Honda Vs Hyundai – Differences and Which Is Better?
Honda and Hyundai are both popular car manufacturers worldwide. They are both known for their excellent performance, reliability, and safety. But which one is better? Is it Honda, or is it Hyundai?
In essence, Honda is superior to Hyundai in performance, car varieties, interiors, safety, and quality. But Hyundai is also an excellent automaker, especially in hybrid designs, warranty, and affordability.
Read on to learn more about the differences between Honda and Hyundai, including their features and maintenance costs.
Honda Vs. Hyundai – Differences and Which Is Better?
Honda CR-V
Honda is superior to Hyundai in performance, car varieties, interiors, safety, and quality. But Hyundai is also an excellent automaker, especially in hybrid designs, warranty, and affordability.
Let’s take a look at the differences between these two car brands in terms of the following categories:
Reliability
Performance
Interior
Safety
Price
Midsize SUVs
Compact SUVs
Subcompact SUVs
Midsize Cars
Small Cars
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Overall Lineup
These rankings are based on the opinions and reviews provided by car enthusiasts and car reviewers. Some of them are J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, and Consumer Reports.
Let’s see which stands out between the two:
1. Reliability
Honda Vehicles with Above-average Predicted Reliability Ratings
Several Honda vehicles have always been known for having above-average predicted reliability ratings.
Some of these include:
Honda Fit,
Honda Ridgeline, and
Honda CR-V.
Honda with Subpar ratings
Most Honda vehicles have average ratings, but they also have models known to have subpar ratings, including:
Honda Accord Hybrid,
Honda Accord, and
Honda Pilot.
All Hyundai Vehicles Have Above-average Predicted Reliability Ratings
As for Hyundai vehicles, all models impressively have above-average predicted reliability ratings. In which case, Hyundai is better than Honda as far as reliability is concerned.
2. Performance
Honda Ranks Slightly Higher Than Hyundai
In terms of performance, Honda ranks slightly higher than Hyundai.
Hyundai Vehicles with an 8 Out of 10 Score
There are Hyundai vehicles that score above 8 out of 10. These include Hyundai Ioniq and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Both form part of the hybrid and electric car categories.
They feature smooth powertrains that produce excellent fuel economy estimates. This factor largely contributed to their performance scores.
Honda Vehicles with an 8 Out of 10 Score
On the other hand, Honda has more vehicles that score above 8 out of 10, including:
Honda Fit,
Honda Odyssey,
Honda Clarity,
Honda Accord Hybrid,
Honda Accord,
Honda CR-V, and
Honda Civic.
All these cars are known to deliver quicker acceleration, ultimate ride quality, and sharper handling compared to other brands.
Therefore, Honda is the winner in terms of performance.
3. Interior
The interior design is ranked based on several factors, including quality, cargo space, and seating comfort. For Honda and Hyundai, the interiors of their vehicles both rank high.
Honda Scores Slightly Higher Due to Ample Cargo Space and High-quality Materials
However, Honda scores slightly higher due to its vehicles’ ample cargo space and higher-quality interior materials.
Honda Vehicles with a Score Above 8 Out of 10
Several Honda vehicles score above 8 out of 10, including:
Honda Fit,
Honda Ridgeline,
Honda CR-V, and
Honda Accord.
Hyundai Santa Fe
The Hyundai vehicle that crosses this threshold is the Hyundai Santa Fe.
Honda earns average scores for its Honda Clarity and Honda CR-V Hybrid. At the same time, Hyundai earns the same for its Hyundai Tucson and Hyundai Accent.
In the interior category, Honda is the winner.
4. Safety
Both Are Equipped with Standard and State-of-the-art Safety Features
Hyundai and Honda vehicles are equipped with standard and state-of-the-art safety features. They both have the following features:
Adaptive cruise control,
Automatic emergency braking, and
Forward-collision warning models.
Aside from that, their vehicles are also equipped with a driver drowsiness monitoring system, a lane keep assist system, and a lane departure warning system.
