2018 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2018 Honda Accord

Size Comparison

Both the 2018 Hyundai Sonata and the 2018 Honda Accord are mid-size sedans with four doors. You'll be able to comfortably seat five passengers in each sedan, though the degree of comfort will vary by sedan and by passenger.

The Hyundai Sonata has an inch more height than the 2018 Honda Accord, and that difference shows inside, where passengers have more headroom in the front and the back seats. The Sonata puts more emphasis on leg room in the front seats, offering a full three inches more space, but it does so at the expense of leg room in the rear. If you plan to have taller passengers (not likely unless you have fully grown children who still ride with you regularly), you?ll want to opt for the Accord rather than the Sonata. However, most buyers will want that legroom in the front and prefer the Sonata.

Other size specs are comparable on these two sedans, with the Sonata being just an inch shorter and just a smidge wider. Passengers won't notice the impact of these minute differences.

Interior Differences

You'll find a stylish interior in both the 2018 Hyundai Sonata and the 2018 Honda Accord, but the Sonata has the edge with more high-quality materials and features. The Accord has soft-touch materials that look nice, but the Sonata has leather upholstery. Both cars have power driver seats, but the Sonata also has a power passenger seat.

Both sedans have features like a sunroof, infotainment system, and power features. However, the Sonata includes extras like a heated steering wheel and adaptive head lights. The technology is easy to use, and features make driving more comfortable and fun.

You have the option to add an accessories package on either sedan to ensure that you get exactly the features that you want. However, you will find that you will get plenty of great features in either sedan that will more than satisfy you. The 2018 Hyundai Sonata offers even more with its base model, saving you money and ensuring that you have a great ride.

Performance

Dependable performance and a smooth ride are highly sought-after characteristics of a mid-sized sedan, and both the 2018 Hyundai Sonata and the 2018 Honda Accord offer them.

If you're looking for a bit more oomph in your ride, the Honda Accord does offer a slight advantage here. The Accord comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 192 horse power and 192 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a continuously variable transmission and gets an estimated fuel economy of 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. In contrast, the Hyundai Sonata comes with a larger engine, but it is not turbocharged, so it doesn?t get as much horse power. It has a 2.4-liter Inline4 engine that puts out 185 horse power and 178 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and gets an estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

The difference isn't profound, and most drivers won't notice it on their test drive. However, those with more refined preferences here will enjoy the Accord more.

Both sedans offer an option engine. For the Honda Accord, it's a 2.0-liter turbocharged Inline4 engine. The Hyundai Sonata offers a couple of options: A 2.0-liter turbocharged Inline4 engine or a 1.6-liter turbocharged Inline4 engine. Both also offer hybrid options.

Pricing

Mid-sized sedans come at mid-range pricing, as you might expect. The 2018 Honda Accord starts at $24,460, which some drivers might find out of budget. In contrast, the 2018 Hyundai Sonata starts at $22,935, which can fit into the budgets of many more drivers.

When looking at the pricing, it's important that you look at everything you are getting, as well. Not only will you be paying less for the Hyundai Sonata, but you?ll also be getting a more upscale interior with more space and more features. You'll love driving the Sonata, and you won't pay as much for it.

If you think you want to upgrade to a higher trim level or you want to add an options package, the Hyundai Sonata is also a better choice since it offers more on the base model (meaning you'll have to supplement less) and it has a lower starting price to leave more space in your budget.

Which is Right for You?

You might have a hard time choosing between the 2018 Hyundai Sonata and the 2018 Honda Accord. Both are stylish yet affordable sedans that are loaded with features and offer safe and dependable performance.

For some, the ultimate choice might come down to something specific, like the slightly enhanced performance that the Accord offers or the additional space or convenience features that the Sonata offers. For others, the decision will be made after a careful analysis of the overall advantages that each offers. If you are in the latter camp, we?re sure that you?ll find that the 2018 Hyundai Sonata is the better buy ? both in terms of a lower price and of overall value.

Visit your local Hyundai dealership today to take a test drive of the 2018 Sonata. You'll love the way it feels slipping into the comfortable yet luxurious leather seats, and you'll love the smooth handling the Sonata offers. Talk to the dealership about what specials are available and what financing options can help you keep your monthly costs low. You might even be able to fit the extra features you want into the budget.