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Hyundai Sonata vs Honda Accord
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Comments
Some of the highlights include.
*Azera lookin front end
*Horsepower increase for both 4cyl and V6
*Improved fuel economy for both engines
*5 speed auto trans for 4cyl
*Blue background dashboard lights
*Improved handling and ride
*Specific sport handling for SE model
*Redone interior featuring, more storage,better finish,less plastic looking
*USB port and i-pod jack
*Exhaust tuned for performance sound
But aren't they still "thousands of dollars" more than Hyundais' going price?
I believe that Honda needs to discount their prices heavily because Hyundai, among others, is eating up their share of the pie due to relatively exhorbitant price of the former. But still, Honda can't lower their price the same as Hyundai because they believe that the vertical "H" gives them the right to rip more money from their customers.
And yes, it's already been discussed before that, most are paying more for the "H" not so much because of the supposed superior quality but more so because of the perceived "good will" that the "H" stand for.
I used to be a Honda fanboi, i can still afford it but why do i have to pay more when i can get something else for thousands $$$ less and yet satisfies my needs even better!!! :shades:
So, for me, its good-bye to the "H" and welcome to the "H"
That is some kind of imagination you have there. How can you drive with your eyes closed? No way to mistake the Sonata's interior for a Lexus.
i cannot wait to put remote start on my car.
May I ask why you want remote start? It's not a good idea to leave your engine idling for a long time.
I wish we could get back to the good ole days of talking about the dynamics of a car. The powertrains. More than just brand identities. PLEASE? For MEEEE?
I think the Sonata offers great value, however, and is a fine car.
People in general pay a lot more for Accords than for comparable Hondas. It is my belief that some of that money goes into superior engineering for the Accord. But some of it goes for owning a Honda, and for the brand image that gives.
I think the Sonata and the Accord are not that far off. If my budget were tight, I might have bought a Sonata. But since I had the money, I bought the Accord, and I was able to tell the difference between the two cars in a lot of small details, from the design of the dash and controls, to the feel of the seats.
When the revised Sonata comes out, they may well get closer again, but I think the Accord will still have the edge for comparable models. But it's true that for the price of a 4 cylinder Accord with cloth you can get a V-6 Sonata with leather...
THe Japanese Reliability/Pocket Rocket Combo? (Civic Si, etc). The Hybrid thing. The AWD car thing (Subaru, etc). There's still others you haven't stated! Others are cross-cultural (Japanese AWD Sedan, etc).
I don't seem much about driving dynamics in this kind of post, do you? :confuse:
It is quite clear that there are a few posters who frequent this board that have nothing consstructive to offer in terms of the cars themselves BUT nevertheless insist on attacking others ( or baiting others with inflammatoty biased comments).No names need be given but it would be nice if such juvenile behavior would end .
What is your basis for comparison of the Accord to the Sonata? I know you own a previous-gen Accord, but have you ever driven a current-gen Sonata?
Is it the Sonata's quality the equal of a Lexus in every respect? Of course not. But it costs half of what a Lexus costs.
But as far as Lexus or BMw, I would have to say, twice the price twice the car.
I'm sorry to say it, but that was one of the reasons why I crossed the Sonata off of my list--they seemed to be languishing on the lots, and the whole Hyundai brand seemed to be holding its own, and doing fine, but not really coming on strong like I expected it would at this point. One of my local Hyundai dealers has the advertising tag line: "if you can't buy a car here, you can't buy one anywhere!" Well, frankly, if that is the kind of customer they are going for, I'm going elsewhere. Because I can afford a car elsewhere, and I ended up buying an Accord.
Again, I really do think the Sonata is a very nice car, very competitive, and a very good value, but if price is no object and you are just seeking excellent engineering, reliability, extensive dealer network, etc., most people are apparently going to go for the Accord.
On the other hand if your budget is tight you can go for the Sonata, and feel that you are getting a good car at a great price. You can still get a well equipped Sonata for the price of an entry level Civic sedan, for instance...
The perception of the brand is Hyundai's #1 challenge in the U.S., and the only way they'll overcome it is to keep up with the steady improvements in their cars, as with the mid-gen refresh of the Sonata. Professional opinion will follow, and then over time general opinion. Meanwhile, people who are looking for a great value in a mid-sized car have one in the Sonata. I have a feeling the huge discount compared to cars like the Accord is not long for this world.
Exactly, but price is a totally different animal than value. In my case, I bought a Hyundai based upon the latter as I could have easily purchased a much more expensive car for cash (I never finance a car purchase). I'm probably an anomaly however, as I've always purchased below my means. With kids in college, and other places for my money, a car is a secondary expense.