Optional Safety Features
They also have optional features like:
Head-up display,
Rear cross-traffic alert, and
Blind-spot monitoring.
Hyundai Models That Earned Top Scores in Crash Tests
Several Hyundai models earned top scores in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Some of these are the Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Veloster, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Santa Fe, Hyundai Kona, and Hyundai Elantra. On the other hand, the Honda Insight and Honda Accord earned a Good overall rating from the IIHS.
In this category, there is a tie between Hyundai and Honda.
5. Price
Both Are Popular for Being Affordable
Honda and Hyundai have always been known for the affordability of their vehicles. They offer non-luxury vehicles and are, therefore, providing an opportunity for everyone to own a car.
Longer Warranties for Hyundai
But while both car brands offer affordable prices, Hyundai has started offering longer warranties. This is one reason that makes this car brand stand out from the rest.
Lower Starting Price for Hyundai Vehicles
Compared to Honda, Hyundai offers a lower starting price. Some models with starting prices below $20,000 are:
Hyundai Venue,
Hyundai Veloster,
Hyundai Elantra, and
Hyundai Accent.
The Honda Fit was offered within this range too. However, Honda has discontinued manufacturing this model.
So, if your top concern is affordability, Hyundai is the best choice.
6. Midsize SUVs
Two-row and Three-row SUVs
The vehicles included in the Midsize Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) category are two-row and three-row SUVs. Both Hyundai Santa Fe and Honda Passport have two rows, while the Hyundai Palisade and Honda Pilot have three rows.
Quicker Acceleration
The latter delivers quicker acceleration between the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Honda Passport. This is due to its V6 engine, which Santa Fe lacks. The Honda Passport also has ample cargo space. However, Hyundai is the winner regarding gas mileage, affordability, and reliability.
Comfortable Seating
The Honda Pilot and Hyundai Palisade have comfortable seating in all three rows. Both boast superb ride and handling and an impressive 5,000-lb towing capacity.
Better Fuel Economy and Cargo Space
The Honda Pilot is better in terms of fuel economy and cargo space. But Hyundai has a slightly larger cabin, more advanced features, and higher safety and reliability ratings.
In this category, Hyundai is better than Honda.
7. Compact SUVs
Honda boasts of its CR-V for the Compact SUV category, while Hyundai takes pride in its Tucson.
Hyundai Tucson is ideal for prioritizing a more extended warranty and more standard features. But if you are looking for other features such as a state-of-the-art cabin and quicker acceleration, then the Honda CR-V is the right choice.
Overall, the winner in this category is Honda.
8. Subcompact SUVs
Honda’s HR-V and Hyundai’s Kona and Venue
Subcompact SUVs have become more and more popular in this day and age. Honda and Hyundai jumped on the bandwagon in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Since then, Honda has been offering the HR-V, while Hyundai has Kona and Venue.
HR-V’s Wide Cargo Space
Like other Honda vehicles, the HR-V has an impressively wide cargo space, which can be configured or reconfigured differently.
HR-V’s Great Handling and Fuel Economy
Its handling and fuel economy is great, but its acceleration is not as quick as the other Honda models. It also doesn’t have many standard features, even lacking user-friendly technology.
Kona and Venue’s Modern Cabin Designs
The Hyundai Kona and Hyundai Venue have modern cabin designs with minimal instruments and controls. Compared to the Honda HR-V, these subcompact SUVs have a longer list of standard features, including a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Venue’s Better Fuel Economy
The Hyundai Venue has a better fuel economy and is offered at a lower starting price than the Honda HR-V. At the same time, the Hyundai Kona has quicker acceleration.
In this category, Hyundai is ahead of Honda.
9. Midsize Cars
Sonata and Accord’s Features
We have the Hyundai Sonata and the Honda Accord for the Midsize Car category. Both have the following features:
Easy-to-use infotainment systems,
Excellent gas mileage, and
A long list of impressive standard features.
