Kia vs Hyundai: Sister Brands, Which Is Better?
Published November 13, 2026 · Last updated November 13, 2026
Kia vs Hyundai is a close call, because the two sit in one automotive group: Hyundai Motor Company is Kia's largest shareholder, with about 35% of its shares. Kia starts lower in 8 of the 12 model pairs we matched and is the only one of the two with a minivan. Hyundai answers with the cheapest new model in either lineup at $20,550, a small pickup, more 2026 IIHS awards and longer rust and roadside coverage. Plaza Kia and Plaza Hyundai are a few doors apart on Nostrand Avenue, so you can drive both in one afternoon.
Kia or Hyundai: Which Brand Fits You?
- Choose the Kia if you want the lower sticker in most segments (Sorento from $32,590, $2,710 under the Santa Fe), a minivan in the Carnival, or a 3-row EV for less: the EV9 starts $4,055 below the IONIQ 9.
- Choose the Hyundai if you want the lowest entry price (2026 Venue, $20,550), a hybrid sedan such as the Elantra Hybrid or Sonata Hybrid, a Santa Cruz pickup, or roadside help with no mileage limit.
- Choose either if the long powertrain warranty is what sold you: both give the original owner 10 years or 100,000 miles, on top of 5 years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage.
How the two brands are related: Kia's investor relations page lists Hyundai Motor Company as its largest shareholder, with 35.17% of Kia Corporation at the end of 2025. The spec sheets show the overlap. The Sportage Hybrid and Tucson Hybrid use the same size of 1.6L turbo-hybrid engine (232 hp by Kia's rating, 231 hp by Hyundai's), and the Telluride Hybrid and Palisade Hybrid each make 329 hp from a 2.5L turbo hybrid. Pricing, trims, body styles and showrooms stay separate. For the biggest pair, read Plaza's 2027 Telluride trims and pricing guide and the 2027 Palisade guide for NYC families.


Kia vs Hyundai at a Glance: How Do the Two Brands Compare?
| Category | Kia | Hyundai | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest new model | 2027 K4, $22,390 | 2026 Venue, $20,550 | Hyundai |
| Cheapest 3-row SUV | 2027 Sorento, $32,590 | 2027 Santa Fe, $35,300 | Kia |
| Flagship 3-row SUV | 2027 Telluride, $39,190 | 2027 Palisade, $39,735 | Kia |
| Hybrids and plug-in hybrids | 7 models | 6 models | Kia |
| Electric vehicles | 4 models | 5 models | Hyundai |
| Minivan | 2027 Carnival, from $37,490 | Not offered | Kia |
| Pickup | Not offered | 2027 Santa Cruz, from $30,300 | Hyundai |
| Basic warranty | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | Even |
| Powertrain warranty | 10 yr / 100,000 mi, original owner | 10 yr / 100,000 mi, original owner | Even |
| Roadside assistance | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 5 yr / unlimited miles | Hyundai |
| Anti-perforation (rust) | 5 yr / 100,000 mi | 7 yr / unlimited miles | Hyundai |
| IIHS 2026 awards | 5 models, all TOP SAFETY PICK+ | 8 models, 7 TOP SAFETY PICK+ | Hyundai (count) |
Get a Kia and a Hyundai Quoted Side by Side
Tell us the segment you are shopping, gas, hybrid or electric, and how to reach you. Plaza Kia and Plaza Hyundai will each pull matching vehicles from their lots, price them with current manufacturer offers, and hold back-to-back test-drive times, usually within one business day.
Are Honda and Hyundai Related?
No. Honda is a Japanese automaker and Hyundai a South Korean one, with no shared owner, engines or platforms. On Nostrand Avenue they are separate showrooms run by the same Plaza Auto Mall family.
Which Honda Matches Which Hyundai?
