Honda Accord vs. Hyundai Sonata
There has been so much progress in the world of automotive engineering, that there has been no clear ‘leader of the pack’ for a long time, and this is evident in the mid-size sedan market, which is thought of as family. sedan segment. For decades, only one name has been registering above its class, and that’s the Honda Accord. Pretenders and contenders have come and gone, but the Honda Accord continues to raise the bar. This time around, we take a look at whether the new Hyundai Sonata can keep up with the pack leader. As a matter of fair play, we take a look at the entry-level models of each car.
We start with the base model, the Honda Accord LX, which has a 2.4L inline-4, producing 177 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission gearbox. This economical engine has a fuel economy of 25 miles per gallon for city and highway driving. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price for this model starts at $21,765.
The base model Hyundai Sonata, on the other hand, starts at just $18,700, and for this, you get a good value vehicle. A standard 2.4L inline-4, with a 16-valve engine, powers the car, giving it a modest 175bhp at 6000rpm. Twenty-five miles per gallon is this model’s fuel-efficient capability, and a 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, although there is an option to choose a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive.
Both cars offer 4-wheel ABS on ventilated disc brakes. Both are front-wheel drive, with 16-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 all-season tires. In terms of curb weight, the Accord LX comes in at 3,230 lbs., compared to the Sonata, which weighs in at 3,292 lbs. with the manual gearbox, and tops out at 3,327 lbs. If you opt for the automatic transmission.
Remember, though, that all of these numbers are for the entry-level models only. Things get a little more exclusive, more competitive, and more expensive as you go up the different trim levels. The Accord offers three different trim levels, namely the base LX, the upgraded EX, and the top of the line EX-L, which offers premium features such as leather upholstery and an optional navigation system.
The Sonata, on the other hand, is available in 5 trims, including the base GLS, the SE and SE V6, and the Limited and Limited V6, which pretty much offer all the amenities its counterpart here has to offer for a lower price. Knowing this fact makes choosing the best value car a bit of a headache, so let’s boil it all down to one question. Creatures aside, what does one have that the other doesn’t? The answer: The Honda Accord has a great history.
The Accord is known for being a perennial ’10 Best Cars of the Year’ and ‘Car of the Year’ contender. Its reliability and build quality is unquestionable, and it’s also competitively priced. Needless to say, it will be a good long-term investment. As for the Hyundai Sonata, though, its reputation isn’t proven yet, so it might not be so great for budget-conscious buyers for now.
