2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. The hybrid powertrain added a premium of approximately $3,000 to $4,000 over the non-hybrid models. The Accord Hybrid was not offered in a Sport trim. The car was praised for its attractive design, with a well-proportioned and stylish appearance that was rare for Honda. Minor front styling updates included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim featured new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, which, while visually appealing, were challenging to clean. The interior of the Accord Hybrid was upscale, with high-quality materials and a logical layout of controls. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was user-friendly, and the car offered excellent outward visibility.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, in its seventh generation, had evolved from its early days of mimicking the Honda Accord to developing its own distinctive style. The Sonata featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline, which gave it a unique appearance. The interior was spacious, with a functional layout and average material quality for the segment. The Limited trim offered comfortable leather seats, although the tan upholstery was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line provided a sportier option with a body kit, gloss black accents, and dual exhaust outlets. The N Line's interior featured dark chrome trim and red stitching, adding personality to the cabin. The Sonata's design was subjective, with some finding it attractive and others less so.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system that combined a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a generator/starter motor and an electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, providing quick acceleration from a standstill. The car achieved a fuel efficiency of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a slightly higher average of 5.5 L/100 km during testing. The powertrain operated in three modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, with additional driver-selectable modes for EV, Econ, and Sport. The Accord Hybrid offered improved throttle response and a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The car's handling was athletic, with a compliant ride and excellent regenerative braking system.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. A turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft was available on the Sport and Luxury trims. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line featured a more powerful 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a sport suspension. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The Sonata provided a smooth ride and competent handling, with a quiet cabin that offered near-luxury levels of noise abatement.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid impressed with its spacious interior, offering a full-size sedan experience in a midsize package. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and large back seat provided ample leg support, while the Touring trim added heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin, hidden storage compartments, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 473-litre trunk was the largest in its segment, accommodating full-size suitcases and offering 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added utility.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. The front seats offered excellent headroom and legroom, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was spacious, holding a complete set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward with the press of a button, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added a head-up display, navigation with bilingual voice recognition, and quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. Wireless charging for smartphones was also standard. While the voice-activated navigation system worked well, it required specific prompts and pathways to function effectively.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim level. Base SE versions included an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and wireless charging. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was easy, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS by redesigning its LED headlights. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Honda Sensing suite offered adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, with refinements for smoother operation. However, some features, like low-speed automatic braking, required recalibration for improved performance.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata came equipped with a comprehensive package of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. The NHTSA awarded the Sonata five stars for overall crash protection, while the IIHS gave it top "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The Sonata's advanced driving assistance systems worked seamlessly, with no false alarms during testing.