2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2021 Lexus ES

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the introduction of the ES 250 series, featuring a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, priced similarly to the ES 350 with a 3.5-liter V6 and front-wheel drive. The ES 250 and ES 350 were available in Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury trims. Additionally, the ES 300h hybrid offered improved fuel economy at a premium. Lexus made blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard on most trims, and introduced a limited-production Black Line Special Edition for the ES 350. The ES 350 F Sport Black Line Special Edition boasted features like triple-beam LED headlights, adaptive suspension, and a Navigation Package, with a striking black and white interior. The ES's design, particularly in F Sport trim, was praised for its dramatic grille and appealing aesthetics, while the interior showcased quality materials and a dramatic cabin design.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign, transforming its appearance with a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a four-door-coupe silhouette. The Elantra's unique styling, with its "Z" shape creases on the doors, set it apart from competitors. Inside, the Elantra's material quality was above average for its class, despite some hard plastics. The Elantra was available in SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited trims, with the N Line offering sporty styling elements. The interior provided good visibility and comfort, though the low seating position in the N Line required extra effort to enter and exit. The Elantra's compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and it offered ample storage options, making it a practical choice for small families.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels. It offered Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes, with Sport+ and Custom modes available with the adaptive damping suspension. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with an EPA fuel economy rating of 25 mpg combined. During testing, it averaged 22.9 mpg. The ES 350 F Sport was noted for its unexpected competence and driving enjoyment, with a firm ride and flat cornering stance, though it was not an outright sports sedan.

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 CVT and front-wheel drive. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter engine with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, delivering 139 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, with a six-speed DCT. The N Line trim had a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with a six-speed manual or seven-speed DCT. The N Line's DCT provided crisp shifts and offered Normal, Sport, and Smart drive modes. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension and multi-link rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a daring interior layout with sport-bolstered front seats offering 10-way power adjustment, heating, and ventilation. The NuLuxe synthetic leather provided excellent comfort, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The trunk offered 13.9 cubic feet of space, with a hands-free power trunk option. Storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with nooks and crannies rather than wide trays and large bins.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra was praised for its stylish design and practicality. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and it offered excellent outward visibility. The Elantra's interior provided comfortable seating, though the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to enter and exit. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited due to the sloped roof. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of space, with a narrow opening due to the sloping roofline. The Elantra lacked rear USB ports and air conditioning vents, which were minor irritations for back-seat passengers.

The 2021 Lexus ES featured a touchpad interface that required attention to operate, but it offered separate climate and stereo controls on the dashboard. The ES's dynamic voice command technology was excellent, allowing users to bypass the touchpad. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen display was visually appealing but not a touchscreen. All trims included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, with a 10-speaker premium sound system standard and an available 17-speaker Mark Levinson system.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered impressive technology for its price. The base SE trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and four speakers. Higher trims added satellite radio, Blue Link connected services, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The Limited trims featured an eight-speaker Bose audio system and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. Hyundai Digital Key was standard on N Line and Limited trims, allowing keyless operation via an Android smartphone. The Elantra's infotainment system was easy to use, with seamless Apple CarPlay integration.

The 2021 Lexus ES came with Lexus Safety System 2.0, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and more. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on most trims. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra featured the SmartSense suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The Elantra received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS, with the Limited trim's LED headlights receiving a "Good" rating.