2020 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2021 Honda Civic

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid was nearly indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts, save for the “Hybrid” badges and aerodynamic 17-inch aluminum wheels. This subtlety was a smart move by Honda, avoiding the odd design cues that often deter buyers from hybrid models. The Accord Hybrid maintained the same appealing look as the standard Accord, making it a visually attractive option for those who appreciated the Accord's design.

Available in four trims—Hybrid, Hybrid EX, Hybrid EX-L, and Hybrid Touring—the Accord Hybrid started at $25,620. The Hybrid EX, priced at $29,520, was recommended for its comprehensive driver-assistance and infotainment technologies, along with heated front seats and side mirrors. The interior, especially with leather and simulated matte-finish wood trim, offered an upscale feel. However, the floor mats were notably difficult to clean, particularly for pet owners.

The 2021 Honda Civic, known for its segment-defining models every decade, continued to impress with its 10th-generation design. Available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, the Civic sedan came in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. The test car, a Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic, was priced at $29,690. Despite its polarizing design, the Civic remained a familiar sight on the roads, with over a million units sold.

The Civic's interior, though less dramatic than when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing. The Touring trim's 18-inch wheels and appealing blue paint added to its visual appeal. However, the maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches showed its age, and the interior design, while adventurous, was starting to look dated.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, with its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and two-motor hybrid powertrain, delivered 212 combined horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. Despite a 200-pound weight penalty, it was quick enough to lead traffic from a stoplight. In default Economy mode, it achieved 42.6 mpg over a week of driving, with a city and suburban loop returning 44.1 mpg. Even with spirited driving in Sport mode, it averaged 41.2 mpg, significantly better than the standard 1.5-liter turbocharged engine's real-world performance.

The Accord Hybrid's handling was predictable and composed, with a flat-cornering attitude and natural-feeling regenerative brakes. However, on undulating roads, it could lose some composure, particularly over mid-curve whoops and dips. The eCVT drone during hard acceleration was a minor drawback, but the overall driving experience was engaging and enjoyable.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The latter, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, provided ample power and a satisfying driving experience. The sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and responsive steering made the Civic quick and composed, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels.

However, the CVT was a weak point, feeling sloppy and producing a droning noise. Despite paddle shifters and a Sport mode, the CVT's performance was frustrating. Nevertheless, the Civic's fuel economy was impressive, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile loop, surpassing the EPA estimate of 33 mpg in combined driving.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid offered a spacious interior and trunk, matching the standard Accord's family-friendly design. The massive backseat provided excellent 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, which could be inconvenient for some.

The Accord Hybrid's seats were comfortable, with front heating and ventilation and rear heating in the Touring trim. Interior storage was generous, and the 16.7-cubic-foot trunk was larger than most competitors, easily accommodating four full-size suitcases. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatback added versatility, though a hatchback design would have been even more practical.

The 2021 Honda Civic's low seating position made entry and exit a bit of a workout, but once inside, the seats were comfortable. The driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard from the EX-L trim upwards.

The Civic's interior was roomy, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with excellent rear-seat thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents was a drawback. The center console provided remarkable storage space, and the trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, in EX trim or higher, featured a robust Display Audio infotainment system with a user-friendly interface, clear graphics, and essential controls. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, basic HondaLink services, and quick-charge USB ports. The EX-L trim added a premium sound system, while the Touring trim included navigation, HD digital traffic data, a wireless smartphone charger, NFC technology, a WiFi hotspot, and expanded HondaLink services.

HondaLink offered in-car delivery of Amazon packages, a Find My Car function, a stolen-vehicle locator, and remote locking, unlocking, and engine starting. Safety features included automatic collision notification, emergency calling, enhanced roadside assistance, and alerts related to vehicle speed and geo-fenced boundaries. The Touring trim also featured a useful head-up display.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was showing its age. The LX trim offered a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, text-messaging support, basic HondaLink services, and a more powerful 1.5-amp USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system.

The Touring's voice recognition system was unsophisticated, requiring specific prompts. While the premium sound system was nice, the eight-speaker setup in lower trims was adequate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were essential for their familiar interface and navigation capabilities.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, traffic-sign recognition, and road-departure mitigation. Additional safety features included automatic high-beam headlights, a multi-angle reversing camera, and SmartVent front side airbags. EX trim and higher added a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert.

The Accord Hybrid received top safety ratings from the IIHS, with the Touring trim earning a Top Safety Pick designation. The NHTSA awarded the Accord Hybrid 5-star crash-test ratings across the board.

The 2021 Honda Civic also came standard with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. Additional safety features included automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera.

The Civic offered LaneWatch starting with EX trim, using a camera to monitor the right lane. However, this system had limitations, including susceptibility to damage and the need to reference both the infotainment system and side mirror. The Civic lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning system but had a 180-degree reversing camera view.

The 2021 Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings in every assessment from the NHTSA.