2022 Hyundai Elantra vs 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra underwent a significant transformation from its previous iterations, shedding its unremarkable appearance for a bold and distinctive design. The seventh-generation model featured a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, creating a striking four-door-coupe silhouette. This redesign gave the Elantra a unique personality, with its exterior styling reminiscent of the midsize Sonata sedan but with its own flair. The interior also saw improvements, with material quality slightly above the norm for the compact car class, despite some hard plastics. The Elantra offered advanced tech features at a competitive starting price, making it an attractive option for buyers.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid exuded an air of elegance, often mistaken for a luxury sedan. Its sleek exterior, with a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting, drew positive attention from onlookers. The Accord's longer length and wider rear track contributed to its planted stance, while the flowing roofline added to its refined appearance. Inside, the Accord Hybrid Touring trim boasted a sophisticated cabin with a new dashboard design and a 12.3-inch touchscreen. The interior offered comfort and ample space, although headroom in the rear was slightly compromised by the tapering roofline. Overall, the Accord Hybrid presented a near-luxury experience with its upscale design and features.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences. The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivered 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. While adequate for most buyers, the engine could feel underpowered during hard acceleration. The Elantra Hybrid, with its 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and electric motor, produced 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering impressive fuel economy. The N Line variant, with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, delivered 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, providing a more engaging driving experience with its sport-tuned suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing 204 horsepower. The powertrain, coupled with a continuously variable automatic transmission, provided smooth and efficient performance. The Accord Hybrid seamlessly switched between electric and gas power, offering sufficient acceleration for highway merges and passing maneuvers. The suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, ensuring a comfortable ride. The Accord's agile handling made it enjoyable to drive in various environments, and its regenerative braking system, with six levels of regen, enhanced the driving experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra excelled in practicality, with its compact size making it easy to navigate tight spaces. The interior offered clear instrumentation and controls, along with ample storage options. While the N Line's low seating position required extra effort to enter and exit, the Elantra provided excellent visibility and a comfortable cabin. The rear seat accommodated three children comfortably, though taller adults might find headroom limited due to the sloped roof. The trunk offered 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, sufficient for a weekend's worth of luggage, despite a narrow opening.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid adopted a layout similar to Honda's Civic and CR-V models, featuring a honeycomb mesh trim that concealed the air vents. The cabin offered a blend of physical controls and advanced tech features, enhancing the Accord's upscale feel. The front seats provided excellent support, while the rear seats offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was slightly compromised. The trunk boasted 16.7 cubic feet of space, with a low load floor for easy access, making it practical for carrying bulky items.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra impressed with its technology offerings, especially considering its price point. The base SE trim included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims added features like a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a Bose premium audio system, and Hyundai Digital Key. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the wireless pairing with smartphones was seamless. However, the six-speaker audio system's performance was only adequate.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came equipped with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display. The Touring trim offered a comprehensive suite of tech features, including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. The 12-speaker Bose audio system delivered excellent sound quality, and the intuitive infotainment system made it easy to navigate through menus and commands.

The 2022 Hyundai Elantra prioritized safety with its SmartSense suite of driver-assist technologies, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist were available on higher trims. The Elantra received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS, though lower trims with halogen headlights received a "Marginal" rating.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a comprehensive set of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and traffic sign recognition. The Touring trim added a multi-angle rearview camera and parking sensors. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. The Accord Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests and effective crash avoidance and mitigation features.