Nine pairs line up. Model years differ in some, so each price shows its year.
| Segment | Honda | Hyundai | Lower price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compact sedan | 2027 Civic Sedan, $24,995 | 2026 Elantra, $22,825 | Hyundai by $2,170 |
| Compact hybrid sedan | 2027 Civic Sedan Hybrid, $29,695 | 2026 Elantra Hybrid, $25,650 | Hyundai by $4,045 |
| Midsize sedan | 2026 Accord, $28,395 | 2027 Sonata, $27,600 | Hyundai by $795 |
| Midsize hybrid sedan | 2026 Accord Hybrid, $33,795 | 2027 Sonata Hybrid, $29,450 | Hyundai by $4,345 |
| Subcompact SUV | 2027 HR-V, $26,600 | 2027 Kona, $25,500 | Hyundai by $1,100 |
| Compact SUV | 2027 CR-V, $31,520 | 2026 Tucson, $29,700 | Hyundai by $1,820 |
| Compact hybrid SUV | 2027 CR-V Hybrid, $36,030 | 2026 Tucson Hybrid, $31,300 | Hyundai by $4,730 |
| 3-row SUV | 2026 Pilot, $42,395 | 2027 Palisade, $39,735 | Hyundai by $2,660 |
| Electric SUV | 2026 Prologue, $39,900 | 2027 IONIQ 5, $35,250 | Hyundai by $4,650 |
The CR-V and Tucson, pictured below, are the closest rivals of the nine; our CR-V vs Tucson buyer's guide goes trim by trim.


Which Brand Is Cheaper, Honda or Hyundai?
Hyundai, in every pair. The gap is smallest on gas sedans ($795 between the Accord and Sonata) and widest on hybrids, where the Tucson Hybrid starts $4,730 under the CR-V Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid $4,345 under the Accord Hybrid. Hyundai also has the cheapest new model in either showroom, the 2026 Venue at $20,550. All prices exclude destination, which each maker sets per model.
The Honda answer is in what the price buys: more body styles, the TrailSport and Type R, and a stronger compact hybrid SUV. The EPA rates the front-drive 2027 CR-V Hybrid at 40 mpg combined against 38 for the front-drive Tucson Hybrid. In hybrid sedans Hyundai leads: 54 mpg combined for the 2026 Elantra Hybrid Blue (50 on other trims) against 49 for the 2027 Civic Sedan Hybrid, and 51 for the Sonata Hybrid Blue against 48 for the Accord Hybrid. Compare Plaza Honda specials with Plaza Hyundai specials, get an offer on your trade-in, or get pre-approved before you visit.
What Does Each Brand Sell That the Other Doesn't?
Honda has the longer list of body styles. It is the only one of the two with a minivan, the 2027 Odyssey from $43,195, covered in Plaza's Odyssey trim-by-trim guide. It sells the Civic as a sedan or a hatchback (2027 Civic Hatchback from $28,195; see Civic sedan vs hatchback), plus the 2026 Civic Si ($31,495), the 2027 Civic Type R ($48,695) and the 2027 Prelude Hybrid coupe ($42,400), which our Prelude vs Civic article sizes up. The 2027 Passport ($45,195) is a 2-row midsize SUV with no Hyundai match.
Hyundai answers with the 2026 Venue, the smaller 3-row 2027 Santa Fe ($35,300), a plug-in Tucson, the Elantra N and four more EVs. Both sell a pickup: the 2026 Ridgeline ($40,795) and the 2027 Santa Cruz ($30,300).


Which Brand Has More Hybrids and EVs?
Hyundai has more of both, by one hybrid and four EVs. Each hybrid, plug-in hybrid and performance EV counts as its own model, and each model is counted once, in the newest model year its maker lists.
- Hybrids, Honda 5: Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Accord, CR-V and Prelude.
- Hybrids, Hyundai 6: Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Tucson Plug-in, Santa Fe and Palisade.
- EVs, Honda 1: the 2026 Prologue, with a 308-mile EPA range rating as Honda lists it.
- EVs, Hyundai 5: Kona Electric and IONIQ 6 (newest listed year: 2025), IONIQ 5, IONIQ 9 and IONIQ 5 N.
Honda's hybrids sit in its core models, the Civic, Accord and CR-V. Plaza's 2027 CR-V Hybrid guide and the 2027 Tucson and Tucson Hybrid preview cover the compact pair, and the IONIQ 5, 6 and 9 trims comparison sorts Hyundai's EVs. Browse hybrids and electric vehicles in stock.


Which Brand Has the Better Warranty?
