2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Civic

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 represented a $460 savings. The Accord Hybrid was never available in Sport trim. The Accord was praised for its excellent proportions, stance, style, and detailing, making it one of the best-looking cars in Honda's lineup. Minor front styling changes for 2021 included 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.

Our test vehicle, an Accord Touring in Lunar Silver, featured 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 the gloss black inserts. The Lunar Silver model came with a Black interior, while other colors offered a high-contrast Ivory-over-Black two-tone appearance. The Accord's cabin was upscale, with simulated matte-finish wood trim, robust controls, and polished metallic accents. However, the hard plastic upper rear door trim was a disappointment. The controls were logically arranged and easy to use, with excellent outward visibility and a sculpted hood that made parking and maneuvering easier.

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan was offered in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $21,700 and going up to $28,300, excluding a $995 destination charge. A new five-door hatchback was also set to return later in the year. Our primary evaluation vehicle, a Civic Touring in Morning Mist Blue, had a sticker price of $29,690, including destination charges. We also briefly tested a Civic Sport with Platinum White Pearl paint and the new Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, estimated at just under $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic resembled the larger Accord sedan and had a more conservative and plain appearance compared to the previous model. The interior featured a minimalistic approach with a metal honeycomb mesh running across the dashboard to hide the air vents. Honda improved the interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a maturity the previous Civic lacked.

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 the torque available immediately and remaining constant up to 2,000 rpm. The Accord Hybrid could accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds and achieved 48 mpg in combined driving for most trims, while the Touring trim earned a 43-mpg rating due to its 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 the drivetrain characteristics. Honda refined the two-motor hybrid powertrain for 2021, improving throttle response and making the car's acceleration sound and feel more natural. The Accord Hybrid Touring averaged 42.8 mpg, matching the EPA's rating. The car's 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tires provided excellent grip and handling, and the brake-by-wire regenerative braking system was praised for its feel, modulation, and response.

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan offered two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the EX and Touring trims. The turbocharged engine provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency, with the torque available from 1,700 rpm to 4,500 rpm. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with new Step Shift programming to mimic the sound and sensation of a traditional automatic.

Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for quicker responsiveness. The 2022 Civic featured improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel, making it fun to drive. The Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop, falling short of the EPA's 34-mpg estimate. The Civic's predictable and trustworthy demeanor made it a satisfying compact sedan for various driving scenarios.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered impressive interior space, competing as a midsize sedan but providing the roominess of a full-size sedan. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and the spacious back seat were highlights, though the front passenger's seat lacked a height adjuster. Touring trim added heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large center console bin, a covered compartment with a wireless smartphone charger, and large door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 16.7 cubic-foot trunk was the largest in its segment, with 60/40 split-folding rear seats for added utility.

The 2022 Honda Civic continued the model's tradition of comfort, with redesigned front seats offering better support. The Touring trim featured a power driver's seat with heating but no ventilation. The front passenger's seat lacked a height adjuster but provided excellent thigh support. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, but the back seat offered more legroom than most competitors. The Civic lacked rear air conditioning vents and heated rear seats in the Touring trim. The redesigned center console had less storage space but more accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim. The trunk offered 14.8 cubic feet of space, or 14.4 cubes with the Touring trim, and a split-folding backseat for added utility.

For 2021, the Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, previously available only on the EX trim. This system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity on the EX trim and higher. Honda improved USB port access and added 2.5-amp quick-charge USB ports for rear-seat passengers on EX trim and higher. Wireless smartphone charging was also standard on EX trim and higher. The EX-L trim featured a premium sound system, while the Touring trim added navigation, HondaLink subscription services, and a WiFi hotspot. However, the voice command system required specific prompts and pathways, making it less user-friendly.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display on the Touring trim offering greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display showed the status of the LED headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. The standard infotainment system had a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Sport and EX trims had eight speakers, while the Touring trim featured a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system. The Touring trim also included a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and navigation. The system performed well, with improved voice recognition technology.

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 to achieve this rating. The 2021 Accord Hybrid also included a rear-seat reminder and rear seatbelt reminder system. The Touring model gained low-speed braking control, a front and rear automatic emergency braking system, and refinements to the adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist systems. However, the low-speed automatic braking system needed recalibration, as it was overly sensitive with a full payload.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing collection of advanced driver assistance systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and eight ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the system's smoothness, accuracy, and refinement. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert on the EX and Touring trims. The Civic's vehicle architecture was stronger, with new front airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags. A rear-seat reminder system was also standard.