Best Pick: The New Sonata or the Honda Accord?

Hyundai's new Sonata will hit the market as the 'New Sonata Embraer'. The New Sonata's all aluminium 2.4 litre engine is silent at idle mode and cruises gently as well, It's only when you step on the pedals, you will notice that the Accord edges out the Sonata at higher revs in terms of refinement.

Both the cars have power and torque that make driving a pleasure. However, the Accord feels slightly more responsive than the Sonata. The Honda Accord's gearbox also seems better suited to the city's driving conditions, requiring fewer shifts down.

Still it's an extremely close call between the cars and the fact that Hyundai can keep up with the Accord is an impressive fact in itself.

The Sonata does have ABS like the Honda Accord but it has other safety features like electronic stability control, traction control system and the electronic brake force distribution, which deifintely work in its favour.  

Well here's a scale of how the cars feel when you are being chauffered around in them. On a scale 1 to 5 for design and engineering, the Accord gets a 4 to Sonata's 3.5 On engine, gearbox and performance, the Accord gets a 4 and the Sonata 3.75. On interiors and comfort, they are almost neck to neck yet again. The Sonata has the better ride while the Accord has the better interiors.

The low-speed ride of the Accord has always been its Achilles heel. Although both cars share the same suspension systems on paper, with double wishbones upfront and independent multi-link in the rear, the Sonata soaks up the terrain with amazing grace compared to the Accord.

A better ride almost always equals any compromise in handling but it's minimal in the Sonata, which has well planted feel at high speeds. The Accord, however, is the better driver's car with its cornering stability and more tactile steering. The rear seat of the Sonata is too upright and the Accord could just be the better ride for long journeys. But up front, for a 6 footer, the steering wheel may graze the driver's knees even in the highest position, while the Sonata offers more leg room.

The final verdict? The Accord feels more built to suit its class but the Sonata... well the car comes at a very attractive Rs 14.36 lakhs, and in a whole, new improved package, which brings it closer to the other cars in this segment. 

Tech Specs

Hyundai Sonata Max power: 165 ps Max torque: 23.6 kgm Honda Accord Max power: 142 bhp Max torque: 19.5 kgm