2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Subaru WRX

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days when it closely mimicked the Honda Accord. Over the years, Hyundai had learned from its competitors and gradually infused the Sonata with its own unique flair. By the time the seventh-generation Sonata arrived in 2020, it featured a distinctive wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five, clear gauges, and average material quality. The Limited trim boasted comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery color was not universally appealing. For those seeking a sportier look, the Sonata N Line provided aggressive styling cues and a more dynamic interior with dark chrome trim and red stitching.

In contrast, the 2022 Subaru WRX maintained a more subtle exterior design, despite being two inches wider than its predecessor. The front end featured a small hexagonal grille and signature hood scoop, while the side profile was less busy with black plastic cladding that improved aerodynamics. The rear fenders flared outward, and the taillights had a multifaceted design. Inside, the WRX saw significant improvements in fit and finish, with a D-shaped steering wheel, aluminum-alloy pedal covers, and carbon-fiber-pattern trim accents. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, making the WRX a viable option for daily commuting.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. This base engine was adequate for everyday driving. The SEL Plus and Limited trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line, however, stood out with its 290-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, sport suspension, and tuned exhaust, making it a more thrilling option. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the ride quality was smooth and quiet.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, on the other hand, featured a new 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 271 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The WRX's all-wheel-drive system provided excellent traction, and the manual transmission was particularly enjoyable to drive. The new WRX also benefited from the Subaru Global Platform, which improved suspension tuning and ride quality. However, the power improvement over the previous generation was minimal, and the WRX felt a bit sluggish compared to some competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, classifying it as a "Large Car" by the EPA. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the segment, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious and could accommodate a complete set of rolling luggage. The Sonata also featured Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the car to park itself with the press of a button on the key fob.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, while not offering a hatchback option, provided 12.5 cubic feet of cargo capacity, which could be expanded with the rear seat's 60/40 split-fold function. The sport seats were comfortable and supportive, with premium cloth materials in the base and Premium trims and Ultrasuede in the Limited and GT trims. The WRX's standard all-wheel drive added to its practicality, making it a strong contender for those seeking a performance-focused sedan.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. The base SE came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The SEL added SiriusXM satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Higher trims, including the SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line, featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, wireless device charging, and dynamic voice recognition. The Bose audio system was particularly impressive, offering excellent sound quality.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's infotainment system saw significant upgrades. Premium trims and higher featured an 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen display, similar to those found in newer Subaru models. The system included physical controls for climate and audio functions, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration was not seamless. The base trim had a more unusual setup with two 7-inch displays. An 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system was available on higher trims, providing excellent audio quality.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive safety package, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Higher trims added features like blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a surround-view monitor. The Sonata received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS for the 2021 model.

The 2022 Subaru WRX's safety features varied by transmission. CVT-equipped models came with Subaru's EyeSight suite, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and lane-tracing assist. Manual transmission models did not have EyeSight due to the risk of stalling during panic stops. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The WRX's new platform improved crash energy absorption, and the car came with seven airbags as standard.