2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2023 Acura Integra

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved significantly from its early days of mimicking the Honda Accord. By the seventh generation, it showcased a distinctive design with a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline. The interior was functional and spacious, offering seating for five with clearly marked gauges and average material quality. The Limited trim featured comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery was not to everyone's taste. For those seeking a sportier look, the Sonata N Line provided aggressive styling with unique N-brand sport seats and a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel.

The 2023 Acura Integra, with its pentagonal grille and JewelEye headlights, fit seamlessly into Acura's design language, aligning with models like the TLX and RDX. Replacing the ILX, the Integra offered a five-door liftback design, providing a solid, planted look. In Canada, it was available in three trims: base, A-Spec, and Elite A-Spec, each with distinct wheel designs and performance tires. The interior shared similarities with the Honda Civic but maintained its unique identity with features like honeycomb grilles and a 9-inch colour touchscreen in the Elite A-Spec trim. The Integra's cabin was well-assembled, though it lacked the bespoke refinement of its German competitors.

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. A turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft was available for the Sport and Luxury trims. The Sonata N Line stood out with a 290-hp 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 was smooth and quiet, providing a comfortable driving experience.

The 2023 Acura Integra introduced a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine, delivering 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. The Elite A-Spec trim offered a six-speed manual transmission with rev-matching technology, enhancing the driving experience. The Integra's handling was impressive, with a firm suspension and variable-ratio electric power-steering system. Despite being front-wheel drive, it felt planted through corners. The Integra featured three drive modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—allowing drivers to tailor the driving experience to their preferences.

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 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a complete set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature was a highlight, allowing the Sonata to park itself with the press of a button.

The 2023 Acura Integra's liftback design offered practicality with 688 litres of cargo space behind the rear seats. However, the lift-over height made loading heavy items challenging. The interior was comfortable, with a logical dashboard layout and ample storage options. Rear-seat legroom was decent, but headroom was limited for taller passengers due to the sloped roofline. The seat cushions were notably soft, providing comfort for passengers.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment system varied by trim, with base models featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and higher trims offering a 10.25-inch display with navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and the Bose system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Acura Integra came standard with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The Elite A-Spec trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity, and a head-up display. The ELS Studio 3D premium audio system with 16 speakers offered exceptional sound quality, making the Integra a technological standout.

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 N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims earning a "Good" rating for crash avoidance.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a new standard for safety equipment, offering features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist across all trims. The Elite A-Spec trim added low-speed braking control and parking sensors. The Integra received a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.