2024 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Chrysler 300

That bellowing is courtesy of a 6.4-litre Hemi, returning to the Chrysler 300 for the first time since 2014. Available only in the limited-production 300C model, it puts enough power to the rear wheels to effortlessly repave the roads with rubber. Fortunately, Chrysler fortifies the 300C with wheel, tire, suspension, and braking upgrades to help drivers make the most of the muscle under the hood. Naturally, there is also an active exhaust system that makes plenty of noise.

Verdict: Even as it ages toward retirement, the Chrysler 300 remains a strikingly attractive large sedan. With an available 6.4-litre V8 engine, it packs the firepower to support its muscle-car looks. However, the aging platform leaves much to be desired in terms of tech, comfort, and safety.

For nearly 20 years over six generations, the Elantra established Hyundai as a provider of bottom-rung transportation. Not until the current seventh-generation model debuted in 2020 did the Elantra shed its cheap image and stand competitively with other compact sedans from Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. Hyundai always sold on low prices and long feature lists. Now the Elantra is a genuinely sporty, well-constructed car that competes on actual substance — namely, how it drives and feels — and offers a wider range of trim levels. For 2024, a mild refresh brings more style and standard equipment.

Verdict: Get past the strange bodywork and plasticky interior, and you’ll find a well-mannered sedan that is equally adept at being comfortable and economical as it is sporty and truly entertaining.