2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Acura TLX

In the past, the Hyundai Elantra's design was unremarkable, blending into the crowd without drawing much attention. It was a reliable but inconspicuous choice for many years. However, the 2021 redesign transformed the Elantra into a striking vehicle with a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, giving it a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. The new design featured unique creases and folds on the doors, creating a distinctive "Z" shape that set it apart from its competitors.

The interior of the Elantra also saw significant improvements, with material quality and design slightly above the norm for its class. Despite some hard plastics, the overall feel was positive, especially considering its starting price of around $20,000. The 2022 Elantra came in four trim levels: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with the N Line offering sporty styling elements like N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the N Line featured sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, enhancing its sporty appeal.

The Acura TLX, on the other hand, had a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a luxury sedan from a larger class. It was significantly wider and longer than the BMW 3 Series, with a design that emphasized its substantial presence. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, creating a bold and aggressive look. The Type S variant added exclusive elements like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, Performance Red Pearl, and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX.

Inside, the TLX was snug despite its large exterior. The detailing was impressive, with a narrow center console, angled air vents, and inward curves on the aluminum trim. Upper trims with the Advance package featured thin LED strips against light matte wood, creating a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe. The Type S models had faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and a flat-bottom steering wheel with real metal shift paddles. The TLX's interior was well-crafted, but the touchpad interface for the infotainment system required some acclimation.

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 (FWD). This combination was adequate for most buyers, though it lacked power during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, a 32-kilowatt electric motor, and a 1.32-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, delivering 139 hp and up to 195 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid used a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) for a more engaging driving experience.

The N Line trim offered a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, available with either a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed DCT. The N Line's DCT provided crisp shifts and a more dynamic driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The N Line also featured sport-tuned suspension, steering, and revised powertrain mounts, enhancing its ride and handling dynamics. The multi-link independent rear suspension and larger front brake rotors further improved the N Line's performance.

The 2022 Acura TLX featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX's Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, available for an additional $2000, improved stability and handling precision by varying torque at either rear wheel. The Type S variant came with a 3.0-liter turbo V6 engine producing 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, with adaptive dampers and a double-wishbone front suspension for enhanced performance.

The TLX's SH-AWD system shined on the track, providing consistent grip and balanced handling. The Type S's broad torque, minimal turbo lag, and Sport+ driving mode made it a fun and engaging drive. The Brembo front brakes offered strong stopping power, though the exhaust note was subdued. The regular TLX was more softly sprung, providing a comfortable ride but lacking the sportiness of the Type S. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the regular TLX with SH-AWD achieved 21/29/24 mpg.

The Hyundai Elantra was designed for ease of use and practicality. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, and the controls were clearly marked and user-friendly. The Elantra offered comfortable seating and excellent outward visibility. Despite its compact size, the Elantra provided ample space for passengers, with three kids comfortably fitting in the back seat during a long trip. However, taller adults would find the front seats more accommodating due to the sloped roofline that reduced rear headroom.

Cargo space in the Elantra was 14.2 cubic feet, adequate for most needs. The trunk could hold a weekend's worth of luggage, though the narrow trunk opening made it challenging to reach the area closest to the seatbacks. The power tilt-and-slide moonroof had a noticeable droning noise when fully open, and the lack of USB ports and air conditioning vents in the rear were minor inconveniences.

The Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, felt tight inside. The back seat had decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with the Type S offering thigh extensions and adjustable side bolsters. The driving position was low, and the controls were well-marked. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required some getting used to, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. The climate control was straightforward, and the trunk space was 13.5 cubic feet, less than expected for a car of its size.

The Hyundai Elantra came equipped with a surprising level of technology for its price. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display audio touchscreen, 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 included an eight-speaker Bose premium audio system, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, and wireless device charging. Hyundai Digital Key was available on the N Line and Limited trims, allowing keyless entry and start via an Android smartphone.

The Acura TLX's infotainment interface was simple and quick, but the small typefaces made it difficult to read certain settings. The TLX featured a head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, which also included 360-degree cameras, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was included, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats. The Technology Package linked the climate control to the navigation system, adjusting the air based on the sun's position. Standard features included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights, a garage door opener, and a full suite of driver assistance features called AcuraWatch.

The Hyundai Elantra came with a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, 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 a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and top "Good" ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top "Good" ratings in all crash tests and for headlight visibility. The NHTSA gave the TLX a five-star overall score, with four stars in the frontal passenger-side test. Standard safety features included knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included on higher trims.