When Hyundai released the current generation Sonata, it was clear that they wanted to inject some vigor into a mid-size sedan segment that has been declining both in sales and overall entries. The Sonata has emerged as a value leader in this shrunken segment, and the N-Line version is perhaps one of the most underrated performance entries in the market today. However, the Sonata is far from being the only player in town and still faces competition from rivals, including the 2024 Honda Accord. Which entry is best for your wallet?
Hyundai Sonata Carries On With Light Changes
Hyundai is preparing a revamped version of the Sonata, and as a result, the current generation model is carrying over in 2023 with light changes. The bulk of these updates are focused on equipment packaging, with the solar roof on the hybrid being axed and the SEL and its Premium counterpart getting access to the larger 10.3-inch infotainment system. As a result, the exterior styling is starting to show its age and is increasingly looking out of place as Hyundai embraces a new design language, with the Hyundai Kona providing a small glimpse into this future. The exterior as a whole is still a mixture of futuristic cues and sporty accents, with the headlights featuring a small strip of accent lighting that flows up the front fender and into the exterior window frame trim.
The rear styling is still aggressive and perhaps the most polarizing aspect of the car; some folks will like it, and others won’t. The 2023 model still has an impressive engine roster, with our Limited example being powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 180 horsepower. The N-Line still continues to be the performance-focused entry in the family, with this model using a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 290 hp. An eight-speed automatic is standard for the bulk of the lineup, with the hybrid getting a six-speed automatic.
Honda Accord Still Embraces Turbocharged Fun
Unlike the Hyundai Sonata, the 2024 Honda Accord has undergone a more extensive redesign, with the exterior and interior revamped for 2023. As a result, the 2024 model sails through with no changes to speak of. The exterior styling is still an unbalanced jumble of ideas, with the bold front fascia being balanced out by a bland rear end with buyers being forced to move to one of the Hybrid models to get bigger wheels and more equipment.
Performance for non-hybrid models (EX and LX) comes from a 195 horsepower 1.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder that allows the Accord to make the sprint to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, while the 204 hp Accord Hybrid makes the same sprint in 6.6 seconds. The interior follows the basic theme we have seen in other entries, like the Civic with the dash-mounted air vents featuring a long honeycomb trim element stretching from one end of the dashboard to the other. The base 7.0-inch infotainment system is slightly smaller than the Hyundai’s 8.0-inch unit, but the Accord’s optional 12.3-inch screen is bigger than the Sonata’s 10.3-inch screen. The uplevel screen also comes with Google Built-in technology and offers wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities, which the Hyundai can’t match due to its continued reliance on wired connections only to access the same features.
Which is The Right Fit For Your Budget?
To answer this question, we dug deep into the online shopping tools for both companies and, like before, used a scenario where a customer would have an excellent credit rating and a $1200 down payment towards a potential lease plan with no trade-in. Honda will charge $385/mo for a 36-month lease (the only lease period available on the Accord), with the company also forcing potential buyers to have $1,657 handy when it comes time to sign on the dotted line.
Meanwhile, the average payment for the Sonata is $332/mo for the same 36-month period with a 10,000-mile limit. While Honda and Hyundai also allow a maximum mileage limit of 15,000, Hyundai allows its buyers to go for a slightly longer lease period with a separate 48-month period also being available. As a result, the Accord and the Sonata are roughly neck and neck with each other in many aspects of the leasing experience. Meanwhile, the finance side of the coin is also closely contested, with both companies offering similar lengths of time for a finance plan, including a lofty 72-month (six-year) maximum period. Formal pricing for the base Accord LX starts at $28,990 (all pricing includes destination), while the Hyundai Sonata comes in lower at $26,565.
Ultimately, choosing which one of these sedans to consider will depend on personal taste as well as their financial flexibility. However, we will have to give a nod to the Hyundai in this mini-comparison. While some aspects of the car are aging when compared to rivals, the impending arrival of the revamped 2024 model in U.S. showrooms could force dealerships to offer attractive deals and lease rates to try and move as much of the old inventory as possible, which could be a welcome incentive for buyers looking to take advantage of a good buying opportunity.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.