2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, in its seventh generation, showcased a distinctive design with a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. While its look was unique, it was not universally appealing, as design preferences are subjective. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five, featuring clearly marked gauges and average material quality for its segment. The Limited trim boasted comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery color was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line added sporty touches, transforming its appearance with a body kit, gloss black accents, and N badging, while the interior featured dark chrome trim and red stitching, enhancing its personality.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra, a compact sedan, offered a stylish exterior that was somewhat controversial, appealing to some but not all. Inside, the Elantra Limited impressed with its Melange with Gray interior, featuring light gray leather seats and upscale fabric trim. The cabin was equipped with classy nighttime illumination, ambient lighting, and high-tech displays, creating an upscale feel. However, the hard plastic on the upper door panels was a minor letdown. Overall, the Elantra Limited's interior was anything but entry-level, offering a surprising level of sophistication for its price.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata had a dual personality when it came to performance. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, produced 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, offering a quiet and unassuming driving experience. The turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, powered the SEL Plus and Limited trims, providing adequate performance. 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-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and sport suspension, delivering a thrilling driving experience. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the ride was smooth and quiet, offering near Genesis-like levels of serenity.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Limited, with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, was not fast but offered peppy performance. The CVT, or Intelligent Variable Transmission, was one of the best in its class, contributing to an average of 33 mpg during testing. The Elantra Limited's driving dynamics were surprisingly good, with a communicative ride, well-calibrated brakes, and suitable steering effort. On the highway, it was remarkably quiet, and during spirited driving, it displayed composure and consistent handling. The 17-inch wheels and 225/45 tires aided in its performance, though the steering lacked sharpness, and the brakes showed minor shuddering. Overall, the Elantra Limited's driving dynamics exceeded expectations.

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 top-notch, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, accommodating a three-piece set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist was a standout feature, allowing the Sonata to park itself with the press of a button on the key fob, though it was more of a novelty than a necessity.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra, despite its stylish design, did not compromise on practicality. It featured proximity-sensing keyless entry and a comfortable six-way power driver's seat in the Limited model. The rear seat, however, was less accommodating, with a reclined backrest and hard plastic panels on the front seatbacks. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, with a hands-free release feature and a 60/40-split folding back seat for added utility.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. The base SE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the SEL Plus and Limited upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The SEL trim included features like Highway Driving Assist and a panoramic sunroof. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was seamless, and the Bose audio system delivered impressive sound quality.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, now available in the SEL Convenience package and standard on the N Line trim. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and wireless smartphone charging. However, only Bluetooth supported a wireless connection, requiring a USB port for Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The voice recognition feature was mostly effective, though it struggled with some commands. The Bose audio system in the Elantra Limited was underwhelming compared to rivals, but the Digital Key technology and Leading Vehicle Departure Alert were notable features.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive safety package, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a rearview monitor. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view monitor. The NHTSA awarded the Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave the 2021 model top "Good" ratings in crash tests.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra also boasted a generous safety package, with features like forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and a safe exit warning system. The Elantra Limited added cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Elantra's driving aids were smooth and subtle, enhancing trust in the technology. The NHTSA awarded the 2023 Elantra a five-star overall rating, while the IIHS had not yet rated it for 2023.