Has Core dethroned Pilbara as the most talked-about ASX lithium share of the moment?

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares have been the talk of the town in 2022. Does that mean the lithium hopeful has unseated industry giant Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) as the hottest stock

Core Lithium certainly out-traded Pilbara Minerals on investing platform Superhero this year.

New data reveals the former was Australia's most traded ASX share between 1 January and 30 November, with the latter coming in second place.

The Core Lithium share price has also outperformed its S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) peer, gaining 84% year to date. It's trading at $1.16 right now.

Meanwhile, the Pilbara Minerals share price has risen 29% in 2022 to reach $4.55 today.

But is it really that simple to usurp the market's most popular lithium share? Let's take a look.

Is Core Lithium ASX's hottest lithium share right now?

Core Lithium shares have outperformed Pilbara Minerals shares in 2022. They've also been subject to more trading on Superhero.

Additionally, the last five sessions have seen an average of around 49 million Core Lithium shares swap hands across the entire market. That same period has seen an average of nearly 35 million Pilbara Minerals shares trade each day.

While that might initially appear to the point that Core Lithium's the favourite, it's worth noting the Pilbara Minerals share price is nearly four times higher than that of its smaller peer.

Thus, more cash has recently been traded for Pilbara Minerals shares than for Core Lithium stock.

Apples and oranges?

It's also worth looking at the vast differences between the companies. Aside from being Aussie lithium companies, the pair have little in common.

It was recently announced that Pilbara Minerals, with its $13.6 billion market capitalisation, will be admitted to the S&P/ASX 50 Index (ASX: XFL) next week.

Core Lithium, meanwhile, boasts a $2.1 billion valuation and was added to the ASX 200 in June.

Pilbara Minerals has also reached profitability and has flagged its first dividend, while Core Lithium's flagship Finniss Project's maiden spodumene concentrate shipment is expected in the new year.

So, has the up-and-coming producer unseated Pilbara Minerals as the most talked about ASX 200 lithium share of the moment? The smaller company's popularity has certainly taken off in 2022 but it's arguable as to whether it can be crowned the market's hottest lithium stock.