Hyundai, clearly. Per Honda's 2026 warranty booklet and hyundaiusa.com:
| Coverage | Honda | Hyundai | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| New vehicle (basic) | 3 yr / 36,000 mi | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | Hyundai |
| Powertrain | 5 yr / 60,000 mi | 10 yr / 100,000 mi for the original owner; 5 yr / 60,000 mi for later owners | Hyundai (first owner) |
| Hybrid battery | 8 yr / 100,000 mi (10 yr / 150,000 mi in California) | 10 yr / 100,000 mi | Hyundai |
| Rust-through | 5 yr / unlimited miles | 7 yr / unlimited miles | Hyundai |
The gap narrows for a second owner: Hyundai's 10-year powertrain term covers the original owner only, and later owners get 5 years or 60,000 miles, the same length as Honda's powertrain warranty. On hybrid batteries, Honda's hybrid page lists 8 years or 100,000 miles, against Hyundai's 10 years or 100,000. Plaza's Hyundai warranty coverage guide explains each Hyundai term.
Which Brand Is Safer, Honda or Hyundai?
Hyundai has more models on the 2026 IIHS list (8 vs 4) and more Plus awards (7 vs 2). Honda's two Plus winners are the HR-V, which matches the Kona, and the Passport, in a segment Hyundai does not enter.
| Segment | Honda | Hyundai |
|---|---|---|
| Compact car | Civic hatchback: TSP; Civic sedan: no 2026 award | Elantra: TSP |
| Midsize sedan | Accord: TSP | Sonata: TSP+ |
| Subcompact SUV | HR-V: TSP+ | Kona: TSP+ |
| Compact SUV | CR-V: no 2026 award | Tucson: TSP+ |
| 3-row SUV | Pilot: no 2026 award | Palisade, built after November 2025: TSP+; Santa Fe: TSP+ |
| Midsize 2-row SUV | Passport: TSP+ | No model |
| Electric SUV | Prologue: no 2026 award | 2026 IONIQ 5: TSP+; 2027 IONIQ 5: TSP; IONIQ 9: TSP+ |


Which Brand Has Fewer Recalls?
Honda, so far for 2026. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the six 2026 Honda models matched here, a rear subframe bolt campaign that covers the Pilot, against 17 model listings across the six matching 2026 Hyundai models: Elantra 3, Sonata 1, Kona 3, Tucson 5, Palisade 3 and IONIQ 5 2. One Hyundai campaign appears under several of those models. Recalls are fixed free, and counts change as a model year ages (checked November 13, 2026). Neither maker publishes a reliability score.
Which Honda and Hyundai Pair Should You Compare?
City commuters should test the Civic Sedan Hybrid against the Elantra Hybrid; families of four, the CR-V Hybrid against the Tucson Hybrid. For a third row, drive the Pilot and the Palisade back to back, using our Palisade vs Pilot comparison for seating and cargo. If a third row is a daily need rather than an occasional one, add the Odyssey to that drive.
Honda and Hyundai in Stock at Plaza Auto Mall
The inventory below is in stock now at both stores. Call Plaza Honda at (855) 528-6785 or Plaza Hyundai at (800) 556-2369 to reserve test drives, get directions to Plaza Honda, or see the areas Plaza Hyundai serves. Both deliver free within 25 miles of Nostrand Avenue. Browse the full new Honda inventory or the new Hyundai inventory.
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $36,665 |
| KFA Dealer Choice Program | -$1,000 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $35,840 |
| MSRP | $39,080 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,755 |
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $34,365 |
| KFA Dealer Choice Program | -$1,000 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $33,540 |
| MSRP | $41,205 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $39,880 |
| MSRP | $36,600 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $35,275 |
| MSRP | $35,585 |
| KFA Dealer Choice Program | -$1,000 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $34,760 |
| MSRP | $38,850 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,525 |
| MSRP | $39,305 |
| No Hassle discount | -$1,500 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,980 |
| MSRP | $37,345 |
| Doc fee | $175 |
| Plaza price | $37,520 |
Honda or Hyundai: Which Should You Buy?
More mpg than its rival
40 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, 2 more than the Tucson Hybrid, from $36,030 and with no 2026 recalls so far. The Tucson Hybrid costs $4,730 less.
The only minivan here
From $43,195, with sliding doors for tight Brooklyn parking. Hyundai sells no minivan, so its answer is a 3-row SUV.
The lowest price in either showroom
$20,550, or $4,445 below the Civic Sedan. The trade-off: the smallest SUV here, with no 2026 IIHS award.
