2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2023 Hyundai Elantra

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra presented a diverse range of options to suit various preferences and budgets. Starting with the base Elantra Essential, it was priced significantly lower than the average new car in Canada, making it an attractive choice for budget-conscious buyers. For those willing to spend more, the Preferred and Luxury trims offered enhanced features, with the Luxury trim exuding an upscale feel that belied its price. The Elantra Hybrid, available as a $2,500 option on the Luxury trim, boasted a fuel efficiency of 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, while maintaining the same exterior appearance as the standard Elantra, save for a subtle "Hybrid" badge. The sporty Elantra N Line Ultimate and the performance-oriented Elantra N, with its 276-horsepower engine, catered to driving enthusiasts. Prices for the Elantra lineup ranged from $20,449 to $39,299, excluding a $1,775 destination charge. The 2023 model year saw minimal changes, with the Luxury and N Line models receiving a 10.25-inch digital instrumentation panel paired with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The Elantra's exterior design was polarizing, but its interior, especially in the Luxury trim, impressed with its light grey leather seats, ambient lighting, and high-tech displays, despite the presence of hard plastic on the upper door panels.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, on the other hand, exuded a near-luxury aura that often drew comparisons to more expensive sedans. Its sleek exterior, reminiscent of the Audi A7, featured a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting. The Accord's length increased by approximately 7 centimetres, contributing to its planted stance and elegant roofline. The Touring trim offered six exterior colours and 19-inch alloy wheels, with optional gloss-black Honda Performance Development wheels available at an additional cost. Inside, the Accord Hybrid Touring boasted a modern dashboard design with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Canyon River Blue Metallic paint and black leather interior of the test model added to its appeal. While cloth seats were standard in the Hybrid Sport, the Touring trim provided a more luxurious experience. The Accord's interior updates, combined with its refined exterior, made it a standout choice for those seeking a sophisticated yet practical sedan.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra Luxury, despite its modest 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, surprised with its driving dynamics. The Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT) and front-wheel drive setup, along with the torsion-beam rear axle suspension, might not have excited car enthusiasts on paper, but the Elantra Luxury delivered a peppy and engaging driving experience. It achieved an average fuel economy of 7.1 L/100 km during testing, close to its official rating of 6.7 L/100 km. While the Elantra N Line Ultimate and Elantra N offered more performance-oriented features like a dual-clutch transmission and independent multi-link rear suspension, the standard Elantra Luxury's ride and handling were commendable. It provided a communicative and compliant ride in city and suburban settings, with a quiet highway experience. The Elantra Luxury's handling was consistent and trustworthy, aided by its 17-inch alloy wheels and 225/45 tires. However, the steering lacked sharpness, and the brakes showed some shuddering under heavy use.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering a combined 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable transmission (CVT). While all-wheel drive was not an option, the Accord Hybrid excelled in smooth and efficient performance. It seamlessly transitioned between electric and gas power, providing ample power for highway merges and passing maneuvers. The suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, offering a balanced ride that was neither too firm nor too soft. The Accord Hybrid's regenerative braking system, with six levels of regen, allowed for fine-tuning and ease of use. Its agile handling made it a relaxing drive in various environments, and despite its increased length, it remained easy to park in tight spaces.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra combined style with practicality, offering a spacious interior suitable for a family of four. The test vehicle featured proximity-sensing keyless entry, a comfortable leather-wrapped driver's seat, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, rear-seat passengers might have found the seating position too reclined, and the absence of rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports was a drawback. The Elantra's trunk provided 402 litres of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding back seat for added utility.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid adopted a layout similar to Honda's Civic and CR-V models, with a honeycomb mesh trim concealing the air vents. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The traditional gearshift lever replaced the previous button system, offering a more intuitive experience. The front seats provided excellent support, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was limited by the roofline. The Accord's trunk boasted 473 litres of capacity, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra expanded the availability of its 10.25-inch digital instrumentation and infotainment displays to various trims. These screens elevated the Elantra's appeal, offering features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a wireless charging pad. However, only Bluetooth supported wireless connectivity, requiring a USB connection for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The voice recognition system had mixed results, and the Bose audio system fell short of expectations. Digital Key technology allowed a compatible smartphone to function as the vehicle's key.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. The Touring trim included a 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports. The intuitive menus and physical controls for volume and climate settings enhanced the user experience.

The 2023 Hyundai Elantra offered a comprehensive suite of standard safety features, including automatic high-beam headlights, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The Elantra Luxury added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came equipped with a robust set of safety features, including a multi-angle rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and more. The Accord Hybrid Touring added front and rear parking sensors and a head-up display. The Accord received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests and safety features.