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A lot of car shoppers may be interested in buying a new car, but with new car prices being so high, it’s probably a smarter decision to shop for used cars instead. Two great used car options that shoppers may want to consider include the 2016 Hyundai Sonata and the 2016 Honda Accord. It’s a tough choice between the two, but there are three ways that the 2016 Hyundai Sonata is better than the 2016 Honda Accord.

The three ways that the 2016 Hyundai Sonata is the better used car

U.S. News reviewed both the Hyundai Sonata and the Honda Accord, and the Sonata has several advantages overall. One of the more critical areas where the Sonata comes out on top is its ownership costs. The car critic estimated that the Sonata has average ownership costs for a midsize sedan. Owners can expect to pay about $4,300 annually for gas, maintenance, insurance, etc. Over five years that adds up to about $21,300.

In comparison, the Accord has above-average ownership costs for a midsize sedan. Owners can expect to pay about $23,100 over five years, which translates to about $4,600 annually. That’s a difference of $300 per year. Another difference between the two sedans is safety. Both cars have great safety ratings, but the 2016 Sonata comes out on top with its 9.8 out of 10 safety score. The Accord has a 9.5 out of 10, in comparison.

The last advantage that the Sonata has is in terms of its warranty. Warranties can still cover used cars, and the Hyundai Sonata has a far more generous warranty package. The 2016 Accord’s warranties have likely expired by 2023, while the 2016 Sonata’s powertrain warranty may still be valid for some used models.

A brief overview of the 2016 Hyundai Sonata

The 2016 Hyundai Sonata, a major competitor to the 2016 Honda Accord, is still one of the best used sedan options you can buy right now.
The 2016 Hyundai Sonata | Raymond Boyd/Getty Images

Although the 2016 model year is fairly old by now, this version of the Hyundai Sonata had plenty of modern technology. In fact, this was the model year that the South Korean automaker gave the sedan a 7-inch touchscreen as standard as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The company also improved the car’s smart safety features by adding a brake assist function.

Overall, the Sonata is a decent sedan all-around. It starts with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, and it gets 185 hp. Hyundai offered two other engine options, including a fuel-efficient 178-hp powertrain and a sporty 245-hp engine. The standard engine is decently quick and has a fuel economy of about 31 mpg combined. Plus, the sedan is roomy in terms of cargo and seats. Its trunk has a capacity of 16.3 cu-ft, which is great for a midsize sedan.

What the 2016 Honda Accord offers

The Honda Accord is similar in that it’s a competent sedan all around. The horsepower output of the Accord’s standard engine is the same as the Sonata’s, but Honda gave the Accord an optional V6 which gets 278 hp. The Accord’s standard engine is slightly more efficient than the Sonata’s as it gets about 32 mpg combined. However, while the Accord also has a roomy interior, the Hyundai’s trunk is bigger as the Accord’s trunk measures at 15.8 cu-ft.

Honda did not offer a touchscreen as standard for the 2016 model year. The company offered an optional 7-inch touchscreen, but U.S. News thought it was clumsy to use. In comparison, the Sonata only has one glaring issue, which has to do with the narrow trunk opening. For those reasons and more, U.S. News said, “Stick with the Hyundai.” 

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