2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was a striking departure from its predecessors, capturing attention with its sleek, fastback profile and elegant design. Regular folks, not just car enthusiasts, found themselves admiring its aesthetic appeal. The Sonata's transformation was akin to a technological leap, with its design chief Peter Schreyer, formerly of Audi, leading the charge. The car's exterior featured the coolest LED running lights, a wide grille, and a low stance, all contributing to its aerodynamic allure. Inside, the Sonata Hybrid boasted a luxurious interior with big screens, ambient lighting, and high-quality materials, rivaling even some luxury brands.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic was the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a sharp design across its sedan, coupe, and hatchback body styles. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases and wide headlights accentuating its low and wide stance. The 2019 model year updates carried over to 2020, with new wheels and bumpers enhancing its appeal. Inside, the Civic featured a simple yet high-quality interior, with soft-touch materials and a well-organized center console. The Civic's interior changes for 2020 included new dash accents and sport seats, adding to its overall appeal.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter engine running on the Atkinson cycle, producing 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Paired with a 51-hp electric motor and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion polymer battery, the total output was 192 hp. The Sonata Hybrid used a six-speed automatic transmission, providing a more traditional driving experience compared to the CVT found in most hybrids. The car's suspension was tuned for a plush ride, and its steering was light and responsive. The Blue trim level offered the best fuel efficiency, achieving 50 mpg city, 54 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower. The Civic's 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, available on higher trims, delivered 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The Civic Si and Type R models offered even more power, with the Si producing 205 hp and the Type R delivering 306 hp. The Civic's powertrains were smooth and responsive, with the manual transmission providing a tight and engaging driving experience. The Civic Si featured adaptive dampers and a sportier suspension setup, while the Type R was a high-performance thrill.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited trim featured solar panels that could generate extra driving range, providing several hundred "free" miles annually. The interior offered spacious rear-seat legroom, with features like manual side-window shades and heated seats. Cargo space was ample at 16 cubic feet, and the car's visibility was enhanced by crisp 360-degree cameras. The push-button gear selector and wide toggle switch for drive modes added to the car's modern feel. The Limited trim featured a high-res 12-inch digital dash and a 10-inch touchscreen with sophisticated software.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a roomy interior, with the hatchback providing the most cargo space at 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats. The Civic's center console was configurable, with deep storage bins and sliding cupholders. The interior featured a conventional PRNDL shifter and a three-spoke steering wheel with controls for the central display. The Civic's rear seats were spacious, though lacking rear air vents. The trunk offered 15 cubic feet of cargo space in sedan trims, with the hatchback providing even more versatility.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's infotainment system on the Limited trim was a standout feature, with a soothing color scheme and intuitive interface. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Hyundai Blue Link were standard, along with a digital key for unlocking and starting the vehicle. The car's turn signals displayed live camera feeds of blind spots, and the Highway Driving Assist provided semi-automated driving capabilities. The head-up display showed detailed information, and the car's voice recognition system was fast and accurate.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was less impressive, with a slower and more complex interface. However, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard on all models except the base LX. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, and a 450-watt stereo. LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, and Honda Sensing offered active safety features like lane centering and adaptive cruise control. The Civic's top trims included leather upholstery and rain-sensing wipers.

The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four stars in the frontal crash test. It was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS, with top ratings in six crash tests and standard emergency forward braking. Lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control were standard, with parking sensors and Highway Driving Assist available on the Limited trim.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top ratings in all six crash tests. The NHTSA rated the Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.