2026 Honda Accord vs. 2026 Hyundai Elantra

TrueCar says the Hyundai Elantra's $24,120 MSRP undercuts the Honda Accord's $29,690 TSRP by $5,570, and the Elantra also wins on fuel economy at 31 city/40 highway mpg versus the Accord's 29 city/37 highway. iSeeCars says the Accord is ranked 1 out of 11 Best Midsize Cars with a quality rating of 8.9 out of 10 versus the Elantra's 8.2 (ranked 5 out of 31 Best Small Cars), gives the Accord a slight reliability advantage at 8.0 versus the Elantra's 7.5, and shows the Accord's 192-hp base engine well ahead of the Elantra's 147 hp, while the compact Elantra has more front headroom and the midsize Accord has more shoulder room, rear legroom, and cargo space.

Which to choose, and why

$5,570 cheaper, thriftier Elantra

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Hyundai Elantra's $24,120 MSRP undercuts the Honda Accord's $29,690 TSRP by $5,570, and the Elantra also wins on fuel economy at 31 city/40 highway mpg versus the Accord's 29 city/37 highway.

The Accord rates higher on quality and has more power

iSeeCars (opens in a new tab) says the Accord is ranked 1 out of 11 Best Midsize Cars with a quality rating of 8.9 out of 10 versus the Elantra's 8.2 (ranked 5 out of 31 Best Small Cars), gives the Accord a slight reliability advantage at 8.0 versus the Elantra's 7.5, and shows the Accord's 192-hp base engine well ahead of the Elantra's 147 hp, while the compact Elantra has more front headroom and the midsize Accord has more shoulder room, rear legroom, and cargo space.

Questions buyers ask

Which is cheaper, the Honda Accord or Hyundai Elantra?

TrueCar (opens in a new tab) says the Elantra, by $5,570 at MSRP/TSRP.

Which has more horsepower, the Honda Accord or Hyundai Elantra?

iSeeCars (opens in a new tab) says the Accord, at 192 hp versus the Elantra's 147 hp.

Side-by-side matrix

The published fields that can change the decision.

Honda Accord: 4 records · Hyundai Elantra: 7 records.

Decision field	Honda Accord	Hyundai Elantra
Exact EPA records	4	7
Model / option labels	4	6
Drive layouts	Front-Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive
Engines / propulsion	1.5L 4-cyl SIDI, 2L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid	1.6L 4-cyl SIDI, 1.6L 4-cyl SIDI; Hybrid, 2L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl SIDI
Transmissions	Automatic (variable gear ratios)	Automatic (AM-S6), Automatic (AM-S7), Automatic (AM-S8), Automatic (AV-S1), Manual 6-spd
Fuel types	Regular	Premium, Regular
EPA classes	Large Cars, Midsize Cars	Midsize Cars
Combined efficiency	31–48 MPG/MPGe	23–54 MPG/MPGe
Electric range	Not listed	Not listed
Annual fuel / energy estimate	$1350–2100 per year	$1200–3450 per year

Head to head

Honda Accord vs. Hyundai Elantra: size, power, capability and price.

Measure	Honda Accord	Hyundai Elantra
Starting price (KBB base)	$29,590	$23,870
Top trim price (KBB base)	$31,890	$30,645
Horsepower	192 hp	147-201 hp
Torque	192 lb-ft	132-195 lb-ft
Curb weight	3,239-3,311 lb	2,868-3,020 lb
Length	195.7 in	185.4 in
Wheelbase	111.4 in	107.1 in
Cargo volume	16.7 cu ft	14.2 cu ft
Seating	5 seats	5 seats
Basic warranty	3 years	5 years

Figures are ranges across each model’s trims from Kelley Blue Book records (2026 model year); prices are KBB base prices.

The Hyundai Elantra starts $5,720 lower: $23,870 against $29,590 before options and fees.
On peak horsepower, the Hyundai Elantra leads: 201 hp against 192 hp.
On peak torque, the Hyundai Elantra leads: 195 lb-ft against 192 lb-ft.
The Hyundai Elantra is lighter, comparing lightest trims: 2,868 lb against 3,239 lb.
On length, the Honda Accord leads: 195.7 in against 185.4 in.
On wheelbase, the Honda Accord leads: 111.4 in against 107.1 in.
On cargo volume, the Honda Accord leads: 16.7 cu ft against 14.2 cu ft.
Both list the same seating capacity: 5 seats.
On basic warranty, the Hyundai Elantra leads: 5 years against 3 years.

