2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was a striking departure from its predecessors, capturing attention with its sleek, fastback profile and elegant design. The car's transformation was remarkable, with its wide grille, low stance, and smooth contours, complemented by the coolest LED running lights that extended onto the hood. The Sonata Hybrid's interior was equally impressive, offering a luxurious feel with big screens, ambient lighting, and high-quality materials that rivaled more expensive brands. The design team, led by Peter Schreyer, had successfully elevated Hyundai's reputation, making the Sonata Hybrid a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord was recognized as one of the most stylish Accords in history, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and roofline. The Accord's design was particularly striking with the 19-inch wheels available on the Sport and Touring trims, enhancing its visual presence. The interior of the Accord Touring was luxurious, featuring a Radiant Red paint with an Ivory interior that provided a sharp contrast. The quality of materials was evident, with soft touchpoints and a convincingly real matte-finish simulated wood. The Accord's design was both stylish and functional, making it a strong contender in the family sedan segment.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter engine running on the Atkinson cycle, producing 150 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 51-hp electric motor, the total output was 192 hp. The six-speed automatic transmission provided a more traditional driving experience compared to the CVTs found in most hybrids, though it occasionally hesitated. The Sonata Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, with the Blue trim achieving 50 mpg city, 54 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. The car's silent interior, plush ride, and competent chassis made it a comfortable and efficient choice for long drives.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, including a standard 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 192 horsepower and a 212-hp hybrid option. For those seeking more power, the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine delivered 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord's driving experience was enhanced by adaptive dampers and a well-tuned chassis, providing a fun and engaging ride. The Accord 2.0T's fuel economy was respectable, achieving 27.4 mpg during testing. While the Accord was quick and enjoyable to drive, it could benefit from an all-wheel-drive option to better handle its power.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited trim offered innovative features like solar panels that could generate extra driving range. The interior was spacious, with ample rear-seat legroom and a quiet, comfortable cabin. The trunk provided 16 cubic feet of cargo space, and the car's visibility was enhanced by 360-degree cameras. The push-button gear selector and intuitive controls made the Sonata Hybrid user-friendly, while the Limited trim's digital dash and touchscreen added a modern touch.

The 2020 Honda Accord was practically a full-size car, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than many competitors. The Accord Touring's 12-way power driver's seat was comfortable, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The back seat was exceptionally comfortable, with wide doors and ample thigh support. The trunk offered 16.7 cubic feet of space, ideal for family road trips. The Accord's interior was well-designed, with clear instrumentation and ergonomic controls, making it a pleasant place to spend time.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's infotainment system on the Limited trim was a highlight, featuring a soothing color scheme and intuitive interface. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Hyundai Blue Link. The digital key and blind-spot camera feeds added convenience and safety. The Highway Driving Assist and head-up display provided helpful driving aids, making the Sonata Hybrid feel like a more expensive vehicle.

The 2020 Honda Accord's 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly design, featuring volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and sensible steering wheel controls. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added a premium sound system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation. While the Accord's system lacked natural voice recognition, it was otherwise well-equipped and easy to use.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS. It came standard with a suite of safety features, including lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim offered additional features like parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2020 Honda Accord was also a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. Honda Sensing was standard across all trims, providing advanced driving assistance systems like forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist. However, blind-spot monitoring was reserved for higher trims, and some systems could benefit from refinement.