2021 Lexus IS vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was a standout in the compact sedan category, thanks to its bold and distinctive design. It embraced Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, featuring sharp creases and dramatic angles that gave it a unique and appealing look. The Z-shaped dent in the car’s doors, a controversial design cue, was intended to help the Elantra stand out and break conventional automotive design rules. The Elantra's styling was further enhanced by its various trim levels, with the higher trims offering a more upscale and high-tech cabin. The interior of the Ultimate trim, particularly in Gray, was noted for its modern and upscale look, with light gray seats and contrasting black cabin elements. However, lower-grade interiors were considered less impressive, with noticeable cheaper plastic panels.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus IS made a statement with its athletic proportions and elegant design. It was designed to convey motion even when stationary, with a fast roofline and a distinctive kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door. The Lexus signature “spindle” grille, filled with diamond mesh, and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive appearance. The paint, chrome, and panel gaps were flawless, as expected from a Lexus. Inside, the IS featured a tastefully simple dash with a retro hi-fi feel, matching the bold and assertive exterior. However, the analog clock was seen as an outdated element in an otherwise modern interior.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, each catering to different driving preferences. The standard Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. It delivered a fuel efficiency of 7.8 L/100 km with the manual transmission and 6.4 L/100 km with the CVT. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, offered 139 horsepower and a combined fuel consumption of 4.4 L/100 km. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, produced 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, while the high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque. The Elantra N was particularly praised for its dynamic driving experience, with features like an electronic limited-slip differential and an electronically controlled suspension.

The 2021 Lexus IS, on the other hand, offered a range of engine options, starting with the IS 300 RWD, which featured a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD came with a 3.5-litre V6 engine delivering 260 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. The IS 350, available only with AWD in Canada, had the same V6 engine but tuned to produce 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The IS was equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission for RWD models and a six-speed automatic for AWD models. The IS 350 RWD could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. The IS was noted for its crisp, precise, and balanced handling, thanks to its double-wishbone front and multi-link rear independent suspension.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver’s seat and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel. It provided best-in-class rear-seat legroom, nearly matching the larger Hyundai Sonata. However, the lack of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were noted as drawbacks. The Elantra offered 402 litres of trunk space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility.

The 2021 Lexus IS focused on a driver-centred design, with a comfortable and supportive seat that was easily adjustable. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat, standard in IS 350 models, included heating and ventilation. The IS featured ample storage space, including an open cubby, twin cupholders, and large door pockets. The rear seats were comfortable for two passengers, though legroom was limited. The trunk offered 305.8 litres of space, with a deep configuration and a temporary spare stored beneath the load floor.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen. The infotainment system included a dynamic natural voice recognition system and a Sounds of Nature function. A Bose premium audio system was available, providing impressive audio quality.

The 2021 Lexus IS introduced a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with Bluetooth connectivity. Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote were included, with free trial periods. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker premium surround-sound audio system was available in the Ultra Luxury package, offering exceptional audio quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. It featured Hyundai’s SmartSense, which included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like cyclist detection and adaptive cruise control.

The 2021 Lexus IS received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA. It came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, which included a pre-collision system, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, and more. The IS also featured blind-spot monitoring, a backup camera, and LED lighting.