Honda and Hyundai Reveal Hybrid Evolution for the Higher – San Francisco Bay Instances
By Philip Ruth –
Hybrids just keep getting better, and they’re no longer just the goofy-looking hatchbacks they once were. The latest Camry Hybrid was a revelation of quick acceleration and enthusiastic handling, and the two competing sedans we’re examining this week – the hybrid versions of the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata – are impressive in their own way.
These Honda and Hyundai hybrids are the top of their line, and they’re priced within a mosquito apart. On the base models, the Sonata Hybrid (uniquely named Blue) is $ 1,180 higher than the Accord Hybrid, while Honda’s top touring trim is $ 1,140 more expensive than the Hyundai’s limited appearance.
Obviously, when planning these models, these companies kept a close eye on each other, not just price. The total EPA mileage is roughly the same, with the Honda’s 48 mpg beating the Hyundai by one. A bigger difference is the additional 20 horsepower that Honda gets from its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, even though they have the same number of liters.
Styling probably shows the biggest difference between them. The Honda’s fastback silhouette appeared to be eye-catching on its 2018 debut, and it still looks dramatic. The Hyundai’s design is more recent and a clear break with the sonatas of the past. Its sharp-edged contours are like no other brand and give an idea of the exciting Ioniq 5, the electric SUV coming this fall.
They also differ in their driving behavior. Honda uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and it’s a decent version of that technology that, for some brands, can create a balloon effect when accelerating, where the engine appears to be spinning faster than the car is moving. The hills of San Francisco enhance that feeling, which is usually accompanied by an uncultivated roar from under the hood. but not so much with the powertrain of this Accord Hybrid. For the most part, it felt almost as crisp as a gearbox.
The Hyundai’s thrust delivery was more satisfactory because it actually works with gears, six of them in total, rather than a large flexible belt. It goes a long way in making the Sonata Hybrid feel like a traditional gasoline car, and it minimizes the electrical on and off delay that is part of the hybrid experience.
Both drive well, with a little more sportiness that color the behavior of the Honda. The Accord Hybrid’s steering is a bit sharper and the handling of bumps and curves is a bit more sophisticated. The Sonata Hybrid lacks that little extra handling flair, but it’s still easy to turn, especially given its medium-sized dimensions.
Inside, Honda and Hyundai are very accommodating, like large versions of themselves. The front doors open wide and the Hyundai felt lighter and airier than Honda, probably in part because of the light gray trim of the former as opposed to the all-black setup of the latter , the only offer of touring.
These two efficient mid-range models should be on every hybrid buyer’s list. It’s a tossup because everyone has their own focus on technology and design.
Philip Ruth is a Castro-based automotive photojournalist and consultant with an automotive staging service.
Published on August 12, 2021
