2019 Toyota Prius vs 2020 Honda Accord

When it came to the 2019 Toyota Prius, few people found themselves marveling at its aesthetics. Rarely did anyone gaze upon it and exclaim, "Now that's a good-looking car!" However, its unique styling did manage to capture attention. When the second-generation Prius was introduced in 2004, its distinctive boomerang-shaped profile and split rear glass hatchback made it an icon among early hybrid adopters who sought a vehicle that made a statement.

By 2019, the hybrid landscape had shifted, making such an extroverted design somewhat pendulous for a vehicle that aims to serve as a simple daily driver. Despite styling that might not appeal to everyone, the Prius offered practicality and eco-friendliness in trims ranging from the L Eco starting at $23,770 to the Limited at $32,200. The optional AWD-e system, adding $1,400 for the LE trim and $1,000 for the XLE trim, was a notable addition for 2019. The XLE AWD model, painted in the striking Electric Storm Blue, held a price tag of $32,146 after a suite of advanced technological upgrades.

Inside, the Prius embraced an unconventional approach with centralized controls, a digital instrumentation strip beneath the windshield, and a center-console stack that housed the infotainment system, climate controls, and a joystick-style gear selector. Although unusual, the interior was functional, albeit with gloss black interior trim that acted as a dust magnet.

Conversely, the 2020 Honda Accord was hailed as one of the most stylish Accords in history, even though its front styling and rounded roofline were not universally loved. With trim levels such as LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and the top-of-the-line Touring, the Accord embraced an upscale fastback appearance devoid of mainstream family sedan associations. Especially eye-catching were the 19-inch wheels that adorned the Sport and Touring trims, enhancing the vehicle's visual presence. Our test vehicle, a Touring model priced at $37,355, shone in Radiant Red with an Ivory interior exhibiting contrasting black dashboard and carpets for a luxurious atmosphere. High-quality materials like soft-touch points and matte-finish simulated wood reinforced the perception of luxury.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor to deliver 121 horsepower. For those opting for the AWD-e system, an additional 5-kilowatt rear electric motor was included, swapping the standard lithium-ion battery for a nickel-metal hydride one. This setup enabled rear-wheel power up to 6 MPH and provided additional traction up to 43 MPH before reverting to a front-wheel-drive configuration, which affected the vehicle’s fuel economy. Standard front-drive Prius models achieved 52 MPG in combined driving, while AWD-e variants dipped to 50 MPG, with an observed 48.6 MPG during testing.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) handled power distribution to the front wheels, a configuration that took some acclimation but ultimately functioned well. The new global architecture upon which the Prius was built aimed for enjoyable driving dynamics, which manifested in its good ride quality and decent handling. Despite a notable drone during uphill drives in Power mode, the Prius’s driving experience was mostly pleasant, especially on twisty roads where it offered a smooth, quiet ride, thanks to its aerodynamic design and modest tires.

In comparison, the standard engine in the 2020 Honda Accord was a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a CVT, managed adequate performance while providing excellent fuel economy with the Accord Hybrid’s 212-horsepower powertrain averaging 42.6 MPG. Speed enthusiasts preferred the turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, which delivered a robust 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission and optional manual gearbox in the Sport trim.

Driving the Accord was exhilarating; the adaptive dampers and sticky 19-inch tires of the Touring trim ensured excellent control and minimal body roll. The ride was compliant yet required caution over speed humps. Steering was accurate, and while the brakes occasionally grumbled under intense use, they generally performed well.

Inside, the 2019 Toyota Prius could comfortably seat four adults with surprising roominess. The driver’s seat offered manual height adjustment, heated seats, and a heated steering wheel, while rear passengers enjoyed decent legroom and thigh support despite the absence of air conditioning vents.

The trunk capacity of the Prius was impressive, offering 27.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats in most trims, reducing to 24.2 cubic feet in higher trims with the AWD-e system. Folding the seats could expand the cargo space to a maximum of 65.5 cubic feet (62.7 with AWD-e), rivalling many small crossovers.

The 2020 Honda Accord excelled in this category, boasting full-size car dimensions. Its 12-way power driver’s seat, heated and ventilated, highlighted the vehicle's comfort. Unlike the Prius, the Accord’s back seat was exceptionally accommodating, with easy entry and exit, ample cushion support, and climate control vents for rear passengers. Trunk capacity was also superior, offering 16.7 cubic feet of space, ideal for long trips.

Toyota reserved its most advanced infotainment system for the Limited trim of the 2019 Prius. This system featured a vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen, navigation, JBL audio, and more. However, the XLE AWD-e test vehicle was equipped with a simpler 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a CD player, which blended seamlessly into the interior. Notably absent were Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though wireless charging was available.

The 2020 Honda Accord, in contrast, offered an 8-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcuts, and clear graphics. This system, available in all trims but standard in higher ones, included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added features like HondaLink, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging, though it lacked natural voice recognition.

Safety was a priority for both vehicles. The 2019 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. LE trims and above added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. It received a 5-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.

Likewise, the 2020 Honda Accord featured Honda Sensing across all trims, offering similar safety technologies, plus standard features like traffic sign recognition. Higher trims included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Accord earned a 5-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick from IIHS.