Lower price, longer coverage
$39,735, which is $2,660 below the Pilot, with a TOP SAFETY PICK+ when built after November 2025 and 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
Honda vs Hyundai Scorecard
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Body styles | Honda | Minivan, hatchback, coupe and 2-row midsize SUV |
| NHTSA recalls, 2026 models | Honda | 1 vs 17 across six matched models each |
| Hybrid mpg (compact SUV, FWD) | Honda | CR-V Hybrid 40 vs Tucson Hybrid 38 mpg combined |
| Hybrid mpg (sedans) | Hyundai | Elantra Hybrid Blue 54 vs Civic 49; Sonata Hybrid Blue 51 vs Accord 48 |
| Entry price | Hyundai | 2026 Venue $20,550 vs 2027 Civic Sedan $24,995 |
| Matched-pair pricing | Hyundai | Lower in 9 of 9 pairs |
| Hybrids | Hyundai | 6 vs 5 models |
| EVs | Hyundai | 5 vs 1 model |
| Basic and powertrain warranty | Hyundai | 5 yr/60,000 and 10 yr/100,000 mi vs 3 yr/36,000 and 5 yr/60,000 mi |
| Rust coverage | Hyundai | 7 vs 5 years, unlimited miles |
| IIHS 2026 awards | Hyundai | 8 models vs 4; 7 Plus awards vs 2 |
| Overall for NYC drivers | Depends on the job | Honda for body styles, a minivan, sporty models and fewer recalls; Hyundai for price, warranty, hybrid sedans and EVs |
Still deciding? Narrow it to one pair: CR-V vs Tucson for Brooklyn buyers, Palisade vs Pilot for NYC families and Palisade vs Odyssey: 3-row SUV or minivan.
Pick your brand and skip the trip home. Buy from Plaza Honda or Plaza Hyundai and we deliver free within 25 miles of Nostrand Avenue, from Manhattan to Hempstead.
Arrange Free DeliveryHonda vs Hyundai: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Honda and Hyundai the same company?
No. Honda is Japanese and Hyundai is South Korean, with no shared owner, engines or platforms. Plaza Honda and Plaza Hyundai are separate stores a short walk apart on Nostrand Avenue.
Is Hyundai cheaper than Honda?
Yes, model for model. Hyundai starts lower in all nine pairs we matched, from $795 (Sonata vs Accord) to $4,730 (Tucson Hybrid vs CR-V Hybrid), and its 2026 Venue at $20,550 is the cheapest new model of either brand.
Which has the better warranty, Honda or Hyundai?
Hyundai's is longer. Hyundai gives 5 years or 60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain for the original owner (5 years or 60,000 miles for later owners); Honda gives 3 years or 36,000 miles and 5 years or 60,000 miles. Neither maker publishes a reliability score; NHTSA lists fewer 2026 recalls for the Honda models compared here.
Which brand has more hybrids?
Hyundai, with 6 hybrid and plug-in hybrid models to Honda's 5, and its hybrid sedans post the higher EPA ratings (Elantra Hybrid Blue 54 mpg combined). Honda's CR-V Hybrid leads the compact SUV pair at 40 mpg combined with front-wheel drive, and Honda adds a hybrid Civic Hatchback and the Prelude Hybrid.
Which brand is safer, Honda or Hyundai?
Hyundai has more 2026 IIHS awards: 8 models, 7 of them TOP SAFETY PICK+, against Honda's 4 models and 2 Plus awards. The Honda HR-V and Hyundai Kona both earned TOP SAFETY PICK+, and the Honda Passport earned one in a segment Hyundai does not offer.
Which Honda and Hyundai models compete with each other?
Civic and Elantra, Accord and Sonata, HR-V and Kona, CR-V and Tucson, Pilot and Palisade, and the Prologue and IONIQ 5 EVs. Hybrid versions line up too: Civic, Accord and CR-V hybrids against Elantra, Sonata and Tucson hybrids.
Sources: automobiles.honda.com vehicle lineup, MSRP footnotes and hybrid page; Honda 2026 warranty booklet; NHTSA recall records; hyundaiusa.com lineup, compare-specs and America's Best Warranty pages; EPA ratings on fueleconomy.gov; IIHS 2026 TOP SAFETY PICK awards. All checked November 13, 2026.
*MSRP excludes destination (set per model by each maker), taxes, title, registration and dealer fees. Model years differ in some pairs and are shown with each price. Figures as of November 13, 2026. EPA and manufacturer mpg ratings are for comparison; actual mileage will vary. Confirm pricing and availability with the dealer.










