2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days when it closely resembled the Honda Accord. Over time, Hyundai refined the Sonata, adding unique design elements and improving quality while maintaining a competitive price. By the seventh generation, the Sonata boasted a distinctive wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with clear gauges and average material quality. The Limited trim featured comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery was not universally appealing. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches like a body kit, gloss black accents, and dual exhausts, transforming its appearance. The N Line's interior featured dark chrome trim, red stitching, and sport seats, enhancing its personality.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru WRX presented a more subtle exterior design, despite being wider than its predecessor. The front fascia retained a small hexagonal grille and signature hood scoop, while the side profile was simplified with black plastic cladding for improved aerodynamics. The rear featured flared fenders, a large plastic bumper, and quad tailpipes. The WRX's interior saw significant improvements, with better fit and finish, a D-shaped steering wheel, and carbon-fibre-pattern trim accents. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, making the WRX a viable commuter vehicle. Despite the lack of a hatchback option, the WRX offered practical cargo space with a 60/40 split-fold function.

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, generating 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, was available for the Sport and Luxury trims. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the Sonata featured a drive mode selector. The Sonata N Line, however, was a different beast, boasting a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the N Line's performance was impressive, though an all-wheel drive option would have been a welcome addition.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, featured a new 2.4-litre turbocharged engine, producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. While the power increase was modest, the WRX's all-wheel drive system and six-speed manual transmission provided an engaging driving experience. The CVT option, known as the Subaru Performance Transmission, offered faster shift times and variable torque distribution. The WRX's suspension, mounted on the Subaru Global Platform, delivered a forgiving ride quality, even on rough roads. The manual transmission was precise and satisfying, making it a popular choice among WRX buyers.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered 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 among the best in the segment, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a three-piece set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to park itself, impressing onlookers.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, while lacking a hatchback option, provided a practical 354-litre cargo capacity, expandable with the rear seat's 60/40 split-fold function. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with various upholstery options available. The WRX's standard all-wheel drive system added to its practicality, making it a strong contender in its price range.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment system varied by trim level. Base SE versions featured an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and smartphone connectivity. Higher trims, like the N Line and Ultimate Hybrid, upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless charging. The Bose system was praised for its power and clarity, offering excellent value.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's Starlink infotainment system, while not revolutionary, was user-friendly and visually impressive. Sport-trim and higher models featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen, with physical controls for essential functions. However, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration had some quirks. Base-trim WRX models had a unique dual 7-inch display setup. An 11-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system was available, though not tested.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Sonata received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with the N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims earning a "Good" rating for their LED projector headlights.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's safety features varied by transmission. CVT-equipped models included Subaru's EyeSight suite, offering advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. Manual transmission models lacked EyeSight but offered blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims. The WRX's new platform improved crash safety, and it came standard with seven airbags.