2022 Audi A4 vs 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in standard, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $26,370 to $36,240. The hybrid powertrain added a $1,600 premium, except for the Touring trim, where it saved $460. The Accord Hybrid was never available in Sport trim. The car featured minor front styling changes, including a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights. The Touring trim received new 19-inch aluminum wheels and a new paint color, Sonic Gray Pearl. The test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, had a dark undertone that avoided the typical drab brightness of silver metallic paint. The new wheels looked great but were difficult to clean due to gloss black inserts.

Inside, the Accord's cabin looked upscale, with lower panels that didn't feel cheap and classy simulated matte-finish wood trim. The robust controls and polished metallic accents added to the premium feel. However, the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a disappointment. The controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with both a volume knob and a tuning knob for the 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. Outward visibility was excellent, and the driver could easily place the car when parking and maneuvering.

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, A4 Allroad, and S4 performance-tuned model. The A4 came in 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI model series and Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims, with prices starting under $40,000 and rising to over $50,000. The test car, a Prestige 45 TFSI, featured Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, the S-line Interior package, and ventilated front seats, with an MSRP of $55,890. The A4's simple, clean, and conservative appearance was a perfect canvas for the Tango Red paint and Black Optic package detailing. Inside, the A4 showed aesthetic restraint with black everything, aluminum trim, gloss black décor, and metallic accents. The high-quality materials, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit digital instrumentation panel, and ambient interior lighting added to the premium feel. However, the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system looked out of place.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and a separate electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, with torque available immediately and remaining constant to 2,000 rpm. Honda estimated a 0-60 mph time of 6.5 seconds and a combined fuel economy of 48 mpg for most trims, with the Touring trim earning 43 mpg due to larger wheels and tires. The powertrain control module determined the appropriate operational mode: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, or Engine Drive. Drivers could also select EV Mode, Econ Mode, and Sport mode to tailor drivetrain characteristics. The refined two-motor hybrid powertrain offered improved throttle response and a more natural sound and feel during acceleration. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's rating. The car's suspension provided athletic handling and a compliant ride, with excellent brake-by-wire regenerative braking.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine generating 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard Quattro Ultra all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. It earned an EPA fuel economy rating of 29 mpg in combined driving and accelerated to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The A4 45 TFSI test car had 261 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, with a lowered sport suspension. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and achieved 27 mpg in combined driving. Both engines required premium gas and offered Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual driving modes. The A4 45 TFSI averaged 24.8 mpg during testing. The Quattro Ultra AWD system powered the front wheels unless power transfer to the rear wheels was needed. The A4's engine was refined, delivering a solid punch of torque, with steering wheel paddle shifters enhancing engagement. The S-tronic DCT performed beautifully, and the tire grip was outstanding. The A4's structure and suspension conveyed a rock-solid sensation over speed bumps, and the cabin remained remarkably quiet.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered impressive interior space, competing as a midsize sedan but actually a full-size sedan. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and enormous back seat provided ample room, though the front passenger's seat lacked height adjustment. Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with wireless smartphone charging, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 16.7 cubic-foot trunk was the same size as other Accords and larger than any competitor in the segment. The trunk was deep enough to store full-size suitcases on their sides, and 60/40 split-folding rear seats expanded utility.

The 2022 Audi A4's low ground clearance made it harder to enter and exit, with small door openings and a snug cabin. However, the front seats were exceptionally comfortable, with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The center armrest adjusted for height and position, optimizing driver comfort. The A4 featured a three-zone automatic climate control system, separate from the infotainment screen, and an intuitive layout. The back seat was comfortable for shorter trips, though space was limited, and the hard plastic front seatbacks and storage netting were unfriendly to knees and shins. Interior storage was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box signal booster. The A4's 13 cubic-foot trunk was nicely finished, with enclosed hinges and storage nets, and grab handles on both sides of the lid.

For 2021, Honda made its 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard on the base Accord Hybrid, including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. EX trim offered wireless connectivity for these platforms, improved USB port access, and standard 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers. Wireless smartphone charging was standard with EX trim and higher. EX-L trim included a premium sound system, while Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. The system worked well, but voice commands required specific prompts and pathways. The navigation system struggled to locate the closest hospital, highlighting a limitation in voice-activated navigation.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common fingertip smartphone functions and offered acoustic feedback. Features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Audi Connect connected services. The test car also had navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was easy to configure and use, with an intuitive user experience. The voice recognition technology was accurate but slow to respond. The Bang & Olufsen stereo was satisfying, though sound quality degraded at high volumes. The test car also had a head-up display, which was difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

In 2020, the Honda Accord did not receive a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) due to its headlights. For 2021, Honda redesigned the LED headlights and made them standard on all trims, aiming for the Top Safety Pick+ rating. The 2021 Accord Hybrid included a standard rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system. The Touring model gained low-speed braking control, a front and rear automatic emergency braking system for speeds up to 6 mph. The Honda Sensing collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) included refinements to adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. However, the system remained intrusive, and the lane departure warning should have been a steering wheel vibration instead of a wobble. The low-speed automatic braking system needed recalibration, as it was overly sensitive with a full payload.

The 2022 Audi A4 stair-stepped the availability of safety features, with more features available on higher trims. The Prestige model included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, surround-view camera system, and Park Assist were also included. The Matrix-design LED headlights with automatic high-beam operation provided excellent visibility. The driver assistance tech was effective and non-intrusive, though the adaptive cruise control had a delayed reaction in some situations. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).