-speed manual transmission was standard, with a CVT available. The Sentra's performance was consistent, offering solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The steering was well-weighted, and the suspension handled most road conditions well, making it suitable for commuting and road trips. While not a performance leader, the Sentra provided a balanced driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on higher trims, allowed the Sonata to park itself, adding convenience in tight spaces.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra offered 404 litres of trunk space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench. While the trunk lacked a power-opening feature, it could be remotely opened via the key fob. The Sentra's interior provided spacious seating for both front and rear passengers, with ample headroom and legroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and cupholders, enhancing practicality.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment system varied by trim level. Base SE versions came with an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the N Line and Ultimate Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Bose system impressed with its power and clarity.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, with SV and SR trims offering an 8-inch version. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with easy menu navigation and conventional hard buttons. However, the system lacked wireless connectivity for these features, and the graphics could use updating.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. It received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter awarding it a "Top Safety Pick" for certain trims.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra also offered a robust set of standard safety features, such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. It earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter recognizing it as a "Top Safety Pick."