Tens of thousands of American car buyers are asking this question.  The answer, for savvy buyers, is “Hyundai’s vehicles compare to Honda’s very well.”  In fact, in many ways Hyundai cars are much better than Honda’s automobiles.

Sure, Honda makes good cars.  They’re known for being built solidly and for being reliable.  And a few Hondas (not all) are known for their good fuel economy.  But Hyundai gives you those benefits too.

More and more car shoppers are discovering Honda’s dirty little secret when they’re comparing the vehicles made by the two companies:  Hyundai’s vehicles are better than Honda’s.  The word is spreading quickly all over the country.  Here’s why.

Overall Fuel Efficiency

When it comes to fuel efficiency, Honda likes to make a big deal about its Civic Hybrid.  Makes sense, because the EPA has rated that car at 44 mpg and that’s pretty good.  But the company’s other cars don’t measure up anywhere near as well in the fuel-efficiency department.  For instance, the Accord Coupe is rated at 32 mpg highway.  Even the tiny Fit only gets 35 mpg highway – you’d think a car that small would do a lot better than that!

On the other hand, Hyundai is America’s most fuel-efficient car company.  Several models, including the chic Sonata Hybrid, the Accent, the Elantra and the Veloster M/T, get as much as 40 mpg highway.  Car shoppers who are looking for good gas mileage have plenty of choices – not just one or two.  And Hyundai is committed to achieving a fleet-wide average of 50 mpg by 2025.  Do you know of any other car maker that’s aiming so high?

Styling and Performance

Honda’s cars are good, but for the most part they’re just not exciting to look at – or drive.  The Civic and CR-Z are probably Honda’s most stylish models, but many people don’t like the looks of either one.  And it’s hard to imagine a car that’s more conservatively designed than the Honda Accord.

Now, compare the looks of those cars with the vehicles Hyundai’s making.  The Sonata pioneered the free-flowing curves that characterize the company’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design philosophy, but the Accent and Elantra have also jumped on board.  Daring, contemporary, sleek, sporty and elegant, all wrapped into one.  And there’s no questioning the beauty of the Azera, Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Equus.

Hyundai cars – but especially the Elantra, Sonata, Veloster and Genesis Coupe – also give you sporty driving dynamics.  Their spirited acceleration and responsive handling make them not only nicer to look at than Hondas, but more fun to drive!

When you contrast the vehicles of the two companies, you’ll see that Hondas desperately need to be updated just to keep up with the autos Hyundai is making.  Hondas need some new, more contemporary exterior designs, and their driving characteristics could use some help too.  Right now, there simply isn’t any comparison between the two manufacturers.

Reasonable Prices and Vehicles Packed with Features

Excellent build quality + lower pricing + more standard features + industry-leading warranty = the definition of automotive value.  It’s also the definition of Hyundai vehicles, starting from the inexpensive Accent and going all the way up to the luxurious Equus.  You can get the same level of quality and features with a Honda, but you’ll pay a lot more.  What you won’t get with a Honda – at any price – is the country’s best new-car warranty.  That belongs to Hyundai.

Quality and Dependability Backed by the Country’s Best Warranty

Hands-down, Hyundai gives you the best new-car warranty in the business.  It’s the car industry’s longest and most comprehensive, and it signifies how strongly Hyundai believes in its vehicles.  Here it is, in a nutshell:

• 5-year/60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty;
• 7-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation warranty; and
• 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty.

Now, compare that with the warranty offered by Honda:

• 3-year/36,000 mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty;
• 5-year/unlimited mileage corrosion limited warranty; and
• 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty.

The difference in how the two companies back their vehicles is remarkable, don’t you think?

Honda’s lineup is good, but it desperately needs to be updated to give it better looks and fuel efficiency.  It also needs to be backed by a stronger, more competitive warranty.  On all counts, Hyundai’s already there.