2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation with its seventh-generation redesign, shedding its previous unremarkable appearance for a bold and striking new look. The redesign introduced a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette that set it apart from its predecessors. The Elantra's exterior styling, while reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan, carved out its own unique identity with distinctive creases and folds on the doors that formed a "Z" shape, adding character and differentiation from both the Sonata and rival compact sedans. Inside, the Elantra's interior saw notable improvements in material quality, offering a slightly above-average experience for the compact car class, despite some hard plastics. The N Line trim added sporty elements like N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels, enhancing the car's sporty look and feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura TLX presented itself as a luxury sedan with a wide and long stance, reminiscent of a larger class vehicle. Its exterior design featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and a front bumper with V-shaped curves, creating a bold and substantial appearance. The TLX's dimensions, including a track width significantly wider than the BMW 3 Series, contributed to its commanding presence. The Type S variant added exclusive features like Tiger Eye Pearl paint, 20-inch Y-spoke gray alloy wheels, and a rear diffuser, enhancing its sporty appeal. Inside, the TLX offered a snug yet impressively detailed cabin, with a focus on comfort and quality materials. The upper trims featured ambient lighting and a Scandinavian-inspired design, while the infotainment system, though not a touchscreen, provided a unique touchpad interface that required some acclimation.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. The standard 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, available on Essential, Preferred, and Ultimate trims, delivered 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While adequate for most buyers, the engine exhibited some buzzing during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering impressive fuel economy. The N Line trim, equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivered 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) in Canada. The N Line's sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link independent rear suspension enhanced its handling dynamics, making it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2022 Acura TLX, on the other hand, boasted a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged 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, standard in Canada, provided exceptional stability and handling precision, especially in tight corners. The Type S variant featured a 3.0-litre turbo V6 engine with 355 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, delivering impressive performance on the track. The TLX's double-wishbone front suspension, adaptive dampers, and Pirelli P Zero summer tires contributed to its balanced and predictable handling. While the regular TLX offered a more comfortable ride, the Type S provided a sportier driving experience without sacrificing comfort.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, offering a compact size that made it easy to navigate tight spaces. Its interior provided excellent outward visibility and comfortable seating, although the N Line's low seating position required some effort to get in and out. The Elantra's rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find the sloped roof limiting headroom. With 402 litres of cargo space, the Elantra's trunk was adequate for most needs, despite a narrow opening. However, the lack of rear USB ports and air conditioning vents posed minor inconveniences for back-seat passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, offered a tighter interior space. The back seat provided decent headroom but limited legroom, while the front seats offered all-day comfort with adjustable features. The TLX's infotainment system featured a unique touchpad interface, requiring some acclimation, and the trunk space was limited to 382 litres. The TLX's design prioritized the double-wishbone suspension, which impacted interior space but contributed to its superior handling.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price point. The base Essential trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims like the Ultimate and N Line offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Bose audio system, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The Elantra's infotainment system was user-friendly, with seamless smartphone integration, although the six-speaker audio system in the N Line was only adequate.

The 2022 Acura TLX, while offering a simple and quick infotainment interface, had small typefaces that could be challenging to read. The TLX featured a head-up display, available on the Platinum Elite trim, and an ELS Studio premium audio system with 17 speakers on higher trims. The TLX's climate control system linked to navigation for automatic adjustments, and the "Jewel Eye" LED headlights came standard. AcuraWatch, a suite of driver assistance features, provided semi-automated control on marked highways.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of driver-assist technologies. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, and driver attention alert. Higher trims offered additional features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra received top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with five stars for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings in all crash tests.

The 2022 Acura TLX also excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall score from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included knee airbags, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors, enhancing the TLX's safety credentials.