2017 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2017 Honda Accord: Head to Head

Which Midsize Car Is Right for You?

For the last several decades, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord dominated the family sedan market. During that time, automakers like Hyundai came onto the scene, offering vehicles at a discount, but they were not in the same category as these successful family sedans.

But seemingly in the last decade, Hyundai has made quantum leaps in quality, and like the Accord, the Sonata is one of the top performing family sedans on the market. But has Hyundai’s fetching family sedan offering eclipsed the Accord? And if so, does it outperform it enough in the right areas to convince you to go for it?

Read on to see which of these family sedans is the better option. In the end, one sedan might score higher, but depending on what your priorities are, one sedan will be the more ideal one for you.

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Pricing

Winner: 2017 Hyundai Sonata (Details Below)

The Sonata starts at $21,600 and comes with standard features such as a backup camera, Bluetooth hands-free smartphone connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and more. On the top end of the lineup, the Limited 2.0T starts at $34,350 and comes with forward collision avoidance, panoramic moonroof, and leather seating.

The Accord starts at $22,455 and comes standard with dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth hands-free calling and streaming music, USB audio jack, Pandora compatibility, and more. The range-topping touring model starts at $34,930 and features leather seating, heated front and rear seats, and Honda Sensing suite of safety tech.

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Safety

Winner: 2017 Honda Accord (Details Below)

The Sonata earns a best score of Good from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in all phases of crash tests. Earning it a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS. The Sonata also earns a five-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The Accord earns similar scores, and both are available with forward collision warning and avoidance as well as blind spot warning systems. Where the Accord pulls away, though, is with its Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS.

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Seat Comfort and Refinement

Winner: 2017 Hyundai Sonata (Details Below)

In the past decade, the Accord has grown from having a standard-fare interior to one of the more upscale cabins in the midsize car segment. It has plenty of head- and legroom in both rows, and, on trims like the EX-L and Touring, features leather and terrific fit and finish.

For whatever leaps the Accord made in interior quality, the Sonata’s cabin has evolved from a farther place to being just as good. Additionally, you can get the Sonata with a long list of standard features in the base model, including a multi-function steering wheel, HD radio support, a 7-inch touch-screen system, and more.

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Interior Technology

Winner: 2017 Hyundai Sonata (Details Below)

Hyundai’s BlueLink connected system is just one part of a comprehensive suite of technology that is centered around a simple and easy-to-use infotainment screen. It is available as a 7- or 8-inch screen and menu navigation is sensible. A connected app lets you remotely start the car from your smartphone.

The Accord has many of the same features, as both the Sonata and Accord support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. But the menu navigation of the Accord’s touch screen is lacking. The dual-screen setup can be downright frustrating at times, and comparing the two would be a deal breaker for sure.

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Cargo Space

Winner: 2017 Hyundai Sonata (Details Below)

The Hyundai Sonata features 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space in trunk. That’s among the largest in the class. Meanwhile, the Accord has 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space in trunk The Accord’s cargo space is “significantly above average” for the class, but the Sonata’s is one of the best.

In addition to greater cargo space, the Sonata has an Ace in the Hole in the form of the hands-free power trunk. As long as you have your key fob in your pocket, you can approach the rear of the Sonata and the trunk will automatically open. It’s a great feature if your arms are full with bags or groceries. 

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Fuel Efficiency

Winner: Tie (Details Below)

The Sonata’s top fuel economy performer is the 1.6-liter turbocharged engine in the Eco model. It returns fuel economy of 28 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

There is a version of the Accord’s 2.4-liter engine that returns fuel economy of 27 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway. These numbers are nearly identical, and frankly, you can’t go wrong with either vehicle when it comes to fuel economy.

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Performance

Winner: 2017 Honda Accord (Details Below)

The Accord is the only vehicle among these two that offers a V6 engine. The 3.5-liter six-cylinder found in the EX-L V6 and Touring models provides 278 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Accord also provides responsive steering and sharp braking, which borderlines on sporty. The Sonata provides steering that is also sharp, but falls short of being considered sporty, giving the Accord the edge.

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Reliability

Winner: Tie (Details Below)

U.S. News & World Report’s reliability score is based on the J.D. Power and Associates Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) rating or, if unavailable, the J.D. Power Predicted Reliability Rating.

In J.D. Power and Associates Predicted Reliability study, both the Sonata and the Accord earn a score of four out of five, putting each firmly in the Better Than Most category. Each vehicle should offer roughly the same peace of mind.

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The Winner Is …

2017 Hyundai Sonata (Details Below)

It is incredible to consider just how far the Sonata has come, eclipsing the venerable Accord in many ways. The Accord only took the edge in the performance and safety department, and when it comes to family sedans, performance is not a major priority for most shoppers.

The two vehicles are tied on reliability and fuel efficiency, two areas that are crucial for the average shopper. But the Sonata won out on other areas that are important to consumers, including cargo space, interior comfort and refinement, and perhaps most importantly, price.

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More Shopping Tools From U.S. News & World Report

If you’re looking to get your hands on a 2017 Sonata or Accord, head over to our best Hyundai and Honda deals pages. If you want a different model, take a look at our best lease deals and financing deals pages. There, we’ve compiled a list of all the best incentives manufactures are currently offering.

Once you’re ready to buy, head over to the U.S. News Best Price Program, where shoppers save an average of $3,279 off their new car purchase.