Honda vs Hyundai – Key Differences and Relative Pros & Cons

Updated: | Author: Tyler Hilgeman | Affiliate links may be present.

Did you hear someone say “Hyundai” and wondered if they can’t read? Did you “correct” him and say that it is pronounced: “Honda?”

After you realized that Hyundai is actually a different company, are you now wondering how it is different from Honda? Are there pros to getting one over the other?

Honda and Hyundai are two different companies that compete on the same level. Honda tends to have better family-oriented cars whereas Hyundai tends to be a bit more affordable and has some of the best warranty plans in the industry. Both bring to the table similar capabilities with a few differences.

Are Honda and Hyundai the Same?

Honda and Hyundai are like Mcdonald’s and Burger King. They are different companies that are close competitors and so their cars often compete for the same spot.

However, there are some differences between them (i.e. think Big Mac vs Whopper) that could impact your choice.

Is Hyundai Better Than Honda (Key Differences)?

We all have our own tastes, and while I may like to argue that a Big Mac is better, I must admit that others are flawed and won’t be able to comprehend the truth as I do…

Anyways, Hyundai and Honda cars are pretty similar and so it really comes down to taste… and whether you are flawed or not.

Reliability

Both are generally reliable. According to Repair Pal, Honda has a reliability rating of 4 stars out of 5 and ranks first out of 32 car brands in reliability. Hyundai has the same reliability rating of 4 stars out of 5 but ranks fourth out of the 32 car brands in reliability.

While it may seem like Honda is winning, Hyundai has a nifty trick up its sleeve. Hyundai has one of the best, if not the best, warranty in the game. Typically, Hyundai’s warranty lasts two times longer than Honda’s, so Hyundai cars have a reputation of lasting long.

Warranty

As for the types of warranty, both have your typical warranty for new vehicles. Honda’s lasts for 3 years for 36,000 miles and Hyundai’s lasts for 6 years for 60,000 miles.

Both offer a powertrain warranty. Honda’s lasts for 5 years per 60,000 miles and Hyundai lasts for 10 years per 100,000 miles!

For those of you who suffer with me in the mid-west due to corrosion problems, thankfully, both offer a corrosion warranty with no mile limit. However, Honda’s lasts for 5 years and Hyundai’s lasts for 7 years.

Lastly, they both offer roadside assistance. However, as you may have guessed, Hyundai’s is better. Hyundai’s lasts for 5 years with no mile limit, whereas, Honda’s lasts for 3 years with a 36,000-mile limit.

So, if you want more peace of mind for a longer period of time that someone will be paying for the faults in your car, then like a good neigh(cough)… excuse me—If you want a car with more warranty, then Hyundai’s is the one to choose.

Safety

When it comes to safety, it really depends on the car. However, a good base comparison would be between the Honda Accord and the Hyundai Sonata.

It should first be noted that “Sonata” does wonders for your voice, whereas if you say “Accord” too many times you may stain your voice. Just something to think about for any of you who are singers out there…

On another note, the Honda Accord did a bit better overall in the IIHS safety ratings. Both did great in the tests, but Honda was able to come out on top.

When it comes to safety features, they tie. They both have the same long list of safety features which does include all the more modern features like:

  • Rear Side Air Bag
  • 4-Wheel ABS
  • 4-Wheel Disc Brakes
  • Brake Assist
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Traction Control
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Lane Keeping Assist

Overall, both cars can be said to be safe. However, Honda came out on top, but not by much, when it comes to safety.

Price

The price varies when it comes to the type of car in question, but Honda and Hyundai cars are usually around the same price.

To use the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata as an example, the Honda Accord cost starts at $26,120 and the Hyundai Sonata cost starts at $24,350.

Like most cars nowadays, you have the option to customize your car which will significantly increase your cost but, if you were to customize both the Accord and Sonata the same way, the end price will be close to the same.

Overall, I am going to have to call this round a tie. You (Accord and Sonata) both put up a good fight, but you lacked any unique creativity that the other did not “steal.”

Pazazz

A car without pazazz is, simply put, a disappointment.

When it comes to the exterior looks, I think it is fair to say that the Hyundai takes the win with its overabundance of chrome plating and light-up chrome strips. However, they are both pretty similar in overall looks.

The interior is where the differences start to come out. To start us off, both have a nice 8-inch touch screen and modern conveniences like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

While Honda has two USB inputs, Hyundai only has one. However, Hyundai offers an option to gain another one for those in the back seat.

As far as the interior aesthetic goes, they both look great. However, Honda decided to pull a fast one on Hyundai and optimize their car for family convenience.

Family Convince

The biggest convenience for a family, when it comes to the Accord, is that it is very easy to hook onto the LATCH connectors that anchor the booster seat.

The Accord even gained a G+ ratting by the IIHS for their excellent LATCH system. On the other hand, the Sonata received an A (acceptable) rating from the IIHS for their LATCH system.

They have a nice flap that you can pull down that reveals the connectors so that you don’t have to find them by shoving your hand between the seats and desperately searching for the connectors that legend says are impossible to find if you’re a father.

It seems as though mothers are not only good at finding things in the pantry that no sane man can find, but they can also find those elusive connectors in non-Honda cars… Anyways, thank you Honda for looking out for the fathers of the world.

Trunk Space

When it comes to trunk space, the Honda Accord has 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space and the Hyundai Sonata has 16 cubic feet of trunk space.

Before you make any hasty conclusions about the trunks of each car, it should be noted that the Hyundai has a pretty cool “secret” trunk release compared to the more obvious Honda trunk release.

Also, when you activate the trunk release, the Honda trunk “lid” does not fully open, whereas the Hyundai’s trunk does fully open. It’s a small feature, but it adds to the overall convenience.

All in all, both have their pluses and minus, and it really comes down to your preferences. If you want a more family-friendly car, then the Accord is the better way to go, but if you are looking for a bit more style and some minute, though interesting features, then the Sonata might be the one for you.

Performance

Using the example of the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata, the Accord can go 30 to 38 mpg, depending on whether you are driving in the city or not, whereas, the Sonata can go 27 to 37 mpg.

The Accord base engine is a 4-cylinder turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and can go 0-60 in 5.9 seconds! This results in 192 hp and 192 pound-feet of torque… not too shabby.

On the other hand, the Sonata base engine is a 4-cylinder 2.5-liter engine. This results in 191 hp and 181 pound-feet of torque.

If you want a turbocharged engine in the Sonata, then you do have the option to upgrade it to a similar engine to the Accord with a 1.6-liter turbocharged (4-cylinder) engine. With the base engine, the Sonata can go 0-60 in 7.6 seconds.

Choices

I think it should be noted that both companies provide hybrid and full-electric options. However, Honda does not have a fully electric option available in the U.S. market whereas Hyaudia does.

The starting price for Hyundai’s fully electric vehicle—IONIQ 5—is $43,6050! But, at least they have one.

As for the Hybrid options, Honda has some affordable options starting at as low as $25,760 dollars, whereas, Hyaudia’s hybrid options tend to start around the $33,000 mark.

Final Thoughts

Both companies produce great affordable vehicles with similar capabilities. If you have a young family or plan to have a family, then a Honda will provide you with overall comfort and convenience for your family. On the other hand, the Hyundai provides a similar capability with some more exterior class and costs about $2000 less.

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About Tyler Hilgeman

Tyler is an automotive and DIY research writer. He revels in saved money from DIY jobs and screeches at “cheap” estimates from auto body and mechanic shops. Part of his life’s work is to create a better world where automobiles are more understood and appreciated for who they are (R.I.P. My Beloved Toyota Camry — “Betsy” 1998-2021).

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