2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

Hyundai embarked on a bold redesign for the Sonata in 2020, creating a vehicle with a distinct and controversial aesthetic. The 2021 Hyundai Sonata featured a dramatic front grille and sharp tail design, ensuring it stood out. The special N Line variant introduced even more design touches like a new front fascia with larger air intakes, black accents, and 19-inch wheels that amplified its sporty, yet understated, appearance. Inside, the N Line model sported premium materials like Nappa leather and Dinamica suede, combined with red stitching and dark chrome accents which lent a luxe yet sportive vibe to the hyundai. Conversely, the 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid maintained its focus on elegant styling with iterative refinements in the grille and bumper enhancing its already pleasing proportions. Available in several trims, it catered to a range of preferences while adding up-to-date touches such as new 19-inch wheels on the Touring trim and an interesting new Sonic Gray Pearl color. The Honda Accord's cabin too mirrored its external grace, exuding a premium feel with refined materials, and highly functional and easy to navigate controls. The Accord's subtler but polished aesthetic appeals to those prefer understated elegance.

The Sonata N Line, powered by a robust 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, appealed to driving enthusiasts with its sports-inclined modifications. This included a sport-tuned suspension and larger brakes, intended to transform daily drives into exhilarating journeys. Despite being front-wheel drive, the Sonata managed dynamic driving scenarios commendably, minimalizing typical drawbacks like understeer and showing significant grip, especially with optional summer performance tires. In contrast, the Honda Accord Hybrid leveraged a sophisticated two-motor hybrid system producing a combined 212 horsepower and delivering almost instantaneous torque for brisk acceleration. Unlike traditional hybrids, the Accord's system avoided the use of a CVT, relying instead on a novel setup that mimicked the functionality to smooth transitions between power sources, making it equally capable and more fuel-efficient in urban settings. Despite its efficiency focus, the Accord Hybrid maintained sporty handling characteristics, amplified by optional 19-inch tires providing notable agility without sacrificing comfort.

Both the 2021 Hyundai Sonata and Honda Accord boasted highly functional interiors. The Sonata N Line, although sporty, didn't forget about comfort and practicality. Front sport seats provided a golden mean between support during spirited drives and comfort on long journeys. With 16 cubic feet of trunk space and a smartly designed interior, the Sonata N Line met most needs effectively. Honda's Accord Hybrid, however, edged out slightly in spatial offerings. Ample legroom and a segment-leading 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space – without the typical hybrid compromise – marked the Accord Hybrid as exceptionally practical. It supported a comfortable and spacious ride whether in congested city traffic or long highway stretches, truly embodying a no-compromise hybrid in terms of space and utility.

Hyundai equipped the Sonata N Line with a suite of contemporary tech, highlighting a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a 12.3-inch digital dashboard. While its infotainment system was packed with features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and connected services, the setup had usability quirks that could frustrate users. The Honda Accord Hybrid, on the other hand, standardized an 8-inch touchscreen across all trims that included wireless options for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on higher trims, enhancing user convenience. Honda's approach to technology integration demonstrates usability and straightforward interactions, arguably making it more accessible than the Sonata's more feature-rich but complex system.

Hyundai's Sonata N Line came loaded with an extensive array of driver-assist technologies under the SmartSense umbrella, ensuring a comprehensive safety net that included everything from advanced adaptive cruise control to innovative rear occupant alerts. This demonstrated Hyundai's commitment to safety, despite awaiting updated testing ratings. Honda also maintained robust safety offerings in the Accord Hybrid, incorporating standard active safety features across all trims, including sophisticated tweaks to its Honda Sensing suite to enhance usability and effectiveness. The Accord Hybrid also aimed to meet stringent safety standards reformulated for the year.