Honda and Hyundai are two reputable Asian automakers with decades of experience. With vehicles in most major automotive segments, Honda and Hyundai are often in direct competition. So which make of car should you buy? We’ll help you decide what your next vehicle purchase should be.
Vehicle Options
Honda and Hyundai offer a wide range of vehicles across different classes, giving their customers a lot of options to choose from. However, Honda currently has only eight main types of cars. When you factor in variants such as hybrids and different body shapes, that number goes up to 13. On the other hand, Hyundai has 11 primary types of vehicles, which increases to 20 when you consider the variants. Although Honda has a decent selection of cars, it’s better to explore the Hyundai catalog if you desire more choices.
Sustainability
Both Honda and Hyundai believe the future of motoring is more sustainable vehicles. Honda says it’s committed to selling only zero-emission cars by 2040. It also plans to launch new generation electric vehicles based on a cutting-edge e: Architecture platform as early as 2025. It’s offsetting much of its carbon dioxide emissions and investing in wind and solar power as it works toward operating entirely with renewable energy.
Hyundai aims to be 100% carbon neutral by 2045. It’s also working toward making its cars more recyclable to reduce the impact of its automobiles over time. Hyundai aims to exclusively sell electric vehicles to European consumers by 2035 and all major markets by 2040.
While both brands already offer electric and hybrid vehicles, Hyundai has better realized its goal to provide a fully electric fleet at this stage. Currently, the Accord and CR-V are the only Honda vehicles with hybrid options. The all-electric Honda Prologue joins the fleet in 2024. In contrast, Hyundai offers an electric Kona, hybrid versions of the Elantra and Sonata, standard and plug-in hybrid options for the Tucson and Santa Fe, and the modern hydrogen-powered NEXO. While both automakers have the potential to be green forces in the future, Hyundai is currently a more sustainable choice.
Safety
U.S. News and World Report praises the exceptional safety credentials of Honda and Hyundai vehicles. Both fleets earn above-average ratings from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. They complement their quality builds with advanced safety technology. The Honda Sensing safety suite is standard in all Honda vehicles, just as Hyundai treats all its customers to its Hyundai SmartSense system. While inclusions vary between models, these systems often boast driver-assistance features that many automakers charge extra for, such as rear cross-traffic collision alerts and lane-keep assist.
Performance
Honda has historically beaten Hyundai in this category, but recent investments in electrification are paying dividends for the South Korean company. While Car and Driver says Honda’s gas-powered cars handle and accelerate a little better than Hyundai’s, Hyundai’s hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles are some of the most responsive and accurate. U.S. News and World Report gave Hyundai’s Elantra Hybrid and Kona electric vehicle an 8.9 performance rating and Honda’s best-performing Accord Hybrid an 8.3 rating.
Reliability
With the average American keeping their car for eight years, according to The Zebra, reliability is an important consideration. In 2020, U.S. News and World Report gave all Hyundai models, like the 2020 Hyundai Accent, and above a 3.5 grade out of five for predicted reliability. While Honda’s older models performed strongly, some of its more recent vehicles scored lower.
Price
Honda and Hyundai have several affordable vehicles, so these automakers are excellent choices if you’re looking for a great deal. However, stick with Hyundai if you’re looking for the least expensive car of these brands. Its most affordable vehicle, the VENUE, has a starting MSRP of $19,650. That’s more than $4,000 cheaper than Honda’s most affordable car; the entry-level Honda Civic sedan has a starting MSRP of $23,950.
There are similar savings across the range, so you’ll likely save no matter what type of vehicle you’re looking for. The Hyundai Santa Cruz is a bargain at $26,650 if you’re seeking a compact pickup. Honda’s only pickup is the Ridgeline, priced at $38,800. While it’s a little larger, its unibody construction and features are so similar that it’s hard to justify paying $12,150 more. The three-row Hyundai PALISADE is an affordable vehicle for large families at $36,400, which is cheaper than the midsize Honda SUVs. You’ll spend $37,090 on a Honda Pilot and $41,100 on a Honda Passport.
Warranty
Hyundai’s generous warranty provides much more peace of mind than Honda’s offerings. Hyundai’s limited warranty covers you for five years or 60,000 miles, while Honda’s protects you for just three years or 36,000 miles. Hyundai’s powertrain warranty covers 10 years or 100,000 miles, while Honda’s is only five years or 60,000 miles. Both automakers include complimentary scheduled maintenance, but Honda’s runs out after two years or 24,000 miles. Hyundai provides an extra year or 12,000 miles of protection.
Value for Money
A Hyundai is the natural choice if you want your dollar to go further. Its vehicles are cheaper than comparable Honda vehicles, yet they come with much more generous warranties. Despite their lower price points, Hyundai doesn’t skimp on the features that matter, such as safety technology. Given their price point, it’s understandable that Hyundai vehicles tend to have cloth upholstery rather than leather. They may not have the refinement of a Honda, but they offer a lot more bang for your buck.
Test-Drive a Hyundai at Your Local Dealership
One of the best ways to decide which car brand is right for you is to take it for a test drive. To try the latest vehicles from Hyundai, visit our dealership in McKinney, Texas. Our experienced sales team can organize your test drive and answer your questions about these vehicles. With easy finance pre-approval available via our website, we take the hassle out of buying a new or used Hyundai.