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Honda Accord vs Hyundai Sonata: fuel economy and fuel cost

In model year 2026 the Hyundai Sonata is the cheaper of the two to fuel: about $1,290 a year for its lowest-cost configuration (Sonata Hybrid Blue, 51 MPG combined), against $1,360 for the Honda Accord (Accord Hybrid, 48 MPG combined). That is $70 a year, or $350 over five years.

A frequently cross-shopped pair of rivals. Costs assume 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel and electricity prices for both vehicles, using the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Each figure is rounded to $10 and every difference is calculated from the rounded values.

The EPA is still publishing model year 2027 ratings, so this page compares model year 2026, the latest complete year.

Illustration: Midsize cars
  • Hybrid
  • Midsize cars

Honda Accord

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Accord Hybrid

48 MPG
Combined
51 MPG
City
44 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,360

$9.07 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

4 configurations in MY2026

Illustration: Large cars
  • Hybrid
  • Large cars

Hyundai Sonata

Lowest fuel cost configuration

Sonata Hybrid Blue

51 MPG
Combined
47 MPG
City
56 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost
$1,290

$8.60 per 100 miles

15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

6 configurations in MY2026

What the fuel costs

Annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration

  • Honda Accord$1,360 a year · $9.07 per 100 mi
  • Hyundai Sonata$1,290 a year · $8.60 per 100 mi

Difference per year

$70

Hyundai Sonata costs less to fuel

Over 5 years

$350

$70 a year × 5, 15,000 mi/yr, same fuel prices

Head to head, MY2026

Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata compared on their lowest fuel cost configuration
Measure Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata
Lowest-cost configuration Accord HybridSonata Hybrid Blue
Powertrain HybridHybrid
Combined rating 48 MPG51 MPG (better)
City rating 51 MPG (better)47 MPG
Highway rating 44 MPG56 MPG (better)
Annual fuel cost $1,360/yr$1,290/yr (better)
Cost per 100 miles $9.07$8.60 (better)
Annual cost range, all configurations $1,360–$2,080$1,290–$2,450
Configurations in MY2026 46
EPA class Midsize carsLarge cars

Best configuration by powertrain

Lowest-cost configuration of each powertrain, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata
Powertrain Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata
Gas 32 MPG · $2,040/yr Accord 32 MPG · $2,060/yr Sonata w/Stop-Start
Hybrid 48 MPG · $1,360/yr Accord Hybrid 51 MPG · $1,290/yr Sonata Hybrid Blue

Each cell shows the combined rating and the annual fuel cost of the lowest-cost configuration with that powertrain.

Where each one comes out ahead

Generated from the numbers above, comparing the lowest fuel cost configurations. No subjective judgements.

Honda Accord

  • Higher city rating: 51 MPG vs 47 MPG
  • Lower annual cost for the best gas configuration: $2,040 vs $2,060

Hyundai Sonata

  • Lower annual fuel cost: $1,290 vs $1,360
  • Higher combined rating: 51 MPG vs 48 MPG
  • Higher highway rating: 56 MPG vs 44 MPG

Year by year

Combined rating and annual fuel cost by model year, Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata
Model year Honda Accord Hyundai Sonata
CombinedPer yearCombinedPer year
2026 31–48 MPG $1,360–$2,080 27–51 MPG $1,290–$2,450
2025 32–48 MPG $1,360–$2,040 27–47 MPG $1,380–$2,450
2024 32–48 MPG $1,360–$2,040 27–47 MPG $1,380–$2,450
2023 32–48 MPG $1,360–$2,040 27–52 MPG $1,260–$2,440
2022 26–47 MPG $1,380–$2,520 27–52 MPG $1,260–$2,440
2021 26–48 MPG $1,360–$2,520 27–52 MPG $1,260–$2,440
2020 26–48 MPG $1,370–$2,540 31–52 MPG $1,260–$2,140
2019 26–48 MPG $1,350–$2,540 26–42 MPG $1,250–$2,510
2018 26–47 MPG $1,380–$2,540 26–42 MPG $1,250–$2,510
2017 21–48 MPG $1,370–$3,040 24–42 MPG $1,270–$2,670
2016 21–30 MPG $2,160–$3,040 24–41 MPG $1,250–$2,670
2015 21–47 MPG $1,400–$3,040 24–37 MPG $1,780–$2,670
2014 21–47 MPG $1,210–$3,040 24–37 MPG $1,780–$2,680
2013 21–30 MPG $2,200–$3,040 26–37 MPG $1,780–$2,510
2012 21–27 MPG $2,450–$3,180 26–36 MPG $1,810–$2,510
2011 21–26 MPG $2,470–$3,180 26–36 MPG $1,810–$2,540
2010 20–25 MPG $2,610–$3,270 22–25 MPG $2,610–$2,970
2009 20–25 MPG $2,610–$3,270 22–25 MPG $2,610–$2,970
2008 20–25 MPG $2,610–$3,270 22–25 MPG $2,610–$2,970
2007 21–27 MPG $2,420–$3,110 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110
2006 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,110 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110
2005 21–28 MPG $2,330–$3,110 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2004 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,110 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2003 21–26 MPG $2,510–$3,110 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2002 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 20–23 MPG $2,840–$3,270
2001 21–25 MPG $2,610–$3,110 20–22 MPG $2,970–$3,270
2000 21–24 MPG $2,720–$3,110 20–22 MPG $2,970–$3,270

Earlier model years are costed with today's fuel prices, so the table shows how each model's efficiency changed, not what fuel cost at the time. Ranges cover every configuration of that model year.

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper to fuel, the Honda Accord or the Hyundai Sonata?

The Hyundai Sonata is cheaper: about $1,290 a year against $1,360 for the Honda Accord, a difference of $70 a year. That compares the lowest-cost configuration of each in model year 2026 at 15,000 miles a year with the same fuel prices.

How much would the Hyundai Sonata save over five years?

About $350 ($70 a year for five years), assuming 15,000 miles a year and the same fuel prices. Your total depends on how much you drive and on local prices; see fuel cost by state.

Which has the better fuel economy rating, the Honda Accord or the Hyundai Sonata?

The Hyundai Sonata is rated 51 MPG combined against 48 MPG for the Honda Accord. City: 51 MPG vs 47 MPG. Highway: 44 MPG vs 56 MPG. These are the EPA ratings of each model's lowest-cost configuration.

How is the annual fuel cost calculated?

Distance of 15,000 miles a year at the EPA combined rating (55% city, 45% highway). Gasoline is priced at $4.36/gal (EIA U.S. average for regular, Sep 2026) and electricity at 18.3¢/kWh (EIA U.S. residential average, Jul 2026); premium and diesel configurations use their own EIA prices. Each result is rounded to $10, and differences are calculated from the rounded figures.

Are the Honda Accord and the Hyundai Sonata in the same class?

The EPA classes the Honda Accord as Midsize cars and the Hyundai Sonata as Large cars, so they are listed as rivals.

Explore these cars

More comparisons

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. avg, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal); residential electricity, U.S. avg, Jul 2026 (18.3¢/kWh) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city, same prices for both vehicles