Compare the2024 Hyundai SonataVS 2024 Honda Accord

The Sonata offers all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Accord doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Sonata has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. Only the Accord EX/Sport/EX-L/Touring offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Sonata 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 and the Accord have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, 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.

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

Hyundai pays for scheduled maintenance on the Sonata 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’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Hyundai vehicles are better in initial quality than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Hyundai above average in initial quality. With 2 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is rated lower.

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 N Line’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 86 more horsepower (290 vs. 204) and 64 lbs.-ft. more torque (311 vs. 247) than the Accord Hybrid’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Hyundai Sonata 4 cyl. is faster than the Honda Accord:

The Sonata has 3.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord Hybrid’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 12.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Sonata has 1.1 gallons more fuel capacity than the Accord’s standard fuel tank (15.9 vs. 14.8 gallons).

The Sonata N Line’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The Accord doesn’t offer launch control.

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

The Sonata stops shorter than the Accord:

For better traction, the Sonata N Line’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Accord (245/40R19 vs. 235/40R19).

For better maneuverability, the Sonata’s turning circle is 2.5 feet tighter than the Accord’s (35.9 feet vs. 38.4 feet).

The Sonata has .5 inches more front headroom, 3.8 inches more front legroom and 1.1 inches more rear headroom than the Accord.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Sonata’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Accord’s useful trunk space.

The Sonata’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’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.

The Sonata’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Accord Sport-L/EX-L/Touring.

The Sonata 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.

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