2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was unmistakably a Sonata. The N Line version further enhanced this design with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy yet appealing appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters and Dinamica suede inserts, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, all complemented by a standard panoramic sunroof.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i model, showcased a more traditional yet undeniably appealing design. The M Performance exterior design treatment included exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline exterior trim, and blue brake calipers. The test vehicle featured Barbera Red special-order paint and 19-inch wheels in Cerium Grey, giving it a perfect stance. Inside, the M340i offered perforated SensaTec upholstery, a Cognac-color SensaTec dashboard wrap, and a technical design that emphasized driving enjoyment. The overall interior quality was high, with complementary tones and textures, making it a blend of sportiness and sophistication.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The car featured Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom driving modes, along with an Active Sound Design (ASD) engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line also had significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger front and rear brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. It rode on 19-inch wheels with 245/40 all-season performance or summer performance tires. The car delivered a thrilling driving experience, especially on winding mountain roads, and maintained a comfortable ride quality. The EPA rated its fuel economy at 27 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing yielded 23.7 mpg.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 382 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. This engine was mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a Sport mode, paddle shifters, and launch control. The M340i included M Sport four-wheel ventilated-disc brakes, variable sport steering, and a standard M Sport suspension, with the test car featuring the optional Adaptive M Suspension. BMW claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, and the car delivered an exhilarating driving experience with precise handling and impressive acceleration. The M340i returned 24.9 mpg on the evaluation route, just shy of the EPA's 26 mpg rating.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, making it comfortable for both occupants. However, the rear seat space was not significantly more accommodating than the smaller Elantra N Line, with limited legroom and thigh support. The Sonata N Line featured a 16 cubic-foot trunk with a 60/40-split folding rear seat and Hyundai’s Smart Trunk hands-free release feature. Interior storage was practical, though the center console design was somewhat inelegant.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i provided power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. The rear seat offered adequate legroom for four relatively tall passengers, though the center rear seat was less practical. The car featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available through the Premium package. Interior storage was decent, and the 17 cubic-foot trunk offered ample cargo space with a 40/20/40-split folding design. The M340i's interior was both functional and comfortable, though ventilated front seats were not available.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, it lacked a WiFi hotspot and a tuning knob, which could be frustrating. The infotainment system offered Sounds of Nature for stress relief and Hyundai Digital Key for Android devices.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured Live Cockpit Professional with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The iDrive 7.0 system was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a center console knob, touchscreen, steering wheel controls, and voice recognition. The car included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. Connected Package Pro technology provided BMW Remote Services and Intelligent Personal Assistant. The Premium package added a head-up display, though it could be challenging to read with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The standard Sonata rated high for occupant protection, though specific ratings for the N Line were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard with forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driving Assistance Professional package included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.