What Is The Biggest Difference Between The Honda & Hyundai Car Brand?

The Hyundai and Honda car brands are vastly different companies. However both represent quality and have their following, but both have completely different backstories and got to where they are in different ways.

Today, both brands are popular in the car market and have some of the most highly sought-after cars in the market. But do they have the same market reputation? Especially in the case of reliability and performance.

How Do the Honda and Hyundai Car Brand Reputations Compare

While Honda still has a reputation as an engineering company that also builds quality vehicles, Hyundai has a different reputation. It has been exceeding the competition when it comes to features, style, and quality of interiors and tech. Honda has been behind in offering hybrid versions of its cars and has been slow to capitalize on being one of the early electric vehicle producers. It began manufacturing the EV Plus in 1997. 

Meanwhile, Honda introduced a higher-level or premium brand with Acura in 1986. But the Acura line has needed help to define itself in the crowded segment. Hyundai has only recently followed suit with the Genesis premium line. The 2021 Genesis GV80 three-row SUV, which came out in 2020, has catapulted over the competition in every aspect, from price to quality and features. It got everyone’s attention looking for a new SUV. 

Honda and Hyundai Car Brands Have Different Models for Almost Every Segment

Honda has established some of the best-selling segments, including small SUVs, with its CR-V selling almost 400,000 in 2019. The Honda Accord sold close to 300,000 a year and is a car buyer’s favourite. The larger Honda pilot sold over 135,000 in 2019 as well.

Hyundai is slowly trying to conquer every segment one by one. The midsize Hyundai Elantra sedan has established itself as a force in that segment. The Hyundai Sonata full-size sedan compares to other luxury sedans in this class, some of which have been doing this for decades. And the mid-size Hyundai Palisade SUV gets top marks from reviewers. 

There was a time when recommending a Hyundai product was a compromised proposition, but today it leads in many segments across the board. As for Honda, it has been resting on its longstanding reputation for engineering and quality. Recently it has come out of its comfort zone to begin offering segment-leading models. Acura is showing new life after years of products that never stood out.

One Car Brand Offers More Warranty 

As for warranties, most Honda buyers know its quality reputation, so it is not as much of a factor. But in nearly every case, Hyundai still leads with a 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, twice the Limited Vehicle warranty of 5 years or 60,000 miles, and 5-year unlimited roadside assistance and lifetime hybrid battery warranty that Honda does not. 

So, most Honda buyers are not swayed by Hyundai’s better warranties. But as Hyundai is a lesser-known manufacturer, it stakes its reputation on leading with extended warranties that beat the competition. 

Conclusion

However, the best suggestion when comparing the two companies is to look at reviews, study the forums to see what’s happening with vehicles in the field, and then compare both before you buy. Each company sells a slightly different product based on a different price point. Base models won’t impress as much as loaded vehicles, so compare apples to apples between the two companies when you can. 

Once you have narrowed your choice, test drive your choice to ensure the feel, handling, road noise, performance, and features suit your tastes and your budget.