2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged during a time when hatchbacks were losing popularity, with many automakers discontinuing them in North America. Honda, however, saw this as an opportunity to capture a significant portion of the remaining market. The redesigned Civic Hatchback was manufactured in Indiana, making it one of the few compact cars still produced in North America. It shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear. Despite its visual appeal, the Civic Hatchback still exhibited a design flaw known as "stubby butt syndrome." Inside, the Sport Touring trim offered a modern appearance with digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, although the CVT shifter operation detracted slightly from its sophistication.

In contrast, the 2023 Hyundai Elantra offered a diverse lineup catering to various preferences. The base model was budget-friendly, while the Luxury trim provided an upscale feel. The Elantra Hybrid option boasted impressive fuel efficiency, and the sporty Elantra N Line Ultimate and performance-tuned Elantra N catered to driving enthusiasts. The Elantra's exterior design was somewhat polarizing, but its interior impressed with light grey leather seats and high-tech displays. However, the hard plastic on the upper door panels was a minor letdown. Overall, the Elantra's cabin was stylish and well-equipped, offering a pleasant driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 180 horsepower. The latter provided accessible torque from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, enhancing its performance. The Civic Hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, offering a smooth driving experience, while the six-speed manual transmission was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic Hatchback excelled in fuel efficiency, closely matching official estimates during real-world testing.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Luxury featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and a CVT, known as the Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). While not particularly fast, the Elantra Luxury surprised with its peppy performance and excellent fuel economy, averaging 7.1 L/100 km during testing. The Elantra's driving dynamics were commendable, offering a communicative ride and consistent handling. The suspension provided a flat cornering attitude, and the car remained stable over rough roads. However, the steering lacked sharpness, and the brakes showed minor shuddering under heavy use.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback prioritized functionality with a spacious trunk measuring 693 litres and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, although the load floor wasn't flat. While seating was generally comfortable, the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and rear passengers missed air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. The Sport Touring trim added heated rear seats and black leather upholstery.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra offered practicality without sacrificing style. The test vehicle featured proximity-sensing keyless entry and a comfortable leather-wrapped driver's seat. The Elantra Luxury included dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats, although ventilated seats were unavailable in Canada. The rear seatback was too reclined, and the Elantra lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. The trunk provided 402 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free trunk release feature available on some models.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen in LX and Sport trims, while the Sport Touring trim boasted a 9-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a power/volume knob. The Civic's digital instrumentation varied by trim, with the Sport Touring featuring a 10.2-inch display. The voice recognition system performed well, although the Sport trim's speakers were considered mediocre.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a wireless charging pad. However, only Bluetooth supported a wireless connection. The voice recognition system generally worked well, although it struggled with specific commands. The Elantra Luxury featured a Bose audio system, but its sound quality fell short compared to rivals. Digital Key technology allowed a compatible smartphone to serve as the vehicle's key.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. The Sport Touring trim added a rear cross-traffic warning system and Low-Speed Braking Control. The Civic Hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and new frontal-impact airbags.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive package of standard safety features, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Elantra Luxury added features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The Elantra's driving aids were smooth and subtle, providing a confident driving experience. The 2023 Elantra received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.