Everyone is different, and so are their priorities. A friend of mine has lived in a small low-rent Apartment all his life. But when it comes to his car, he will own nothing less than a BMW or MB. To some the word "value" doesn't come into play, when it comes to their car, and will sacrifice in other areas, to get what they want. I find luxury cars just have more "gadgets", that I would not use anyway. I don't need an I-pod connection, nav, bluetooth, or many other extras luxury cars have. My Accord actually has a couple of things I could easily do without.
Let's be honest here. Are you looking at your interior design while you drive? You better watch road instead of interior.
Have you owened both Honda and Hyundai? I have and I do not see any difference. Comparing cars are good for owners and potential buyers however bashing other car for no reason isn't smart thing to do and make you look not smart. :P
And to all, that's an important point to remember - your perceptions are only your own, and they do not invalidate someone else's opposing perceptions.
If a car is just "a car" to everyone though, we'd all be in the cheapest, plainest box available (in this case, the Sonata is the cheapest box in its size - and although it is a very nice box, I found it had all the sporting pretenstions of a dishwasher, much like the Camey).
Some people enjoy the drive and find some cars are more than an appliance to go A to B. For those enthusiasts, an Accord is more sporty than the Sonata, I think. I don't find it to be a personal attack, just a personal opinion about a car.
The Sonata was the equal of the previous-gen Accord in acceleration (at least for 0-60 with the V6s) and superior in braking, but its handling was not as sharp as the Accord's. It appears Hyundai agrees with you that more people would like a sportier driving experience with their mid-sized family cars, and are tweaking the Sonata for '09 to be "sportier". Although Toyota never had any problem selling tons of their Camry appliances...
The Sonata was the equal of the previous-gen Accord in acceleration (at least for 0-60 with the V6s) and superior in braking, but its handling was not as sharp as the Accord's. It appears Hyundai agrees with you that more people would like a sportier driving experience with their mid-sized family cars, and are tweaking the Sonata for '09 to be "sportier". Although Toyota never had any problem selling tons of their Camry appliances...
I always forget the Optima for some reason, and I shouldn't because I actually like it better than the Sonata.
I agree that Hyundai was lacking in handling crispness (and in turn it rode more smoothly than the Honda). I'm surprised they're tweaking the Sonata for more sport; I figured Kia would take on Honda with Hyundai gunning for Camry.
And yes, Toyota sells tons of Camrys (Camries?) but that's a majority I'm going to have to stay out of. They went from bland, classy, and boring to obnoixious looking, cheaper feeling, and fast (for V6 owners). Of course, styling being subjective I don't expect agreement across the board. Just my 2 cents!
Btw backy, when I said "box" I didn't mean to be demeaning. The Sonata is easily as nicely styled on the exterior than the Honda I drive, so I wasn't poking at it on purpose, it just came out wrong.
Going out for a Sunday drive now!
TheGrad
I wonder if the handling tweaks will be across the board or only on the SE? I wouldn't be surprised to see "sport" handling only on the SE, ala Camry, as some folks do prefer a smoother ride to sharp handling, and Hyundai has done the special sport handling package before, ala the Elantra hatchback.
I'll admit that Hyundai has, indeed come a long way since their initial and later offerings.
It is still, however, a Hyundai.
They still bomb at the auctions and they continue to have dismal resale values.
Yes, they are cheaper when new compared to Honda and Toyota but this go's away when it's time to sell them.
I suppose this situation could evolve as the years pass but for the time being, Korean cars are still shunned by most people.
Just my thoughts and experience, not a slam at all.
I bought my loaded new 2007 leather V6 Sonata Limited for $19,600 about 4 months ago.
A comparably equipped Accord or Camry was at least $30K.
Drives and handles beautifully, and pretty fast too. I embarrassed a 2007 V6 Accord that tried to hustle me at a stop light. I believe C & D with their clocked 0 - 60mph times of 6.4secs.
I keep my cars at least 10 years - so trade-in value is irrelevant then. Initial $10K savings can be easily invested to double in value in my investment portfolio. By the way, I paid cash for my new Sonata with some of my investment gains. My trade-in was a 13yr old Continental with DOHC,32V, 260hp, V8 engine. My new Sonata is faster than the Conti.
We have a 2004 Honda Ody and it is a great performing vehicle. Once I test drove the 2007 Sonata to replace my 13 yr Conti, I was convinced that they have made tremendous progress with their car designs, with regard to refinement, quality and fit/finish. Their quality according to JD Powers and Consumers Report are approaching the Japanese levels as well - that plus the $10+K savings over a comparably equipped Accord or Camry swayed me to my purchase of the 2007 Sonata Limited. The 10 yr power train warranty and the 5yr bumper to bumper warranty are another plus. C & D Sept/07 positive long term test report with no warranty repairs on the "Seoul train" Sonata was added bonus to the existing positive reports on the Sonata.