Sonata’s Lower Starting Price
The Hyundai Sonata is offered at a lower starting price and has a higher predicted reliability rating. Aside from that, its safety add-ons are more innovative such as its remote parking assist feature.
Accord’s Higher Safety Rating
When it comes the Honda Accord, its safety rating is higher than the Hyundai Sonata. It also has a larger trunk space, more spacious rear seats, sharper handling, and quicker acceleration.
In the Midsize Car category, Honda is better than Hyundai.
10. Small Cars
Highest Rank in the Small Car Category
If you are a car enthusiast, you most likely know that the Honda Civic consistently earns the highest in the Small Car category. It has always been known for its excellent fuel economy, energetic powertrains, engaging road manners, and ample cabin space.
Hyundai Vehicles in the Small Car Category
Hyundai has several models in this category, including the Hyundai Veloster, Hyundai Elantra, and Hyundai Accent.
Compared to the Honda Civic, they have a lower starting price. Also, their predicted reliability ratings are higher. However, the Honda Civic is way ahead of them regarding performance.
So, in this category, Honda is the winner.
11. Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Honda has released hybrid versions of its Accord and CR-V. At the same time, Hyundai has released a hybrid version of its Sonata and an electric version of its Kona.
Both car manufacturers have also released dedicated hybrid and electric models. These include the Hyundai Ioniq and the Honda Clarity.
Hyundai Ranks Better Than Honda
In this category, the Hyundai models rank better than their Honda counterparts. They are observed to be more environmentally friendly and to have a better fuel economy. These hybrid and electric vehicles earned higher predicted reliability ratings and are offered at low starting prices.
So, the winner in this category is Hyundai.
12. Overall Lineup
In terms of the overall lineup, there’s no denying that Honda has a more diverse one. It offers more classes compared to Hyundai. Honda has such models as Honda Ridgeline and Honda Odyssey, which do not have any Hyundai counterparts.
Indeed, car buyers have more options with Honda than Hyundai.
Again, Honda vs. Hyundai – is a Honda better than a Hyundai? Honda excels in most car categories. Meanwhile, Hyundai vehicles also have superior qualities. However, Honda is regarded as the best in the small and medium car categories. Plus, Honda CR-V performs better than the used Hyundai Tucson.
Based on our discussion, the overall winner is Honda. But this doesn’t mean that Hyundai is not an excellent car brand. It is, in fact, one of the best, which is why it has also won out several categories in this matchup:
Categories
Brand
Reliability
Hyundai
Performance
Honda
Interior
Honda
Safety
Honda
Price
Hyundai
Midsize SUVs
Hyundai
Compact SUVs
Honda
Subcompact SUVs
Hyundai
Midsize Cars
Honda
Small Cars
Honda
Hybrid and Electric Vehicles
Hyundai
Overall Lineup
Honda
Honda Vs. Hyundai Maintenance
Between Honda and Hyundai, the latter is more costly to maintain. Hyundai vehicles’ annual maintenance cost is roughly $468, while Honda vehicles’ annual maintenance cost is about $428.
Honda Maintenance and Repair Cost
The average cost of a Honda vehicle’s annual maintenance is $428. This consists of routine services and unscheduled repairs.
Of course, the cost differs depending on your Honda model. For instance, the average annual maintenance cost for the Honda Civic is $368, while it is $390 for the Honda Fit.
The average maintenance costs for the Honda Accord, Honda CR-V, and Honda Odyssey vary. They cost $400, $407, and $547, respectively:
Model
Average Annual Maintenance Cost
Honda Odyssey
$547
Honda CR-V
$407
Honda Accord
$400
Honda Fit
$390
Honda Civic
$368
Factors That Determine Honda’s Maintenance Cost
Honda has always been known to have reliable vehicles. It scores 4 out of 5 in the ratings released by RepairPal in terms of reliability. Out of the 32 automotive brands reviewed by RepairPal, Honda ranks first place.
