2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 BMW 3 Series evoked a sense of awe similar to the majestic humpback whales I encountered during my time as a deckhand on a whale-watching boat. Its lidded headlights, bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and oversize grille gave it an aquatic appearance. Despite its high price, starting at $40,750 and rising to $56,000 for the M340i with xDrive, the 3 Series was praised for its driving experience, particularly the M340i trim. The interior, featuring off-white Ivory leather and Tanzanite Blue exterior paint, showcased BMW's commitment to quality, making the high sticker price more palatable.

In contrast, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra, last redesigned in 2017 and restyled in 2019, maintained its geometric-influenced appearance for 2020. Available in six trims, from the base SE to the Sport, prices ranged from $19,300 to $24,150. Our Limited test vehicle, with the Ultimate Package, totaled $27,630. The black paint job highlighted the Elantra's angular design elements, creating a stylish, if not universally appealing, small car. The interior received an upscale update with silver trim and a dual-zone automatic climate control system, though some hard plastics remained.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series addressed previous criticisms of its driving dynamics with significant structural and suspension changes. The M340i trim, with its turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offered an exhilarating driving experience. The car's variable sport steering, rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, and M Sport brakes contributed to its dynamic handling. Despite the standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the M340i xDrive's launch control enabled a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, making it a joy to drive even in traffic-heavy Los Angeles.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of engines, starting with a 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra Eco featured a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 128 horsepower and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The Elantra Sport, with a 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower, provided a more engaging driving experience. However, the standard Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, making it less enjoyable to drive compared to the Sport trim.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series offered simple and supportive front seats, high-quality leather, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat entry and exit were awkward, but once inside, the seats provided excellent support. The interior featured some hard-to-find controls, but the widescreen infotainment system and iDrive were user-friendly. Storage space was generous, with a 17-cubic-foot trunk, though its narrow design limited its practicality.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra provided comfortable accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person squeezed in for short trips. The Limited trim included power driver’s seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding center console armrest. All Elantras featured a dual-zone automatic climate control system, though rear air conditioning vents were absent. The trunk offered 14.4 cubic feet of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and included a convenient interior grab handle.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured the latest iDrive infotainment system with a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and optional gesture control. The system was user-friendly, with intuitive menu pathways and excellent voice recognition. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. Higher trims included a larger display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The Limited trim added wireless smartphone charging and a premium Infinity sound system. The Ultimate Package increased the touchscreen size to 8 inches and added navigation and Blue Link services. The infotainment system was easy to use, with shortcut buttons and knobs for volume and tuning.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series required two Driving Assistance option packages to equip all advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). While accurate, the systems lacked smoothness, and the lane-keeping assist was abrupt. However, the 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra included Hyundai Smart Sense as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, and full LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation. The Ultimate Package included adaptive cruise control and pedestrian detection. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).