They still are, however, a Korean car and most people don't want them. Most people don't keep their cars ten years so resale is important.
Select reliable cars to last at least 10 years so that the savings and investment gains amount to paying cash for a new car. I have not had a car loan in decades.
But when that SAME magazine touts the Sonata for relialibity, the magazine is not credible?
As much as I admire the Accord and as much as I admire Honda's virtues, one cannot be blind to the fact that the competition is in some ways matching and beating Honda in certain areas.
I find myself in a new situation living here in Chicago mainly because of the colder weather and the need for ABS and/or stability control as oppposed to living in S. Carolina. My Altima, which cost me $21K does not have ABS, SAB, SAC, TRAC or stability control, so my priorities have changed.
So, for my safety I've decided I may need to get a car equipt with these features. ABS and stability control.
The Sonata SE, Accord EX and Camry SE fit that bill. Problem is I want a stick, so that knocks at least the Camry off my list (try finding one with a stick) and probably the Sonata too. But I cannot deny the great value that the Sonata has. Prices for the Sonata are more in line with the Civic and for a 21 (almost 22) year old on a budget, you simply cannot ignore what the Sonata gives you for the money.
So I'm waiting...until the 09 is released and if I like it I very well may get an 09 Sonata once the prices come down to levels similar to 07 and 08 models.
Sonata may not be the best looking, may not be the sportiest (that could change) but it sure is a great value. I've been doing some deep research on the cars and I've been througly impressed with the cars.
Now if only Hyundai (or Nissan for that matter) would offer some type of I4 model with leather AND a stick shift...I'd be more inclined to look into them. Until then the Accord remains my top choice.
And be stuck with a Continental for 12 years? No thanks. Life is too short to pinch a few pennies. Not everybody wants the cheapest. Lots of people have the money to not have to make this calculation when buying a car.
What those have said regarding Korean cars is exactly what thousands said regarding Japanese cars 30+ years ago. When I bought my first Toyota in 1968, and later a Honda Civic CVCC in the mid-70s, my father-in-law not only laughed, but almost exiled me from the family. As a Chevy man, he said "how could you buy that Japanese junk." Times change, and so it is AGAIN with Korean cars, just as with Japanese cars before them.
I was looking at a Toyota Prius this afternoon, and a fellow "looker" who drove into the dealer's lot in a late model Nissan Maxima started talking about a recent trip, and vehicle rental - a Kia Optima. He said he was very impressed by the Optima, in all areas. And, this was from a person who's only owned Japanese cars for over 20 years.
Time, and age in my case, gives perspective to all of these arguments here on this forum. Many, and I mean many, Japanese car owners once had to strongly support, and justify, their purchase of a Honda, or other Japanese brand, years ago in the face of a great majority of those who thought Japanese cars were junk. My, how time doesn't change things . . . only the names and faces do!
I would not pay the high price for a used Japanese car - especially one that is 12 yrs old. At this age, its virginity is long, long lost and is very likely to show its colors indicative of its past use. This applies to any car, be it BMW, MB or Honda/Toyota - it is a mechanical thing that would only last for so long. But this higer price is what the average Japanese car buyer wants to pay for it in the market. In fact I am thinking of selling my 2004 Ody EX for top value of about $20K to some sucker so that I can downsize to a new vehicle for close to the same price. Personally, I would not pay that much for a 3+ yr vehicle with 38K miles that I have bought new for $24.5K. But that sucker exists.
One would be unwise to pay up to $2K for a NAV that is rarely used. My sons have NAV in their cars and regret paying so much for them - they rarely use it - portable NAVs are more sensible. If you really needed a NAV, get yourself a good Garmin or Magellan for about $500 to use between the family cars. On the $10K price difference, compare similar options like heated leather seats/mirrors, TPMS, ESC, TC, mirror with compass, etc and the number$ add up quickly. ESC(and maybe TPMS) is not offered in Accord.
Well it took the Japanese about 50 yrs to get where they are today; it took the Koreans only about 20 yrs to reach similar levels from the first Excels in the 1980's... Interesting stats - that's why Toyota is more worried about the Koreans than any USA or European make.
The Chinese will start their USA penetration initiative soon. Should be interesting to seehow it evolves - no doubt, there will be growing pains like what the Japanese and Koreans experienced.