2020 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2019 Honda Civic

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still offered a unique upscale style with its gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. Its graceful silhouette was often compared to an Audi A7, with a long hood balancing a sizable cabin and short tail featuring distinctive wraparound LED lights. The Touring-trim test car boasted chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The introduction of a new Sport trim brought some of the exterior flair of the performance-oriented Si trim at a lower cost. The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, offered varied styles, while the max-attack Civic Type R was a separate, race-car-like model. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen, minimal buttons, and high-quality fit and finish, despite some hard plastic surfaces in the rear.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid maintained a subtle distinction from its non-hybrid counterparts, with only "Hybrid" badges and aerodynamic 17-inch aluminum wheels setting it apart. This approach avoided the odd design cues often seen in hybrid versions of mainstream vehicles, making it appealing to those who appreciated the standard Accord's design. The Accord Hybrid was available in four trim levels, with prices starting at $25,620. The Hybrid EX trim, recommended for its comprehensive driver-assistance and infotainment technologies, offered a 12-way power driver's seat, heated front seats, and heated side mirrors. The interior, especially with leather and simulated matte-finish wood trim, provided an upscale look and feel, though the floor mats were prone to collecting pet hair.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport sedans and coupes. A 6-speed manual transmission was standard on these models, with a CVT available as an option. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, paired exclusively with a CVT. The hatchback models came with the turbo engine across all trims, delivering 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport. The Si and Type R models offered more power, with the Si's 1.5-liter engine producing 205 hp and the Type R's 2.0-liter engine delivering 306 hp. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension were designed for sporty driving, providing a balance of comfort and performance.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, with its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and two-motor hybrid powertrain, delivered 212 combined horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. Despite a 200-pound weight penalty, the Accord Hybrid was speedy, achieving 60 mph quickly and offering responsive performance in Sport mode. The car's EPA estimate was 48 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing showed slightly lower figures. The Accord Hybrid's eCVT produced a noticeable drone under hard acceleration, but the car's overall performance was commendable. The added weight contributed to a road-hugging feel, though it occasionally affected the car's composure on undulating pavement. Honda's engineers tuned the Accord Hybrid for predictable ride motions, flat-cornering, and natural-feeling regenerative brakes, providing a satisfying driving experience.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability over previous models. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, offering quick access to various functions. The rear seat provided ample space, with optional heated outboard seats, though air vents were absent. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 15.1 cubic feet in the trunk, the coupe 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet, and the hatchback up to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The center console provided storage trays and a deep center storage bin. Visibility was good in all directions, especially in the sedan.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid offered a full-size interior and trunk, matching the standard Accord's appeal as a family sedan. The massive backseat provided exceptional thigh support, rear air-conditioning vents, and available USB charging ports. However, front-seat track travel was limited, potentially causing discomfort for taller drivers. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, though it offered decent thigh support. The seats were comfortable, with heating and ventilation available in Touring trim. Interior storage was generous, and the 16.7-cubic-foot trunk accommodated large items. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatback added utility, though a hatchback design would have been beneficial.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while good in 2016, was outclassed by newer Honda interfaces. The system was slower and less organized, though the Garmin-based navigation was a standout feature. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto improved connectivity, and the 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo offered improved sound quality. LaneWatch, available on certain trims, provided a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, with EX trim or higher, featured a Display Audio infotainment system with intuitive controls and clear graphics. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, and quick-charge USB ports. EX-L trim added a premium sound system, while Touring offered navigation, HD digital traffic data, a wireless smartphone charger, NFC technology, a WiFi hotspot, and expanded HondaLink services. HondaLink provided features like in-car delivery of Amazon packages, a Find My Car function, and smartphone remote locking. The voice-recognition technology could be improved, but the infotainment features integrated well with daily driving. Touring trim included a head-up display, visible even with polarized sunglasses.

The 2019 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing as standard on all trims except the Si and Type R. This suite included forward-collision alert, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash test.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid also featured Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and more. The system was smoother and more refined than previous versions. Additional safety features included automatic high-beam headlights, a multi-angle reversing camera, and SmartVent front side airbags. EX trim or higher added a blind-spot-warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord received top ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with Touring versions earning a Top Safety Pick designation.