Are you looking for an affordable midsize sedan? The Honda Accord is well-known for its reliability. One of the most popular sedans on the market, you'll find plenty to love throughout its roomy cabin. The Hyundai Sonata also provides a comfortable riding experience for its driver and passengers, making it a popular choice for those in the market for a new car.
With two great options, how do you choose between the two? Though they are similar to each other, there are some noteworthy differences between the Accord vs. Sonata that could impact your decision. We'll go over the details of each model, as well as explain some of the pros and cons of each one.
The Honda Accord has a well-respected reputation among drivers due to its excellent quality and driving capabilities. The newest model's latest design continues the high-quality standards that Honda drivers expect, with additional updates to its style for an attractive and sophisticated look. Plus, with its high fuel economy ratings (29 city / 37 highway for the base trim), the Accord is a popular choice among sedan drivers.
The current model year Honda Accord is available in six trim levels, including some hybrid options. The trim levels are LX (base trim), EX, Sport Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Touring Hybrid (highest trim). The base trim costs $27,295 and the highest trim costs $37,890.
You can expect a host of standard safety features available on all trim levels. Some of the features include a collision mitigation system, a multi-angle rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, on higher trim levels, there are more safety features like parking sensors and a blind spot information system. Besides the latest safety technology, you will also enjoy technology focused on entertainment and convenience. On all trims, you will have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, a touchscreen display center, and wifi hotspot capability.
The Hyundai Sonata is a sleek sedan for those seeking a sophisticated car to drive around the city. With an elegant and comfortable interior, riders will enjoy upgraded technology features and a spacious, upscale cabin. The mpg for its hybrid options is highly efficient with an estimated 50 city/ 54 highway mpg. The gas base trim has an estimated 28 city/ 38 highway mpg.
The Sonata is available in eight trim levels–SE, SEL, SEL Plus, N Line, Limited, Blue, SEL Hybrid, and Limited Hybrid. The base trim level (SE) has a starting price of $25,250. The highest-priced trim (Limited Hybrid) costs $35,700.
The car is equipped with a lot of standard technology and safety features. Some of the features include a forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, driver attention warning, lane follow assist, and a touchscreen display. You also be able to enjoy features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, Bluetooth, and a rearview camera.
Though they compete in the same market segment and have similar features, there are slight differences between the two models. We'll go over some of the pros and cons of each choice.
Overall, if you're looking for the most affordable base trim option, then the Sonata is the clear winner in that category. At a couple of thousand dollars cheaper, it's still an expensive purchase but will save you a bit of cash. The most affordable Sonata hybrid option is also cheaper than its Honda counterpart. The Sonata Blue hybrid starts at $27,350, while the Accord Sport Hybrid costs $31,895.
Choosing a car that is comfortable and convenient is important to a lot of car shoppers. If you're looking for the most spacious cabin for your passengers, you'll prefer the Accord vs. Sonata in that regard. Additionally, you'll also notice extra trunk space for more cargo in the Accord.
If you want the car with the most horsepower, then you'll prefer the engine of the Accord vs. the Sonata. The base trim of the gas Accord provides a 192 horsepower engine, while the Sonata's base trim for the gas model provides 191 horsepower. Additionally, the Accord hybrid models are also more powerful with a 204 horsepower engine compared to the Sonata's hybrid option outputting 192 horsepower.
In general, the Sonata and the Accord have roughly the same level of performance in energy efficiency. You'll find that you visit the gas pump just as frequently for both models in the lower gas trim levels. However, Sonata's Blue Hybrid (52 mpg combined) trim offers more fuel efficiency than the Accord's hybrid options (48 combined on the EX-L Hybrid).
Though both sedans offer riders plenty of safety and technology features, the Accord offers slightly better options for its base trims. The infotainment touchscreen display is larger in the Accord. Additionally, the Accord features a digital instrument cluster standard on trims. In comparison, this feature is only available on more expensive trims in the Sonata.
Overall, choosing between the Accord vs. the Sonata is a tough decision. Both models offer a sleek and sophisticated design, as well as similar safety and fuel efficiency ratings. If you're looking for the most affordable option, the base trim of the Sonata is a great option. However, if you prefer a roomier cabin and more standard features in base trims, then you'll prefer the Accord. We have a large selection of Honda models, including the new Accord if you want to take it for a test drive to see for yourself if you enjoy this model.
