2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 MINI Cooper

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra had undergone a significant transformation from its previous iterations. Previously, the Elantra's design was unremarkable, blending into the crowd without drawing much attention. However, the 2021 redesign brought a striking new look, giving the seventh-generation Elantra a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The exterior styling, with its unique personality and "Z" shape creases on the doors, set it apart from its midsize Sonata sibling and other compact sedans. Inside, the Elantra's material quality and design were above average for its class, despite some hard plastics. The N Line trim added sporty elements like N Line design fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, along with sport seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The 2023 MINI Cooper, available as a two-door hatchback, four-door hatch, or two-door convertible, retained its unique and playful design. Larger than its 2002 predecessor but still compact, the MINI Cooper's bug-eyed, bulldog-like appearance, with its short, squat body and tires stretched to the corners, made it stand out. The JCW model featured a gradient paint effect, 18-inch wheels, and big red brake calipers, giving it a toy-like charm. Inside, the Chesterfield leather seats with diamond-patterned stitching and the giant circular touchscreen on the dash added to its quirky appeal. The toggle switches and manual gear shifter provided a nostalgic touch, while the fit and finish remained high.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The SE, SEL, and Limited trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine combined with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower and up to 195 pound-feet of torque, with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The N Line trim boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, available with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, larger front brake rotors, and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics.

The 2023 MINI Cooper JCW was the quickest Cooper, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine, shared with BMW models, provided smooth revs and strong pulls. The six-speed manual transmission had an abrupt clutch take-up, making it ideal for teaching manual driving but challenging for smooth launches. The JCW also offered an eight-speed automatic transmission with engaging shifts. Base MINI Cooper models had a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three engine with 134 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, while Cooper S models featured a detuned version of the JCW engine with 189 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. The electric MINI Cooper SE had a range of 114 miles and similar output to the gasoline Cooper S. The JCW's handling was enjoyable, with flat cornering and impressive brakes, though the steering lacked immediacy.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was designed for ease of use and comfort. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and the instrumentation and controls were clearly marked. The Elantra offered plenty of storage options, and the seats were comfortable, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to get in and out. The Elantra provided excellent outward visibility and ample rear seat space for children, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, adequate for a compact sedan, though the narrow trunk opening posed a challenge for larger items. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof had a droning noise issue when fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents was a minor inconvenience.

The 2023 MINI Cooper's outward visibility was good, and the front seats offered plenty of legroom and headroom. The two-door model's rear bench and cargo hold were limited, with just nine cubic feet of space, expanding to 34 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door Cooper models offered more cargo space, with 13 cubic feet and 41 cubic feet with the seats up and down, respectively. The convertible models had only eight cubic feet of cargo space, but the tailgate's unique features made loading easier. The convertible's roof rails allowed the fabric section to slide back like a sunroof, enhancing the open-air experience. The MINI's instrument panel had a matte finish to reduce glare, and the infotainment system used both a touchscreen and buttons, though the buttons were located too far down. The glowing ring on the dashboard porthole added a playful touch, mimicking various functions.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and dual USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Limited trims also included an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, a fully digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging. The N Line and Limited trims offered Hyundai Digital Key for Android-compatible smartphones. The infotainment system was easy to pair with an iPhone, and the Apple CarPlay integration was seamless. The six-speaker audio system was adequate but not exceptional.

The 2023 MINI Cooper featured an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, connected apps, LED headlights, Union Jack-patterned taillights, rain-sensing wipers, and manual seats. The Cooper S models in Signature trim added a panoramic moonroof and heated leatherette seats. The Iconic trim offered navigation, automatic parking, wireless phone charging, and a head-up display. The infotainment system used reskinned BMW iDrive software, which was several versions old. The home screen could display the map and music side by side, and settings were easy to adjust. The MINI Cooper also had unique features like the Openometer, a "checkup" with a MINI wearing sunglasses, and cartoonish sounds and chimes.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assistance. Additional features included driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Warning. Higher trims added intersection turn assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all six crash tests.

The 2023 MINI Cooper came standard with eight airbags, including two front knee airbags, rear parking sensors, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and other advanced safety features available in similarly priced cars. Adaptive cruise control was available on certain versions with the automatic transmission. The NHTSA had not rated the 2023 MINI Cooper, and the IIHS last published safety ratings for the 2014 model, giving it the highest "good" rating in five out of six crash tests.