2023 Honda Accord vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged during a time when hatchback popularity waned as consumers gravitated toward small crossover SUVs. While automakers like Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, and Nissan discarded hatchbacks from their U.S. lineups, Honda capitalized on this void. The redesigned Civic hatchback, built in an Indiana factory, aimed to capture the dwindling market share for the body style and was speculated to spark interest in hatchbacks once more with its potential connection to the revived 2023 Acura Integra.

Resembling the Civic sedan from the front doors forward, the hatchback stood out with a distinct grille and wheel designs. Despite Honda's attempts to balance the car's visual weight, the Civic hatch struggled with the 'stubby butt syndrome' typical in small hatchbacks. Inside, the Sport Touring trim level added digital instrumentation and modern infotainment displays, improving its sophistication. The noteworthy interior feature was the handsome metal honeycomb dashboard detailing that discreetly concealed the air vents.

Conversely, the 2023 Honda Accord adopted a more technical and conservative design as part of its redesign. The earlier chrome-heavy exuberance gave way to modernity with a conservative yet visually pleasing Canyon River Blue paint and pewter wheel finish. While the 2018-2022 model received more favor, the new Accord's contemporary look was appreciated. Inside, the EX trim offered cloth seats with contrast stitching and stylish metal mesh dashboard trim. A digital instrument panel and touchscreen infotainment system upheld the Accord's reputation for refinement and attention to detail.

When it came to performance, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback had varied engine choices across its trims. Most buyers opted for the LX or Sport trims, powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. These trims offered either a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission, whereas the EX-L and Sport Touring trims boasted a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine pumping 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. This setup made the Civic hatchback lively and responsive, especially with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The CVT operated smoothly with the turbo engine, though the manual transmission provided a more engaging experience. Overall, the Civic hatch delivered a spirited drive with commendable fuel efficiency, nearly hitting its EPA estimates.

The 2023 Honda Accord offered a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine across the LX and EX trims, delivering 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Although this smaller turbocharged engine replaced the discontinued 2.0T variant, it provided adequate power for most driving scenarios. The CVT worked adequately to mimic a traditional automatic under hard acceleration. Handling-wise, the Accord maintained a 59:41 front-to-rear weight distribution managed by a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. Its driving dynamics were composed, exhibiting precise steering and robust brakes. Despite its good handling, the Accord's tires sometimes felt squishy, particularly during aggressive driving.

Functionality was a hallmark of the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback. Its cargo area measured 24.5 cubic feet, facilitated by an innovative two-piece cargo shade that enhanced packing efficiency. The rear seat folded in a 60/40 split, though the load floor wasn’t entirely flat. The Civic’s interior offered sufficient legroom, but the front passenger seat's height adjustability and lack of rear air conditioning vents drew criticism. The driver's seat featured an eight-way power adjustment and, like the passenger seat, was heated. Black fabric seats were standard in the lower trims, while the upper trims sported black leather upholstery.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda Accord EX added several functional features over the LX. It included a dual-zone climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The EX also had a power sunroof, but lacked height-adjustable front passenger seating, rear air vents, and USB ports, which were glaring omissions. However, rear-seat passengers enjoyed significant legroom and raised seating for better support. The Accord’s trunk was notably spacious at 16.7 cubic feet, with a self-lifting lid and a handle for easy closing.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback made strides in technology with a new infotainment system. The base trims received a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs, while the Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, wireless charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs enhanced usability, and digital instrumentation provided clear, user-friendly feedback.

The 2023 Honda Accord came with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system standard across the LX and EX trims. Connectivity options included Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, text-messaging support, and HondaLink services. However, SiriusXM was notably absent, pushing users toward smartphone streaming for additional audio content. Despite its basic tech, the Accord's user interface was functional, with controls that were intuitive but somewhat basic compared to modern standards.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was well-equipped with Honda Sensing, an enhanced suite of safety features. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist among others. New additions like Traffic Jam Assist and low-speed following aimed to reduce driver fatigue. Higher trims offered blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warnings. Notably, the Civic hatchback earned a ‘Top Safety Pick+’ rating from the IIHS, underscoring its strong safety credentials.

Similarly, the 2023 Honda Accord also came with the Honda Sensing suite. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping and lane-centering assist, and traffic-sign recognition. The EX trim could be upgraded with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for a modest additional fee. The Accord’s ADAS was refined and performed accurately, garnering positive feedback for its efficacy. The Accord, too, earned a ‘Top Safety Pick+’ rating from the IIHS for 2023, solidifying its status as a safe family car.