2022 Subaru WRX vs. 2022 Hyundai Elantra N

2022 Subaru WRX ・ Photo by Subaru

The all-new 2022 Subaru WRX is a rally-inspired sedan that makes performance a priority. It has sporty handling and a responsive engine perfect for driving enthusiasts. It also has a bold exterior that demands attention with a comfortable interior featuring quality materials.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra N is also all-new. It sits at the top of the Elantra lineup with all the comfort and features you’d expect from a sedan along with a healthy dose of performance. It also gets improved handling and additional features. Let’s take a closer look at these two performance sedans to see which is the better of the two.

A Limited Range of Trims

The Subaru WRX is available in four trims with pricing yet to be announced. The Base has a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and cloth seats while the Premium adds an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen and all-weather package. The Limited has a 10-way power driver’s seat and 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and the GT adds sport-tuned suspension and Recaro front seats. It’s a comprehensive lineup.

The Hyundai Elantra N is a single trim at the top of the Elantra lineup priced at $31,900. Standard features include leather and microsuede sport front seats that are heated, 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, navigation, and 8-speaker Bose audio. We give this to the WRX for offering a wider range of trims.

: Subaru WRX

Photo by Subaru

Both Have Aggressive Powertrains

The Subaru WRX is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard, but an 8-speed automatic that becomes standard on the top GT trim is optional for the rest of the lineup.

The Hyundai Elantra N gets its power from a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque. This is paired to either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This one goes to the Elantra for providing more torque and horsepower for a more responsive driving experience.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Hyundai

Sports Sedans With Passenger Comforts

The Hyundai Elantra N combines the smooth ride of the Elantra with the crispness of a sports sedan. It’s hard to balance passenger comfort with the stiff suspension systems typical of more performance focused models, but the Elantra N does this quite well. It lets you enjoy long road trips or track time with equal comfort.

The Subaru WRX aims to strike the same balance but leans more heavily towards performance. Road imperfections are more noticeable making the ride less relaxing for passengers. It’s not harsh, but it’s not as well-mannered as the Elantra N.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Hyundai

The Responsive Handling of a Performance Car

The WRX offers a choice of intelligent, sport, or sport sharp drive modes to customize your drive experience. The GT trim adds electronic adjustable ride control for added customization. It delivers crisp handling that lets you take tight corners at speed with complete confidence.

The Elantra N also delivers responsive handling. It has an electronically controlled suspension system, rear chassis brace, and limited slip differential with electronic control. It also has launch control and drive modes like N Grin Shift (NGS), which gives a 20-second performance boost. Though neither will disappoint, the Elantra N provides stronger sports sedan handling.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Hyundai

Striking and Sporty Interiors

The WRX has a black interior, carbon fiber accents, and red contrast stitching. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is wrapped in leather and front seats are strongly bolstered. There’s room for three adults in back, but it’s best suited to two on all but the shortest of drives.

The Elantra N has leather and microsuede trims with an illuminated N logo on the front bucket seats. The best place to sit is up front, but the Elantra has a surprising amount of room in back. Two adults will have plenty of space, and three will be fine unless it’s an hours-long road trip. Both cars have well-appointed interiors, but we give this to the Elantra N for its roomier rear seats.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Hyundai

Infotainment Screen Size Makes a Difference

The WRX has standard dual 7.0-inch touchscreens with Apple CarPlay and Android on the base trim. The rest of the WRX trim range has an 11.6-inch touchscreen and an available 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The Elantra N has a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An 8-speaker Bose audio system, Qi wireless charging, and two USB ports are also standard features. While the base system on the Subaru WRX has a smaller screen, that’s also only on the base trim. The rest of the lineup has a larger screen size than the Elantra N, even the mid-range WRX trim. That gives Subaru the win.

: Subaru WRX

Photo by Subaru

Standard Safety Differs Greatly

The Subaru WRX has limited safety features on models with the manual transmission. Equipped with the automatic, it has lane centering, pre-collision brake assist, automatic emergency steering, lane keeping assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering.

The Hyundai Elantra N doesn’t make the same division between transmissions. Standard features include forward collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, safe exit warning, and parking distance warning.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Hyundai

Room for Stowing Cargo

These are sports sedans that focus on driving, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for cargo. If you have a full load of passengers, then you’re going to need a trunk to carry all their stuff and both sports sedans are up to the task.

The Hyundai Elantra N has 14.2 cubic feet for cargo in the trunk. There’s also a wide trunk opening that makes it easier to stow larger, bulkier items. The Subaru WRX has 12.5 cubic feet of cargo room in its trunk. While that’s still a good amount of cargo space, it falls short of what’s offered by the Elantra N.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Nicole Wakelin

Fuel Efficiency That's Budget Friendly

The Subaru WRX gets an EPA-estimated 19 mpg in the city, 26 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg combined with the manual transmission. The automatic does slightly worse with 19 mpg in the city, 25 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined.

The Hyundai Elantra N gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg in the city, 31 mpg on the highway, and 25 mpg combined with the manual transmission. Numbers fall to 20 mpg in the city, 30 mpg on the highway, and 23 mpg combined with the automatic. No matter which transmission you choose, the Elantra N gets better fuel economy.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Hyundai

Final Thoughts

The Subaru WRX is fun and sporty with great handling and a powerful engine. It has a good infotainment system with key smartphone connectivity and good fuel economy. The interior is comfortable and attractive, and it has standout exterior styling.

The Hyundai Elantra N, however, comes out ahead. It has better standard safety, more room for cargo, more power, and a smoother ride. It also has a roomier back seat and better fuel economy. This makes it our pick of the two.

: Hyundai Elantra N

Photo by Hyundai