The factors contributing to Honda’s high rating include the following:
Repair and Maintenance Costs
Frequency of Repairs
Severity of Repairs
Let’s briefly talk about these factors:
1. Repair and Maintenance Costs
The replacement parts for Honda vehicles are affordable. They are way less costly than the specialty components of other car brands.
2. Frequency of Repairs
Impressively, Honda owners visit the repair shop less often than the industry average. Suffice to say that Honda vehicles are indeed durable.
3. Severity of Repairs
On average, Honda vehicles only sustain severe repairs. This is because they are made of high-quality materials.
All these factors explain why Honda vehicles have lower maintenance costs compared to others.
Hyundai Maintenance and Repair Cost
Honda may be less costly to maintain, but Hyundai is not that expensive either. While Honda ranks first place in a study conducted by RepairPal, Hyundai ranks fourth. With an average annual maintenance cost of $468, it is remarkably lower than the industry average of $652.
The average annual maintenance cost for Hyundai Tucson is $426, while it is $452 for Hyundai Elantra. The costs for Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Veloster, and Hyundai Santa Fe are higher at $458, $493, and $515, respectively:
Model
Average Annual Maintenance Cost
Hyundai Santa Fe
$515
Hyundai Veloster
$493
Hyundai Sonata
$458
Hyundai Elantra
$452
Hyundai Tucson
$426
Factors That Determine Hyundai’s Maintenance Cost
Similar to Honda, the maintenance and repair costs for Hyundai are affordable. They are less costly than other car brands. The frequency of repair shop visits and the severity of repairs is low. However, their reported car issues are higher than Honda’s.
Here are some of the common issues encountered by Hyundai vehicle owners:
Check Engine light due to crankshaft position sensor failure
Transmission not shifting properly
Parking lights don’t turn off
Frequently Asked Questions – Differences Between Honda and Hyundai
Here are several frequently asked questions about the differences between Honda and Hyundai.
Is Hyundai More Reliable Than Honda?
In terms of reliability, Hyundai is slightly better than Honda. This doesn’t mean that Honda is not a reliable brand.
What Is the Difference Between Honda and Hyundai?
Honda maintains its reputation as a company that manufactures high-quality vehicles. Hyundai is slowly leveling up and has been a strong rival of Honda. This is especially true for technology, interior quality, style, and features.
Is Hyundai Safer Than Honda?
Honda remains the top choice among car enthusiasts regarding safety, interior, and performance. However, its score is only slightly higher than Hyundai’s.
Is Hyundai as Good as Honda?
Overall, Honda is better than Hyundai. Honda vehicles have more desirable quality, performance, car varieties, modern interior, and safety features. On the other hand, Hyundai vehicles are better for hybrid designs, warranty, and affordability.
Is Hyundai a Copy of Honda?
Hyundai and Honda are two different car brands unrelated to each other. Hyundai is a Korean automaker, while Honda is a Japanese automaker.
Do Hyundai Cars Last Long?
Hyundai vehicles can last up to 20 years or about 300,000 miles if properly maintained and not abused. They have a long lifespan, low maintenance cost, and reliability.
Are Hyundai Expensive to Maintain?
Hyundai vehicles are not costly to maintain. Its average annual maintenance cost is $468, lower than the industry average of $652 yearly.
Why Is Honda the Best?
Many factors make Honda vehicles stand out from the rest. These include performance, fuel efficiency, durability, and driveability. Indeed, Honda offers its customers an ultimate driving and riding experience.
In Closing: Hyundai vs. Honda
To sum it up, Honda is superior to Hyundai in different categories. These include the interiors, performance, safety, compact SUVs, midsize cars, small cars, and overall lineup.
But Hyundai is better than Honda regarding reliability, affordability, midsize SUVs, subcompact SUVs, and hybrid and electric vehicles.
While Honda is the overall winner in this match, it doesn’t mean that Hyundai is not a great car brand. If you can’t decide whether to buy a Honda or a Hyundai, it all boils down to what best fits your requirement.
