Compare the2022 Toyota Avalon HybridVS 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Avalon Hybrid have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer pretensioners for the rear seat belts.

The Toyota Avalon Hybrid has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Avalon Hybrid has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats (WIL), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WIL system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Avalon Hybrid has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Avalon Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Avalon Hybrid is safer than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

	Avalon Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
	Driver
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	162	514
Neck Compression	6 lbs.	33 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Avalon Hybrid is safer than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

	Avalon Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	163	163
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	156 lbs.	305 lbs.
Hip Force	318 lbs.	498 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	266	301
Spine Acceleration	41 G’s	72 G’s
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	20 inches
HIC	267	288
Spine Acceleration	38 G’s	38 G’s

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

There are over 50 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Avalon Hybrid’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Avalon Hybrid’s reliability 17 points higher than the Sonata Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 3 more problems per 100 vehicles, Hyundai is ranked 7th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Hyundai is ranked 6th.

Engine

The Avalon Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 23 more horsepower (215 vs. 192) than the Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

Transmission

The Avalon Hybrid has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

The Avalon Hybrid stops shorter than the Sonata Hybrid:

	Avalon Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	139 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Avalon Hybrid has larger standard tires than the Sonata Hybrid (215/55R17 vs. 205/65R16). The Avalon Hybrid XSE Nightshade’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sonata Hybrid (235/40R19 vs. 215/55R17).

The Avalon Hybrid XLE’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata Hybrid Blue’s standard 65 series tires. The Avalon Hybrid XSE Nightshade’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Avalon Hybrid XLE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata Hybrid Blue. The Avalon Hybrid XSE Nightshade’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

The Avalon Hybrid has variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Avalon Hybrid’s wheelbase is 1.2 inches longer than on the Sonata Hybrid (113 inches vs. 111.8 inches).

Chassis

The front grille of the Avalon Hybrid uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Avalon Hybrid has 1.2 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 5.6 inches more rear legroom, .3 inches more rear hip room and 1 inch more rear shoulder room than the Sonata Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Avalon Hybrid’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The Sonata Hybrid’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

Ergonomics

The Avalon Hybrid’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Sonata Hybrid’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically. With the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited’s power windows, only the front windows open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Avalon Hybrid the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Sonata Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Avalon Hybrid Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The Avalon Hybrid’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Hyundai only offers heated mirrors on the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited.

The Avalon Hybrid’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Sonata Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Avalon Hybrid has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited. The Avalon Hybrid Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Sonata Hybrid.

Both the Avalon Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Avalon Hybrid has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Avalon Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Avalon Hybrid will cost $95 to $2660 less than the Sonata Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Avalon Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Avalon Hybrid will retain 46.31% to 47.17% of its original price after five years, while the Sonata Hybrid only retains 42.95% to 43.71%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Avalon Hybrid and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, based on reliability, safety and performance.