Background on each vehicle

What public sources say about the Honda Accord and the Hyundai Elantra.

2026 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord, also known as the Honda Inspire in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States since 1989. Worldwide, over 19 million units of the car have been sold, making it one of the best-selling automobiles of all time.

Source: Honda Accord (Wikipedia)

Engines. The 2019 Accord received the 2019 IIHS Top Safety Pick: Small overlap front: driver-side - Good (vehicle structure rated "Good"). Small overlap front: passenger-side - Good (vehicle structure rated "Good"). Moderate overlap front - Good.

Safety. Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" for 1994. Car and Driver's recipient of the 10 Best in recognition for 39 of the last 43 years. (not 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 model years) Voted "Car of the Year Japan" in 1985, 1993 and 2002. 2008 Drive's "Car of the Year".

NHTSA rated the 2022 Honda Accord overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 5 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (5 campaigns across the latest model years)

January 2026, Seats:Critical Fasteners. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, and 2024 HR-V, Pilot, and Acura Integra vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can result in a loose seat. As such, these… Consequence: A loose driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
November 2024, Seats:Critical Fasteners. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Pilot, and 2024 HR-V, Acura Integra and Acura Integra Type S vehicles. The driver's seat cushion frame may not have been tightened properly, which can… Consequence: An unsecured driver's seat may not adequately restrain the driver during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
October 2024, Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump. Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Honda Accord, Accord Hybrid, 2023-2025 Honda CR-V Hybrid, and 2025 Honda Civic and Civic Hybrid vehicles. The high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel. Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.

2026 Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra, also known as the Hyundai Avante, is a series of compact cars produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1990. In South Korea, the first-generation model was initially sold under the "Elantra" nameplate, but starting from the second-generation, Korean models were sold under the "Avante" nameplate, with the "Elantra" name continue to be used on export models.

Powertrain: Safety The 2026 Hyundai Elantra was named an IIHS Top Safety Pick. It received Good ratings in small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front, updated side, headlights and pedestrian front crash prevention evaluations, while seat belt reminders and LATCH ease of use were rated Acceptable.

Source: Hyundai Elantra (Wikipedia)

Safety. The fifth-generation Avante debuted at the 2010 Busan International Motor Show in April 2010. It was codenamed "MD" for the sedan, "UD" for sedans manufactured in the US, and "JK" for the coupe. For the U.S. and Canadian market, it featured a new 1.8-L petrol engine.

Motorsport. Also called the Avante N1 Cup in South Korea, the N1 Cup is an improved Elantra N model for Hyundai's one-make series, Hyundai N Festival. The N1 Cup features 35 more hp, a wider body kit, six piston front brake calipers, one-way adjustable suspension and a swan-neck style rear wing spoiler compared to the Elantra N version.

NHTSA rated the 2025 Hyundai Elantra overall 5 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 5 of 5 stars.

Recent recalls (2 campaigns across the latest model years)

April 2026, Air Bags:Sensor:Side Impact. Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2025 Elantra N, 2026 Tucson, Tucson Hybrid, Tucson Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), and Elantra vehicles. The B-pillar impact sensors may have been misassembled, which can delay air bag deployment. Consequence: Air bags that do not deploy as intended increase the risk of injury in a crash.
May 2024, Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve). Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2024 Elantra, Venue, and Kona vehicles. An electrical short circuit may occur in the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve assembly, which can result in a loss of drive power. Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Hyundai Elantra, most often about unknown or other (5), lane departure (5), forward collision avoidance (4).

Open both dossiers

Resolve the exact engine, drive and EPA ID.

01 · 2026Honda Accord4 configurations →02 · 2026Hyundai Elantra7 configurations →

Comparison answer desk

13 answers for this exact pairing.

Q01Which is more efficient: the 2026 Honda Accord or the 2026 Hyundai Elantra?

Efficiency

The 2026 Honda Accord lists the higher combined-efficiency midpoint in this snapshot (39.5 vs. the 2026 Hyundai Elantra's 38.5 MPG/MPGe).