2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback

Honda’s press department exhibited a touch of nostalgia during a week spent with a 2023 Accord Hybrid in range-topping Touring trim. The test drive included two days in New York state’s scenic Hudson Valley, with a stopover in the village of Accord, N.Y., the backdrop for the original Accord’s U.S. sales brochure circa 1977. The 2023 Accord, with its elegant exterior, often drew comparisons to a luxury sedan, particularly Audi’s sleek A7. The redesigned front grille, updated LED lighting, and a longer, more refined body gave it a near-luxury look.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback, dressed in Sport Touring trim with 18-inch alloy wheels and Boost Blue paint, mostly appealed to us despite its slightly stubby rear end. The Civic Sport Touring’s styling was agreeable, and it sat atop a lineup that included the base LX, value-oriented Sport, and upscale EX-L. The interior boasted quality materials, elegant detailing, and just the right amount of technology, with a metal honeycomb mesh decorating the dashboard and high-resolution digital instrumentation and infotainment screens.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite lacking all-wheel drive (AWD), the Accord Hybrid switched seamlessly between electric and gas power, providing smooth and efficient performance. The suspension absorbed road imperfections well, and the regenerative braking system, with six levels of regen, offered a fine-tuned driving experience. The Accord’s agile handling made it relaxing to drive in various environments, and its increased length did not hinder parking ease.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower in the LX and Sport trims, while the EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower. The Sport trim allowed for a six-speed manual gearbox, adding control over the power. The Sport Touring trim, with a CVT and 18-inch wheels, provided a lively and enjoyable driving experience. The Civic Hatchback’s handling was delightful, adding joy to daily commutes and errands. However, it was loud inside on the highway, and fuel efficiency varied between 29 mpg and 35 mpg in combined driving.

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 hiding the dash-mounted air vents. The infotainment screen, buttons, and dials for cabin temperature were conveniently placed. The traditional gearshift replaced the previous button system, offering a more intuitive experience. The front seats provided excellent support, and rear legroom and shoulder room were generous, though headroom was limited by the sleek roofline. The trunk offered 16.7 cubic feet of capacity, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback’s EX-L and Sport Touring trims included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a power sunroof. The driver’s seat offered eight-way power adjustment, and the rear seat was roomy enough for two adults or three kids, though it lacked air conditioning vents. The cargo space behind the back seat was 24.5 cubic feet, nearly 10 cubic feet more than the Civic Sedan’s trunk, with the potential to double when the rear seat was folded down.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and 10.2-inch digital instrument display. The Touring trim included wireless Apple CarPlay and 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, making the tech features comprehensive and user-friendly.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback’s Sport Touring trim featured a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, a navigation system, and wireless smartphone charging. The 12-speaker Bose premium sound system provided excellent audio quality, and the voice-recognition system was responsive and accurate.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a robust set of active 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. The Accord Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), with top scores in crash tests and safety features.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback included Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were only available on higher trims. The Civic Hatchback earned Good ratings in most IIHS assessments and a five-star overall crashworthiness rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).