2022 Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata

Sedans might seem like they are becoming a thing of the past, but there are still a few mid-size sedans hanging in there for those who don't want something big like an SUV. Honda and Hyundai both have their hats in the game and prove to be fierce competitors. The 2022 Honda Accord and 2022 Hyundai Sonata are bound to make the list of sedans to test-drive, so let's take some time to talk about what they have to offer.

On the 2022 Accord, you can choose between several engines that blend fuel efficiency and power. The Accord's sporty handling makes it rather engaging to drive, and there are plenty of advanced driver aids that come standard to help keep you safe on the road. To top that off, high-end materials adorn the spaciously designed cabin, giving you a sense of luxury as you go higher in trim levels.

But the Accord isn't perfect. Its cabin isn't as well muted from sound as other mid-size sedans, and the driver's seat's low position might make it difficult for you to get in and out of this vehicle.

The Hyundai Sonata has some good things going for it as well. Aesthetically, it looks just as sporty and agile as the Accord. In fact, they look an awful lot alike when you glance at them in succession. The N Line serves up an outstanding performance, and there is a massive list of standard tech features and driver aids that lend to the Sonata's value. With plenty of cargo space and interior storage areas, you can fit your items pretty much anywhere.

Unfortunately, the interior build quality seems to be a bit lacking. Also, on the Sonata, comfort is lacking, especially when compared to the super cozy Accord.

So, which of these sedans is the right one for you? What makes them such fierce rivals? Read on to see how the Accord and Sonata stack up against one another. That way, you can make a more informed decision when you go to test-drive each sedan.

The Powertrain

A good powertrain can make the driving experience an enjoyable one, to be sure. But a bland, under-powered powertrain can make ownership nothing short of a nightmare. That is why it is important to know exactly what is powering your new vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Accord is powered by a standard turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that is able to generate a power output of 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. This engine gets matched up to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that deliver power to the front wheels. Both the Sport 2.0T and Touring trim levels receive their power from a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that dishes out 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with a traditional 10-speed automatic transmission instead of the more economy-oriented CVT. Additionally, there is a hybrid option that you can pursue.

On the base powertrain, you can get the Accord from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 8 seconds flat. This time is pretty typical for the segment, but the available 2.0-L turbo engine is able to get the vehicle moving a bit more rapidly. Either way, you get a quick response to all of your inputs. Even though the CVT tries to lower engine rpms as much as it can to conserve fuel, it smoothly delivers power to the wheels right when you need it. Cornering and braking both feel secure, and while the steering doesn't provide much feedback, it is accurate and well weighted for the driver's hands.

The base engine offers up an EPA estimated 32-33 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. However, real-world estimates place this number at 28-29 mpg. These little turbo engines seem to be thirstier than expected when subjected to real-world driving styles.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata is powered by a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generates a power output of 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivers that power to the front wheels via the front-wheel drive drivetrain. Upgrading to the SEL Plus will get you a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that has less horsepower (180 hp) but more torque (195 lb-ft of torque). The most exciting option comes on the line-topping N Line, which is powered by a turbo 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that puts forth 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It is paired up to an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The 1.6-L turbo engine can get from 0 to 60 mph in 7.6 seconds, which is decent enough for keeping pace on the highway, but you do have to press down harder on the accelerator than you would on other vehicles. The ride feels too firm for the liking, and when you lightly and consistently apply brake pressure, you will feel some pulsations under your foot. On the whole, the driving performance is pretty basic - nothing too exciting, nothing too horrible.

Fuel economy is pretty average. On the 1.6-L turbo engine, you get 31 mpg in combined driving. However, real-world tests have not been able to match these numbers and yield more along the lines of 26-27 mpg combined. The base engine at least does get you about 32 mpg combined.

Drivability

Drivability is an all-encompassing term we use to describe the factors that make a vehicle enjoyable or horrible to drive. How comfortable is it for everyone to ride in? Is the ride quality smooth and refined? Are the interior materials of a high quality? Is everything inside the cabin logically laid out for ease of access for the driver? Are the tech features functional and easy to learn to use? How much cargo space will you get, and how much utility comes with it? These are some of the big factors we consider when discussing a vehicle's drivability.

The 2022 Honda Accord is characterized by a high degree of comfort inside of the cabin. Quiet and cozy, the cabin offers its occupants ample spinal support and head-rests that are placed in just the right spots. You can easily find a good seating position to help get you through long commutes given how adjustable the driver's seat happens to be, but the seat bottoms don't offer a ton of padding. The automatic climate control system distributes airflow with ease and makes sense when it comes to the controls themselves. The adaptive suspension and 19-inch wheels on the Touring trim level don't exactly enhance the ride quality, and the adaptive shock absorbers aren't all that helpful either. You'll be doing just fine with the regular suspension, shock absorbers, and smaller wheels. There is some audible tire noise on the highway, but otherwise, the cabin remains well muted from noise intrusion.

