Compare the2023 Hyundai Sonata HybridVS 2023 Honda Accord

The Sonata Hybrid Limited has a standard Around View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Accord only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sonata Hybrid has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring offers Cross Traffic Monitor and the Accord’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

Both the Sonata Hybrid and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear 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 and driver alert monitors.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Sonata Hybrid the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Accord has not been tested, yet.

The Sonata Hybrid comes with a full 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Accord’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 2 years or 24,000 miles sooner.

Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers the Sonata Hybrid 5 years and 40,000 miles longer than Honda covers the Accord. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Coverage on the Accord ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The Sonata Hybrid’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the Accord’s (7 vs. 5 years).

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata Hybrid for 1 year and 12000 miles longer than Honda pays for maintenance for the Accord (3/36,000 vs. 2/24,000).

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai third in reliability, above the industry average. With 82 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 24th.

The Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 79 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 192) than the Accord’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 24 lbs.-ft. more torque (271 vs. 247) than the Accord Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the Sonata Hybrid gets better mileage than the Accord:

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

The Sonata Hybrid’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Accord are solid, not vented.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Sonata Hybrid is 1.6 inches wider in the front and .4 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Accord.

For better maneuverability, the Sonata Hybrid’s turning circle is 2.3 feet tighter than the Accord’s (36.1 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Sonata Hybrid has .5 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front legroom and .5 inches more rear headroom than the Accord.

The Sonata Hybrid’s standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Accord’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the Sonata Hybrid’s trunk can be opened just by waiting momentarily behind the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Accord doesn’t offer a hands-free gesture to open its trunk, forcing you to put cargo down if your hands are full.

On extremely cold winter days, the Sonata Hybrid Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Sonata Hybrid has a standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. Dual zone air conditioning is only available on the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring.

The Sonata Hybrid Limited’s Remote Smart Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Remote Smart Parking Assist will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Accord doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

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