2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Subaru WRX

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a reputation for its youthful and somewhat rebellious aesthetic. It was the Subaru model that stood out with its piercings and tattoos, so to speak. Compared to the more aggressive WRX STI, the standard WRX appeared more subdued, lacking the race-ready rear wing of its sibling. Its wedge-like front end and short trunk lid gave it a sense of speed even when stationary, complemented by aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop.

Inside, the WRX's design was function-first, mirroring other Subaru compact cars from the past decade. Introduced in 2015, the WRX's interior felt dated compared to competitors like the VW GTI, which looked fresher. The cockpit was practical but suffered from an abundance of hard plastics, contributing to its less mature reputation. The base WRX came with 17-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, and a 6.5-inch touchscreen, while higher trims like the Premium and Limited added features like 18-inch wheels, leather upholstery, and a 7-inch infotainment screen.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its 2021 redesign, shedding its previous rental-car looks for a striking new appearance. The seventh-generation Elantra featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. Its exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata, had its own unique personality, with distinctive creases and folds creating a "Z" shape on the doors.

Inside, the Elantra's material quality and design were much improved over the previous generation. While some hard plastics remained, the overall look and feel were above average for the compact car class. The Elantra offered a comfortable and spacious interior, with a low seating position in the N Line trim adding a sporty touch. The car's compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and its clear instrumentation and controls enhanced usability. The Elantra's rear seat could accommodate three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roofline limiting headroom.

The 2021 Subaru WRX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine's flat design allowed for a low center of gravity and efficient packaging with the AWD system. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Despite its power advantage over rivals like the Civic Si and VW GTI, the WRX required precise rev management to extract its full potential.

The manual transmission, unfortunately, had a vague clutch feel, making the CVT a more practical choice for some. The WRX also featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing cornering precision. However, its stiff ride quality was less comfortable compared to the Civic Si and GTI, which offered a better balance of sport and comfort.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produced 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. While adequate for most buyers, this powertrain lacked excitement during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine combined with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) for a more engaging driving experience.

The N Line trim provided a sportier option with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine producing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's DCT offered crisp shifts and multiple drive modes, enhancing driving dynamics. The N Line also featured sport-tuned suspension, larger front brake rotors, and a multi-link independent rear suspension, providing confident handling and a more engaging driving experience.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. While this was more than the Civic Si coupe, it fell short of the sedan and the VW GTI's cargo capacity. The WRX's interior packaging felt dated, with limited in-door bottle holders and a center console that could obstruct shifting with the manual transmission. However, the WRX provided a comfortable driving position with good visibility and decent rear seat space for four adults.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality with its compact size and user-friendly controls. Despite its low seating position in the N Line trim, the Elantra offered excellent visibility and a spacious interior. The rear seat could accommodate three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited. The Elantra's trunk provided 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, adequate for most needs, though the sloping roofline created a narrow trunk opening. The Elantra also had some minor issues, such as a droning noise from the moonroof and a lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch screen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls. The Limited trim offered an optional package with navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing solid sound quality. However, the WRX's infotainment system felt dated compared to newer competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added more speakers, satellite radio, and Blue Link connected services. The Limited trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. Hyundai Digital Key was available on higher trims, allowing keyless entry and start via an Android smartphone. The Elantra's infotainment system was user-friendly, though the six-speaker audio system in the N Line trim was only adequate.

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with advanced safety features. Subaru's EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on the Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. The Limited trim also offered adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. All trims came standard with a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The Elantra received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with the Limited trim's LED headlights earning a "Good" rating.