2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, which had been around since its 2019 hatchback launch and 2020 sedan debut, aimed to shed Toyota's "boring" reputation with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesiveness of the Honda Civic. Different trim levels offered unique styling elements, such as the aggressive front fascia on SE and XSE models, blacked-out trim on Nightshade Editions, and a subtle body kit with bronze accents on Apex Editions. The SE Apex Edition, in particular, stood out with its "Fast and Furious" vibe, thanks to its Cement gray color and model-specific 18-inch wheels.

Inside, the Corolla's design was simpler but still appealing. The fit and finish met Toyota's high standards, although the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges. The SE Apex Edition's interior was nearly identical to the standard SE, with light gray upholstery that seemed susceptible to stains. Cloth upholstery was standard, with SofTex leatherette available on higher trims. The Corolla used the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, sharing structural elements with the Camry and RAV4.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, particularly in its range-topping Touring trim, exuded an elegant exterior that could easily be mistaken for a luxury sedan. During a test drive in New York's scenic Hudson Valley, the Accord's sleek lines, reminiscent of Audi's A7, garnered numerous positive responses. The 2023 model was about three inches longer than its predecessor, featuring a redesigned front grille, updated LED lighting, and a more refined, near-luxury look. The car's planted stance was accentuated by its long, flowing roofline and increased rear track.

The Accord Hybrid Touring, priced around $38,435, offered seven exterior colors and rode on 19-inch alloy wheels with black accents. Optional gloss-black HPD 19-inch alloys were available for an additional $2,000. The interior boasted a new dashboard design, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and features like Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Canyon River Blue Metallic paint and black leather interior of the test car added to its upscale feel.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla sedan offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The Apex Edition versions of the SE and XSE had the same engine but with a sport exhaust system. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-liter engine could be paired with a six-speed manual gearbox on SE and SE Apex Edition models. All 2022 Corollas were front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive expected for the 2023 model year.

The SE Apex Edition's manual transmission complemented its sportier suspension, which included unique coil springs, solid stabilizer bars, and an increased spring rate. This setup made the Apex Edition more nimble and eager to turn into corners, though it also stiffened the ride quality. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Apex Edition lacked significant tire, brake, or engine upgrades, making it less powerful during acceleration. However, it was fun to drive in corners, unlike the standard Corolla, which was more comfortable but less exciting.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, producing a combined 204 horsepower. Power was sent to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Unlike some competitors, the Accord was not available with all-wheel drive. During test drives, the Accord Hybrid impressed with its smooth and efficient power delivery, seamlessly switching between electric and gas power. While not overwhelming in terms of acceleration, it had enough power for highway merges and passing maneuvers. The suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, providing a balanced ride that was neither too firm nor too soft.

The Accord Hybrid's regenerative braking system was upgraded from four to six levels, allowing for easier fine-tuning and a more comfortable experience for drivers new to regenerative braking. The car's agile handling made it relaxing to drive in various environments, and despite its increased length, it remained easy to park in tight spots.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though Toyota did not release specific headroom and legroom measurements. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard hindered forward visibility. The driver's seat was lowered and moved rearward for better positioning, but long-legged drivers might still find knee space lacking. The tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel helped with finding an ideal driving position. The front and rear seat cushions were squishy and not very supportive.

The Corolla sedan's 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space was smaller than competitors like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sentra. A 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard, and a power trunk release was available on certain trims. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders. The angled phone tray was too small and oddly shaped to be useful.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted the layout used in Honda's Civic and CR-V models, featuring a strip of honeycomb mesh trim that hid the dash-mounted air vents. The infotainment screen was prominently placed atop the dashboard, with convenient buttons and dials for climate control within easy reach. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated seats. The traditional gearshift lever replaced the previous button-based system, providing a convenient spot to rest a hand when adjusting HVAC settings. A dedicated volume control knob was also retained.

Honda adjusted the front seat frame design for better support, and after extensive test drives, the seats proved comfortable and refreshing. The rear seats offered generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was slightly compromised by the sleek roofline. Trunk space was ample at 16.7 cubic feet, with a low load floor making it easy to access and stow bulky cargo.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while other trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system was available on higher trims. The interface was user-friendly, but some tasks, like selecting a radio station, were less intuitive compared to competitors. The graphics looked dated, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not offered. The Corolla also lacked novel features like Hyundai's Digital Key.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a 10.2-inch digital instrument display. The infotainment system was intuitive, with easy-to-navigate graphics. The Touring trim included advanced tech features like wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, a wireless device charging pad, "Hey Google" virtual assistant, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports were also standard.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, Lane Tracing Assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available but not standard on all trims.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a rear-seat reminder. The Touring trim added a multi-angle rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a head-up display. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional on all trims. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests and excellent ratings for its headlights, crash avoidance, and child seat compatibility.