2020 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius maintained its iconic aerodynamic shape, reminiscent of a jellybean, which had been a staple since its second generation. This design was primarily influenced by the need to achieve an optimal drag coefficient. Over the years, Toyota subtly evolved the Prius's styling to give it a more sedan-like appearance while retaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius's futuristic design remained contemporary, with its most distinctive feature being the centrally located instrumentation and gauges, a hallmark since its inception over two decades ago.

The Prius offered four trim levels: L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited. The base L Eco trim came with 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic climate control, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. As one moved up the trims, additional features such as synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen were added. The Limited trim, however, sacrificed Android Auto support for the larger screen. The Prius also celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special 2020 Edition, featuring unique dark exterior accents.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid was visually indistinguishable from its non-hybrid counterparts, save for the "Hybrid" badges and aerodynamic wheel designs. This approach avoided the unconventional design cues often seen in hybrid versions of mainstream vehicles, making it appealing to those who appreciated the standard Accord's aesthetics. The Accord Hybrid was available in four trims: Hybrid, Hybrid EX, Hybrid EX-L, and Hybrid Touring, with prices starting at $25,620. The hybrid powertrain was a $1,600 upgrade over the standard models, except for the Touring trim, where it was actually cheaper.

The recommended Hybrid EX trim offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance and infotainment technologies, along with heated front seats and side mirrors. The interior, especially with leather upholstery, exuded an upscale feel, complemented by simulated matte-finish wood trim. However, the floor mats were notorious for attracting pet hair. Despite this minor inconvenience, the Accord Hybrid's interior was spacious and comfortable, making it a practical choice for families.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive, with an all-wheel-drive variant, the Prius AWD-e, available. The AWD-e employed a second electric motor for the rear wheels, operational at speeds up to 43 mph. The Prius offered smooth acceleration, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power, thanks to Toyota's extensive hybrid experience.

Drivers could choose from three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power. EV mode relied solely on battery power, while Power mode provided quicker acceleration at the cost of increased engine noise. Eco mode balanced performance, efficiency, and quiet operation. The Prius's unique shifter design required some acclimatization, with a separate button for Park and an Engine Braking mode for downhill driving. Despite its focus on efficiency, the Prius offered engaging handling, a smooth ride, and a low center of gravity, making it well-suited for daily commutes.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid boasted an impressive EPA estimate of 48 mpg in combined driving. During testing, it achieved 42.6 mpg in default Economy mode and 44.1 mpg in city and suburban conditions. The hybrid powertrain, consisting of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, produced 212 combined horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. Despite a 200-pound weight penalty, the Accord Hybrid offered brisk acceleration, especially in Sport mode, though it was accompanied by a noticeable eCVT drone.

The Accord Hybrid's handling was characterized by predictable ride motions, flat-cornering, and responsive steering. However, on undulating roads, the car's composure was occasionally compromised. Nevertheless, the Accord Hybrid provided an engaging driving experience, with a deft blend of ride, handling, and road communication, making it a pleasure to drive under most conditions.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made efficient use of its compact platform, offering spacious and comfortable front seats with ample headroom and legroom. The rear seats also provided sufficient space, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering or exiting. The Prius excelled in cargo capacity, with 50.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded and up to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. Its hatchback design facilitated easy loading of large items, enhancing its versatility.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid retained the full-size interior and trunk space of the standard Accord, making it an attractive family sedan. The backseat offered exceptional thigh support, rear air-conditioning vents, and available USB charging ports. However, the front seats lacked height adjustment, which could be a drawback for taller passengers. The Accord Hybrid's trunk was notably spacious, with 16.7 cubic feet of cargo space, accommodating multiple suitcases and smaller items. The 60/40 split-folding rear seatback added to its utility, though a hatchback design would have been even more beneficial.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring a user-friendly menu layout, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and a WiFi hotspot. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable layout, though it lacked Android Auto support. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display, and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a signature Prius feature, displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical information, with menus accessible via the steering wheel.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid, starting with the EX trim, 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. The EX-L trim added a premium sound system, while the Touring trim 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, a stolen-vehicle locator, and remote locking and unlocking. The Touring trim also included a head-up display, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Prius was equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering features like automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick" accolade from the IIHS, though it fell short of the highest rating due to average scores in certain tests.

The 2020 Honda Accord Hybrid featured Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and traffic-sign-recognition technology. The system was refined for smoother operation, particularly in adaptive cruise control. The Accord Hybrid also had automatic high-beam headlights, a multi-angle reversing camera, and SmartVent front side airbags. It received top ratings from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.