2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Honda Accord

The 2021 Honda Accord was a staple in the midsize sedan market, facing off against a variety of competitors like the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, and Hyundai Sonata. To maintain its competitive edge, Honda introduced a mid-generation refresh for the Accord, enhancing its appeal with a wider, restyled grille that gave the car a more sculpted appearance. The Honda Sensing safety system's radar unit was better integrated into the design, improving the vehicle's overall aesthetic. The Accord's lighting system was upgraded with LED headlights and lowlights, providing excellent visibility at night. The 2021 model also featured new alloy wheel designs and a fresh Sonic Gray Pearl paint option, adding a touch of uniqueness to the lineup.

Inside, the Accord offered a sophisticated interior with high-quality materials, even in lower trims. The SE and Sport trims featured cloth seats, while the EX-L and higher trims boasted leather-trimmed seating. A power moonroof was standard from the Sport trim, although it slightly reduced headroom for front-seat occupants. The Accord's interior was well-designed, with all essential controls within easy reach, and the trunk offered a generous 473 litres of cargo space. The Canada-exclusive SE trim provided a well-rounded package with heated front seats and smartphone integration, making it an attractive option for Canadian buyers.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata, on the other hand, showcased a bold design that set it apart from its competitors. With a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline, the Sonata's exterior was distinctive, though opinions on its aesthetics varied. Inside, the Sonata offered a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the segment, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was slightly smaller than the Accord's but still provided ample storage.

The Sonata's interior featured a functional layout with clearly marked gauges and dials. The N Line trim added sporty touches like dark chrome trim and red stitching, enhancing the car's personality. The Sonata also offered innovative features like Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allowed the car to be moved in and out of tight parking spaces using the key fob. This feature, available on the Ultimate grade in Canada, added a touch of convenience and modernity to the Sonata's package.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options, catering to different driving preferences. The standard engine was a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder, delivering 192 pound-feet of torque and paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This engine was available on the SE, Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims. For those seeking more power, the Accord Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 featured a 2.0-litre turbo-four engine, producing 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines ran on regular unleaded fuel, and while the 2.0-litre engine offered a more engaging driving experience, the 1.5-litre was efficient and suitable for daily driving.

The Accord's fuel economy varied between the two engines, with the 1.5-litre engine achieving 7.2 to 7.5 litres per 100 kilometres combined, depending on the trim, and the 2.0-litre engine consuming 9.1 L/100 km combined. The Accord's front-wheel-drive setup provided good handling and maneuverability, though it lacked the option for all-wheel drive. Paddle shifters were available on the Sport and Touring trims, enhancing the driving experience in certain situations. The 2021 model also featured an upgraded braking system for smoother engagement at low speeds.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 191-horsepower 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 181 pound-feet of torque. This engine was standard on the Preferred trim and provided adequate performance for everyday driving. The Sport and Luxury trims featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the 1.6-litre engine included paddle shifters for added control.

For those seeking a more spirited driving experience, the Sonata N Line offered a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup, along with sport suspension and tuned exhaust, transformed the Sonata into a more dynamic vehicle. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and while an all-wheel-drive option would have been a welcome addition, the Sonata's ride and handling were competent, providing a smooth and quiet driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed with practicality in mind, offering a spacious and comfortable interior for five passengers. The front seats provided ample head-, hip-, and legroom, accommodating larger occupants with ease. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split and centre armrest, allowing for pass-through access to the trunk. With 473 litres of cargo space, the Accord's trunk was one of the largest in the midsize sedan segment, providing plenty of room for luggage and other items.

The Accord's cabin was thoughtfully designed, with all essential controls within easy reach of the driver. The infotainment system was easily accessible by both the driver and front-seat passenger, and the interior featured a range of convenience features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. While small-item storage was not exceptional, it was better than some competitors, with a small cubby at the front of the centre console for storing personal items.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, making it one of the roomiest options in the midsize sedan segment. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the class, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was slightly smaller than the Accord's but still provided ample storage for luggage and other items.

The Sonata's interior featured a functional layout with clearly marked gauges and dials. The N Line trim added sporty touches like dark chrome trim and red stitching, enhancing the car's personality. The Sonata also offered innovative features like Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allowed the car to be moved in and out of tight parking spaces using the key fob. This feature, available on the Ultimate grade in Canada, added a touch of convenience and modernity to the Sonata's package.

The 2021 Honda Accord was well-equipped with technology, featuring an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. The system was responsive and user-friendly, offering standard features like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and hands-free text messaging. Higher trims added features like satellite radio, HD radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring and Touring 2.0 trims included an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display, providing additional convenience and functionality.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of infotainment options, with the base SE trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Sport grade added SiriusXM satellite radio and BlueLink connected services. 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 for smartphones. The Bose audio system was particularly impressive, delivering excellent sound quality and value.

The 2021 Honda Accord was equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including vehicle stability assist with traction control, brake assist, a rearview camera, LED daytime running lights, and traffic sign recognition. The Honda Sensing suite added advanced driver-assist technologies like lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, earning a Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall safety rating, respectively.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata also offered a robust package of safety features, with standard equipment including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. The Sonata received five stars from the NHTSA for overall crash protection and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. The Sonata's advanced safety systems worked seamlessly, providing peace of mind without being intrusive.