Now, the interior itself is quite cleverly crafted. The materials appear to be manufactured from high quality stuff and pieced together quite well - no obvious paneling gaps or weird rattling noises. There are a lot physical controls for the basic functions, and all of these buttons and knobs are easy to use. The only controls that aren't that easy to use are the ones mounted onto the steering wheel, but along the dash, they do just fine. There isn't a ton of head room in the rear since the sloping roofline cuts it down. Leg space is abundant enough, and there is more than enough space in the front seat. This just isn't the easiest sedan to get in and out of since the door sills are wide and high.

Technology is mostly good on the Accord. If you opt for the in-vehicle navigation system, then you will get treated to some sharp-looking graphics and easy-to-follow instructions. The gauge screen cluster and head-up display also look nice in conjunction with the infotainment display if you opt for them. Near-field Bluetooth is helpful, as is the standard smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the upgraded sound system makes crisp sound at high volume without distortion, it isn't anything too exceptional for the price you pay.

Storage space is a highlight for the Accord. The trunk opening is nice and wide with a flat load floor that makes loading and unloading cargo simple. The 60/40-split folding rear seats give you enough pass-through space when you fold the seats down. There is also plenty of space in the cabin for stashing small items. There are plenty of charging ports up front, and if you opt for it, the wireless charging pad adds a nice slot for sticking your smartphone. The center console has a deep storage bin that can hold a good amount of stuff too.

So, how does the 2022 Hyundai Sonata stack up against the Accord? Spinal support is not ample enough on even the front seats, and some of the interior materials have a somewhat mediocre quality. The front seats aren't as adjustable as they are in the Accord and other top sedans, and the ride quality is just too firm for this segment. The ventilated and heated front seats do feel quite nice, and the climate controls are effective at heating and cooling the entire cabin.

The interior is characterized by intuitively designed controls along the dash. The push-button start is the one sore spot though, as it means you have to pay close attention to make sure you're selecting the right gear. The cabin does offer plenty of space for everyone no matter their size. But taller folks will have to duck down while getting in and out since the seats aren't all that adjustable.

If you upgrade to the 10.3-inch touchscreen display, you will likely enjoy the crisp graphics. The navigation system and voice controls are functional, and the screen supports widescreen smartphone app integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The trunk opening is quite big, so you can easily get cargo in and out of the trunk. You can effortlessly access the buttons to release the back seats for pass-through space. The center console is a real gem, giving you a ton of spaces for stashing your small items. In fact, you will find a lot of helpful storage areas throughout the cabin.

Safety

Safety is a major concern for many drivers. Auto makers are perfectly aware of the demand for advanced safety features and designs, hence why Honda and Hyundai both outfit their sedans with the latest and greatest in safety features. On the 2022 Honda Accord, you get the Sensing suite of standard driver aids. This equips the vehicle with lane keep assist, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. You can upgrade in trim levels in order to get parking sensors for the front and rear as well as a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The Touring trim level comes with low-speed anti-collision braking. Adaptive cruise control occasionally picks up on neighboring lane markers, and the forward collision warning can be a little sensitive even though it doesn't issue false alerts.

Hyundai puts its own bundle onto the 2022 Sonata. Adaptive cruise control, forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection, a driver attention warning, and lane keep assist are all standard issue. The second-up SEL trim level gives you blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert and a safety exit warning. The SEL Plus tacks on advanced adaptive cruise and lane keeping systems. The Limited goes all-out by equipping rear automatic braking, a blind-spot view monitor, a 360-degree surround-view monitor, and Hyundai's Smart Parking Assist, which lets the driver exit the Sonata and remotely guide it into a parking spot via the downloaded smartphone app.

Which Has the Best Value?

Value is something buyers should always consider as they go about making their final purchasing decisions. Which vehicle will give them the most bang for their buck? You can't exactly tell this just from one test-drive. That's why you should look into a vehicle's pricing, warranty coverage, and how owners are rating these vehicles in their online reviews - and do so with every vehicle you consider.

The 2022 Honda Accord offers plenty of value. You get an abundance of standard safety and tech features, most of which are known to work well enough. The interior materials are top-notch with plenty of soft-touch surfaces, and there is plentiful space in the cabin and trunk. Warranty coverage is average, but the deal is sweetened by the incredible interior design and long history of reliability.

There's a good amount of value to be found in the 2022 Hyundai Sonata too. You get a ton of standard tech and safety features, and they are helpful for daily drivers. With some best-in-class warranty coverage, people are attracted to Hyundai vehicles. Unfortunately, some of the paneling gaps, the powertrain performances, and not-so-great fuel economy detract from the value you see on paper.

Which is Better?

On the whole, the 2022 Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata are strong, capable, and safe sedans to buy. Each one is generous on space and included tech features, but the stand-out performer is the Accord. Its engines are better able to blend powerful performance with efficiency. The CVT helps with fuel economy, and Honda has that thing down to a science. While the Sonata is great for warranty coverage, the Accord has a superb history on the road and is loaded with a lot of functional and helpful features.