Compare the2022 Honda InsightVS 2022 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

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

Both the Insight and the Sonata Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

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

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 Insight is safer than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

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 “Good” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Insight its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 80 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Sonata Hybrid is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2022.

There are over 29 percent more Honda dealers than there are Hyundai dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Insight’s warranty.

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.

As tested in Car and Driver the Honda Insight is faster than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Insight EX gets better fuel mileage than the Sonata Hybrid (55 city/49 hwy vs. 45 city/51 hwy).

The Insight can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1 miles. The Sonata Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

The Insight 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.

The Insight stops shorter than the Sonata Hybrid:

For better traction, the Insight has larger tires than the Sonata Hybrid (215/55R16 vs. 205/65R16).

The Insight EX’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 Insight Touring’s tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Sonata Hybrid SEL/Limited’s 55 series tires.

The Insight’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.

The Insight EX handles at .87 G’s, while the Sonata Hybrid Limited pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Insight Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Sonata Hybrid Limited (27 seconds @ .63 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The Honda Insight may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 350 to 450 pounds less than the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

The Insight is 9.3 inches shorter than the Sonata Hybrid, making the Insight easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Insight 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.

The Insight 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 Insight’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.

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

The Insight’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.

Insurance will cost less for the Insight owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Insight will cost $250 to $3065 less than the Sonata Hybrid over a five-year period.

The Insight will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Insight will retain 45.55% to 46.09% 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 Insight will be $4924 to $6832 less than for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.

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