Compare the2022 Honda Accord HybridVS 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

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

Safety

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The Honda Accord 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.

Using vehicle speed sensors and seat sensors, smart airbags in the Accord Hybrid deploy with different levels of force or don’t deploy at all to help better protect passengers of all sizes in different collisions. The Accord Hybrid’s side airbags will shut off if a child is leaning against the door. The Sonata Hybrid’s airbags don’t have smart features and will always deploy full force.

Both the Accord Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, 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, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

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

	Accord Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	261	514
Leg Forces (l/r)	231/338 lbs.	321/341 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	266	346
Chest Compression	.4 inches	.5 inches
Neck Compression	54 lbs.	189 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 Honda Accord Hybrid is safer than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

	Accord Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	140	163
Chest Movement	.8 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	152 G’s	305 G’s
Hip Force	431 lbs.	498 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	62 G’s	72 G’s
Hip Force	428 lbs.	539 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	20 inches
HIC	242	288
Spine Acceleration	34 G’s	38 G’s

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

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Accord Hybrid its highest rating: “Top Pick Plus” for 2021, a rating granted to only 74 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sonata Hybrid is only a standard “Top Pick” for 2021.

Warranty

There are over 28 percent more Honda dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Accord 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 Accord Hybrid’s reliability 16 points higher than the Sonata Hybrid.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Honda vehicles are more reliable than Hyundai vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Honda 1 place higher in reliability than Hyundai.

Engine

The Accord Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 20 more horsepower (212 vs. 192) than the Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Honda Accord Hybrid is faster than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

	Accord Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	5 sec	5.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	91 MPH	90 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Accord Hybrid has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission

The Accord 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

For better stopping power the Accord Hybrid’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Sonata Hybrid:

	Accord Hybrid	Sonata Hybrid
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	12 inches

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Accord Hybrid has larger standard tires than the Sonata Hybrid (225/50R17 vs. 205/65R16). The Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Sonata Hybrid (235/40R19 vs. 215/55R17).

The Accord Hybrid’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Sonata Hybrid Blue’s standard 65 series tires. The Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring’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 Accord Hybrid has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Sonata Hybrid Blue. The Accord Hybrid Sport/Touring’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 17-inch wheels on the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

The Accord Hybrid offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The Sonata Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Accord Hybrid has vehicle speed sensitive 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.

The Accord Hybrid’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

Chassis

The front grille of the Accord 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.

The Accord Hybrid uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Passenger Space

The Accord Hybrid has .7 inches more front hip room, .4 inches more front shoulder room, 5.6 inches more rear legroom, .6 inches more rear hip room and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the Sonata Hybrid.

Cargo Capacity

The Accord Hybrid has a larger trunk than the Sonata Hybrid (16.7 vs. 16 cubic feet).

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Accord Hybrid offers cargo security. The Sonata Hybrid’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

Ergonomics

The Accord Hybrid has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Sonata Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Accord Hybrid’s front power windows 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. The Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited’s rear windows don’t close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Accord 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. The driver of the Sonata Hybrid can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

Consumer Reports rated the Accord Hybrid’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Sonata Hybrid’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

Both the Accord Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid offer available heated front seats. The Accord Hybrid Touring 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.

Economic Advantages

Insurance will cost less for the Accord Hybrid owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Accord Hybrid will cost $1075 less than the Sonata Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Accord Hybrid will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Accord Hybrid will retain 48.24% to 49.8% of its original price after five years, while the Sonata Hybrid only retains 42.95% to 43.71%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Honda Accord Hybrid will be $1540 to $1662 less than for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

Recommendations

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

The Accord was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 25 of the last 27 years. The Sonata Hybrid has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Honda Accord outsold the Hyundai Sonata by over two to one during the 2021 model year.