2020 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2019 Hyundai Elantra

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra received a significant facelift, featuring new styling elements forward of the windshield and front doors, redesigned wheels, and a revamped trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. While the previous model had a more conservative and upscale look, the 2019 version adopted a more geometric and kaleidoscopic design, which may not have been as universally appealing. Inside, the Elantra saw subtle improvements, such as new air vents, a carbon-texture finish on some plastic housings, updated gauges, and revised dashboard controls, enhancing the overall cabin experience. The interior quality was generally high, with a robust and solid shifter, although some materials felt inexpensive, which is typical for a compact car.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid maintained a consistent look with the rest of the Accord lineup, with only subtle "Hybrid" badges and aerodynamic 17-inch aluminum wheels distinguishing it. This approach avoided the odd design cues often seen in hybrid versions of mainstream vehicles, making it appealing to those who liked the standard Accord's design. The Accord Hybrid was available in four trim levels: Hybrid, Hybrid EX, Hybrid EX-L, and Hybrid Touring, with prices starting at $25,620. The interior featured high-quality materials, including leather and simulated matte-finish wood trim, giving it an upscale feel. The floor mats, however, were prone to collecting pet hair, making them difficult to clean.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower, offered acceptable acceleration and a choice of Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes. However, the Smart mode was not very perceptive, and the Sport mode added unwelcome weight to the steering, making Normal mode the preferred choice. The Elantra achieved an EPA rating of 32 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing returning 29.3 mpg on a modified loop and 32.4 mpg after a week of driving. Handling was decent, with no major criticisms or praise for the steering and brakes, and the ride quality was somewhat busy due to the inexpensive torsion-beam rear-axle suspension.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, with its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and two-motor hybrid powertrain, delivered 212 combined horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. Despite a 200-pound weight penalty, the Accord Hybrid was speedy enough to lead the pack of commuters, especially in Sport mode. The EPA estimated 48 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing returned 42.6 mpg over a week, 44.1 mpg on a city and suburban loop, and 41.2 mpg after a spirited drive in the Santa Monica Mountains. The Accord Hybrid's extra weight contributed to a road-hugging feel, but it lacked grace on undulating pavement. Nevertheless, it provided predictable ride motions, flat-cornering attitude, faultless steering, and natural-feeling regenerative brakes, making it enjoyable to drive despite the occasional eCVT drone.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort for a compact car, with height-adjustable seats for both the driver and front passenger. Most trims included heated front seats, a leather-wrapped tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. However, backseat comfort was less impressive, with hard plastic front seatbacks and no air conditioning vents or USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a good-size center-console storage bin, a sizable glove box, and a tray for smartphones. The trunk provided 14.4 cubic feet of space, with a hands-free Smart Trunk feature available on most trims.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid did not compromise on passenger space or trunk room, offering the same full-size interior and 16.7-cubic-foot trunk as the standard Accord. The massive backseat provided exceptional thigh support, rear air-conditioning vents, and available USB charging ports. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, which could be an issue for taller individuals. The seat cushions were comfortable, and the Touring trim included front heating and ventilation and rear heating. Interior storage was generous, and the trunk could accommodate four full-size suitcases with room to spare. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatback added utility, although a hatchback design would have been even more convenient.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, except for the base SE trim, came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Limited trim included an Infinity premium sound system, and the Ultimate Package added an 8-inch display, navigation, and SiriusXM Data Services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a good balance of knobs and buttons, and the Limited's Infinity audio system delivered impressive sound quality. The Value Edition and Limited trims also offered a free 3-year trial subscription to Blue Link services, providing a range of safety and convenience functions.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, starting with the EX trim, featured a robust Display Audio infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, basic HondaLink services, and quick-charge USB ports. The EX-L trim added a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, HD digital traffic data, a wireless smartphone charger, NFC technology, a WiFi hotspot, and expanded HondaLink service plans. HondaLink offered features like in-car delivery of Amazon packages, Find My Car, stolen-vehicle locator, and remote locking, unlocking, and engine starting. The Touring trim also included a head-up display (HUD), which remained visible with polarized sunglasses.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, starting with the SEL trim, included forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, a blind-spot-monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver-monitoring system. The Limited trim added adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beam headlights, and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top marks from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH child-seat anchors. The NHTSA gave the Elantra a 4-star overall rating, with 4-star frontal-impact and rear-seat side-impact protection ratings.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign-recognition technology, and road-departure mitigation. The Accord Hybrid also featured automatic high-beam headlights, a multi-angle reversing camera, and SmartVent front side airbags. The EX trim and higher added a blind-spot-warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord received the highest possible ratings from the IIHS, with the Touring trim earning a Top Safety Pick designation. The NHTSA awarded the Accord 5-star crash-test ratings across the board.