Indiacar.com - Overdrive Compares the Hyundai Sonata Embera with the Honda Accord

Overdrive December 2005 has featured a comparison between the Hyundai Sonata Embera and the Honda Accord, and boy, was it tough competition or what! With minuscule and subtle differences between both cars, there is not one account where there is a huge difference. However, Overdrive has still managed to come up with a good assessment of the two, and what follows is exactly how they have gone about it.

Hyundai Sonata Embera

Honda Accord

The Sonata is a car endowed with good-looks. Very sleek and flashy (in a good way), it certainly is a had-turner, more so for the youth.

The Accord too makes a statement, and its chrome colour scheme attracts almost instantaneously.

The Sonata Embera has twin exhaust tips, and 16” seven- spoke alloys, thereby rendering a delightfully wicked image to the car.

The Accord has smaller 15” tyres on five-spoke alloys, reminding you of a cheetah lurking about for its prey.

The Sonata, although a tad heavy at 1532 kgs, feels sturdy and solid.

The Accord is a good 92 kgs lighter, but does not compromise on toughness or quality.

The gearshift of the Hyundai is a delight to use. Even the knob requires no more than two fingers to move.

The gearbox moves almost effortlessly, and is of very good quality.

The car being heavier (1532 kgs) can prove to be a drawback as far as fuel efficiency is concerned, but its large tank saves face with an average of 10.05 kmpl.

Since it is lighter by around 92 kgs, the Accord gives an whopping average of 11.68 kmpl. This car is sure one class above the Sonata, as far as fuel efficiency is concerned.

The Sonata has a slightly heavy steering wheel, but not provide any particular cause for complaint. In fact, it provides a good and comfortable feel.

The Accord has a lithe and agile steering wheel. Almost feather touch, it makes driving a pleasure.

The controls, especially the AC buttons are ergonomically perfect, which makes them very accessible.

The controls on this car are ergonomically suited to the driver, and everything is conveniently accessible.

Seating is extremely comfortable, and almost better than even a dining room sofa! The rear seats are equally comfortable, and leave enough knee room as well.

The seating on the Accord too is pleasantly relaxing, but a bit better than the Sonata with respect to leg room. The front and rear knee room is also noticeably better.

The Sonata’s boot can accommodate 532 litres of luggage, and there is a huge margin between the boots of both cars.

Almost 112 litres of boot space lesser than the Sonata, the Accord’s boot space of 420 litres is not very impressive.

The clutch is a little heavy, the engine a little sluggish and takes time before responding to orders.

The clutch is lightness personified, although the engine is slightly loud and rough.

To sum it up, the Hyundai certainly is a popular choice, what with being faster, better handling and better build.

However, the Honda still rules, even after completing more than two years in the Indian automobile industry. It is graceful and smooth, two qualities that definitely click with buyers.