Published September 23 2021

2022 Volkswagen Jetta vs 2022 Hyundai Elantra: better than ever

The Volkswagen Jetta needs no introduction, as it has been a fixture in the landscape for over four decades. You'd think that the company that brought it to life wouldn't have to worry about it anymore because it's selling well and remains popular in the market. But the opposite is true; if the Jetta is still loved by consumers, it's precisely because Volkswagen keeps it fresh and relevant.

There couldn't be better proof of that with what's happening to the model in 2022, which is benefiting from major redesigns. This is likely to discourage a vehicle like the Hyundai Elantra, which, despite some interesting elements and a redesign last year, simply can't keep up.

Here are a few examples.

Reworked and improved styling

We can't blame Hyundai for not being daring when it comes to design. However, the company sometimes wants to do too much, so its vehicles don't always age well. The current generation of the Elantra is a good example. While the rear end is very nice, we wonder what the front end looks like. In 10 years, we won't find it beautiful.

At Volkswagen, we know how to build for a long time. The 1981 Jetta is still beautiful and the 2022 will still be attractive in 2050.

And for 2022, a redesigned grille featuring new chrome strips is added to the presentation. Original wheel designs, which are different for each of the four versions of the model (Comfortline, Trendline, Highline and GLI), are also on the menu.

In short, elegance has a name: Volkswagen.

A more efficient powertrain

For 2022, a new engine will take up residence under the hood of the Jetta. It's more efficient than the one it replaces, but also more convincing than the one that serves the base versions of the Elantra. The new 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (the Jetta used to have a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder) produces 158 horsepower. That's 11 more than in 2021, while torque remains unchanged at 184 lb-ft.

At Hyundai, the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder offered up front only offers 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. Worse, its transmissions (manual and CVT) can't deliver power with the same accuracy as Volkswagen's offerings (six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic).

In short, the entire driving experience suffers.

Which brings us to the last point we want to make. While Hyundai's driving experience has improved tremendously, you realize how much work the Korean company still has to do when you get behind the wheel of the Jetta. With the Jetta, the road feel is delivered with surgical precision, so that every kilometer driven is a renewed pleasure.

Really, there's still a world of difference between the experience provided by the Volkswagen Jetta and the moment offered by the Hyundai Elantra.