The Honda Accord has been Edmunds’ top-rated midsize sedan since this latest generation launched for the 2018 model year. But a new challenger has arrived on the scene: the redesigned 2020 Hyundai Sonata.

The previous Sonata exhibited a quiet competence in most fields, though it played it safe in the styling department. The 2020 Sonata, in contrast, has a sleek and bold new look. It also debuts several features that are rare for this class of car, including the ability to use your phone as a key.

Are the changes enough to dethrone the reigning champion? Edmunds’ team of expert reviewers compare the 2020 Accord and the 2020 Sonata to determine a winner.

INTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS

One of the primary reasons to buy a midsize sedan instead of a small sedan such as the Honda Civic or Hyundai Elantra is increased passenger room. Both the Accord and the Sonata feature abundant legroom in the front and back, allowing a 6-foot-tall passenger to sit behind a similarly sized driver without issue.

There are minor differences, however. The Accord’s tapered roofline reduces headroom in the back relative to the Sonata, and taller rear occupants might feel the pinch. The driver’s footwell is also a little tight, and some might rub their knees against the hard plastic of the center tunnel.

The Sonata offers more headroom than the Accord in both rows, even in models equipped with a panoramic sunroof. And unlike the Accord, our drivers had no problem fitting in the Sonata.

Winner: Sonata

COMFORT AND REFINEMENT

The Accord does a nice job of keeping you comfortable on the road. Its suspension ably filters out large bumps and cracks in the pavement, and the front seats are supportive for long drives. It’s also well insulated against traffic noise.

The Sonata’s seats are less comfortable and offer fewer adjustments. It also has a firmer ride, and you’ll feel more road imperfections than in the Accord. Exterior noise is more intrusive in the Sonata, too; a driver might have to raise his or her voice to converse with rear-seat passengers on the highway.

Winner: Accord

INFOTAINMENT AND DRIVING AIDS

The 2020 Sonata’s system features a logical on-screen menus and large virtual buttons that don’t require much attention to operate accurately. We also like that the Sonata’s advanced safety systems — such as traffic-adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist — work well on the road and are available on the majority of trim levels.

The Accord’s driver aids also work well, though the forward collision warning system can sometimes be overly sensitive and issue warnings when they’re not really warranted. Its infotainment system is trickier to use, too. The layout is more cluttered, the on-screen buttons are too small, and the menu structure is confusing.