Compare the2022 Hyundai Elantra N LineVS 2021 Audi A4

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the Elantra N Line are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The A4 doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

The Elantra N Line’s standard lane departure warning system alerts a temporarily inattentive driver when the vehicle begins to leave its lane and gently nudges the vehicle back towards its lane. A lane departure warning system costs extra on the A4 and is not available with Premium.

The Elantra N Line has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. A system to reveal vehicles in the A4’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Elantra N Line has a standard cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Cross-path warning costs extra on the A4.

The Elantra N Line’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The A4 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the Elantra N Line and the A4 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Elantra N Line comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The A4’s 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 10,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Elantra N Line 6 years and 50,000 miles longer than Audi covers the A4. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the A4 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Elantra N Line for 3 years and 36,000 miles. Hyundai will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the A4.

There are almost 3 times as many Hyundai dealers as there are Audi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Elantra N Line’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 10th in initial quality, above the industry average. With 72 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd, below the industry average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai 7th in reliability, above the industry average. With 26 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Hyundai 8 places higher in reliability than Audi.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Hyundai Elantra N Line uses regular unleaded gasoline. The A4 requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

For better traction, the Elantra N Line has larger tires than the A4 (235/40R18 vs. 225/50R17).

The Elantra N Line’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 40 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the A4’s standard 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Elantra N Line has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 17-inch wheels are standard on the A4.

The Hyundai Elantra N Line may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 600 pounds less than the Audi A4.

The Elantra N Line is 3.4 inches shorter than the A4, making the Elantra N Line easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Because it has more passenger and cargo room, the EPA rates the Elantra N Line a Mid-size car, while the A4 is rated a Compact.

The Elantra N Line has 7.4 cubic feet more passenger volume than the A4 (99.4 vs. 92).

The Elantra N Line has 3.3 inches more front headroom, 1 inch more front legroom, .6 inches more front shoulder room, 2.3 inches more rear legroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the A4.

The Elantra N Line has a much larger trunk than the A4 (14.2 vs. 12 cubic feet).

The Elantra N Line can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Elantra N Line can be unhitched and driven around locally. The A4 can’t be towed flat on the ground.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Hyundai Elantra N Line has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the A4 Premium Plus/Prestige offers wireless charging.