2019 Hyundai Elantra vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant redesign, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, along with redesigned wheels, a new trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. While the design was described as kaleidoscopic, it seemed to lack the appeal of its predecessor. Inside, subtle changes improved the interior, with new air vents, carbon-texture finishes, and revised dashboard controls adding excitement to the cabin. The interior quality was high, with a robust shifter and tightly assembled parts, though some materials felt inexpensive. The Elantra was available in various trims, with prices starting at $16,999 for the Essential model, and the Ultimate trim offering advanced features like adaptive cruise control and a larger touchscreen display.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord was considered one of the most stylish Accords in history, with a sleek design that belied its status as a mainstream family sedan. The Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trims featured 19-inch alloy wheels, enhancing the car's visual presence. The Accord was available in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $28,705. The interior was praised for its quality, with soft touchpoints, comfortable leather, and a matte-finish simulated wood trim. The Accord's cabin was spacious, offering ample rear-seat legroom and cargo space, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels. While the Elantra offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, its driving dynamics were not particularly inspiring. The car's fuel efficiency was rated at 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a test loop returning 8.0 L/100 km. Handling was decent, though the ride quality was affected by the torsion-beam rear-axle suspension.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a more dynamic driving experience, with a standard turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivered 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's fuel efficiency was impressive, with the hybrid powertrain averaging 5.5 L/100 km. The Accord 2.0T was quick and fun to drive, with adaptive dampers and sticky tires enhancing its handling. The steering was accurate, and the brakes were well-calibrated, though they could grumble under heavy use.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort, with height-adjustable seats and heated front seats standard across all trims in Canada. The rear seat was less comfortable, with hard plastic front seatbacks and a lack of air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a good-sized centre-console bin and a sizable glove box. The Elantra's trunk offered 408 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free Smart Trunk feature on most trims.

The 2020 Honda Accord was spacious, with a comfortable 12-way power driver's seat and ample rear-seat legroom. The rear seat was particularly comfortable, with wide doors for easy access and heated outboard positions on higher trims. The Accord's trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, accommodating full-size suitcases. The interior featured plenty of storage space, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra came with a rear-view camera and Bluetooth connectivity as standard. Most trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Ultimate trim offered an 8-inch display, Infinity premium sound system, and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quality switchgear and impressive sound quality. The Elantra also offered a five-year trial of Hyundai Bluelink services on higher trims.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A ten-speaker premium audio system was standard on Sport trim, with additional features like HondaLink services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and wireless charging on Touring trim. The infotainment system lacked natural voice recognition but was otherwise user-friendly. A head-up display was exclusive to the Touring trim, and the Accord offered good visibility with a reversing camera.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra included driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning and lane-departure warning on most trims. Higher trims offered adaptive cruise control and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH anchor accessibility. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating.

The 2020 Honda Accord was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. Honda Sensing was standard on all trims, offering features like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was reserved for the Touring trim, and the system could benefit from refinement in adaptive cruise control and warning alerts.