I (29m) am currently in the market for a new car as my current car (2013 Chevy equinox) has been giving me trouble. I have narrowed it down to a 2024 Honda Accord Sport-L or a 2024 Hyundai Sonota N-Line.
This will be my first new car ever and cannot decide. The Hyundai is more sporty and I do like it more, but Hyundai has gotten some bad rep in both cars and warranty. The Honda is nice but feels more “boring” and missing some features I do want. The Honda would definitely be more reliable as I will be keeping the car for years. Can you guys help me decide? Any personal experience with either of them? Also the car is just for me, no family.
New car like that, I would take the accord easily. Honda is perceived as substantially more reliable. 3-5 years old used, I would personally buy the sonata because it is so much more depreciated; more than offsetting the lower reliability.
On EV models, hyundai crushes honda. Ioniq 5 and ioniq 6 are legitimately best in class
Get the sonata, you won’t regret it. If you get the accord, you’ll always think about the “What if” Hyundai is more exiting than hondas especially the fact that the tech is better. The bad rep are for the 2015-2021 models with the immobilizer missing. All new models have those now
Check to see how much insurance is for either, Hyundai might be much more. If not, check how much maintenance costs are and what the warranty is. If you prefer the Hyundai, get the Hyundai, Hyundai/Kia are crushing it right now and making some really good cars. People on this sub will fellate Toyota, Honda, and Mazda, but they’re not the only good car brands out there. I’ve owned two Hyundais with absolutely zero issues, it’s not 2005 anymore, they’ve sorted out their issues.
I’ve rented quite a few Hyundai/Kia. While they were between okay to very nice, one Elantra I was driving did lose engine power while I was driving on I-85 during rush hour traffic. I wouldn’t consider one for long term ownership.
I’d say test drive both and drive them to your style. I owned a '20 Sonata SEL and preferred it more than the '21 Accord Sport my wife’s parents own, even though the Accord definitely felt more sporty, but I wanted a commuter/comfy sedan. Other than that, my Sonata had no issues during my 52k mile 3 year ownership, but with any car it’s a YMMV.
Here, Sonata is inferior to Accord except for maybe lane keeping assist? In every other metric, both interior usability, mechanicals (reliability), and then how it drives, accord is just untouchable in its class. There is a very good reason why accord won best car of the year 38 years in a row for car and driver. That is a no brainer, and easy win for Accord.
Historically, Honda has been reliable. My hickup with them right now is the fact that most of their vehicles are now equipped with CVTs which are still new enough that reliability hasn’t been tested. I agree that Honda in general is much more reliable. Hopefully their CVTs follow that.
First, are either of those a redesign year? Other than that, Hyundai/kia will give you the most tech and more differentiable style for the money (subjective), but they generally lose their value faster than Honda. Reliability also generally goes to Honda. If you’re leasing, Hyundai might be a good choice.
Look up known issues with the current generation of both cars. What do you think repairs might add up to? Make sure insurance isn’t bad on the Hyundai. Negotiate offers for both and see what the price difference is. I assume the Sonata would be cheaper than the Accord. Are the extra features really important to you? But as long as they are both financially viable, get what you want or you’ll hate it. Went down that road and learned to like my last car, but always wondered “what if” for a while.
I’d say Honda just because while Hyundai has the insane warranty, you might get hit on insurance an extra amount just because of the carjacking, regardless of if it can still happen or not.
Now, the Accord is “boring”, no doubt, but it’s a boring car that’ll last you for as long as you need/want it with minimal-no issues (I regret trading my last 2018 tbh)