2020 Honda Accord vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline. It was considered one of the most stylish Accords in history, with a sleek, upscale appearance that belied its status as a mainstream family sedan. The car's visual appeal was particularly enhanced when equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels available on the Touring, Sport 2.0, and Touring 2.0 trim levels. However, the 17-inch wheels on other versions, while less visually striking, offered a more cost-effective option for tire replacement. The Accord was available in several trims, including LX, Sport, EX-L, and Touring, with prices ranging from $28,705 to $40,405, excluding a $1,700 destination charge. Inside, the Accord boasted high-quality materials, with soft touchpoints, good-feeling leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood, making it a comfortable and luxurious environment.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in its 12th-generation form, was considered one of the most attractive Corollas in recent history. The SE and XSE trims added sporty design elements like sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, and 18-inch aluminum wheels, enhancing its appeal. The Celestite metallic paint option further accentuated its attractiveness. However, some design elements, such as the hood shut line and the over-styled rear bumper, were seen as less appealing. The Corolla was available in various trims, including the sporty SE and XSE, with prices ranging from $19,350 to $27,450 Canadian, excluding fees and a $1,690 destination charge. The XSE trim offered a well-appointed interior with soft leatherette, padded door panels, and robust switchgear, providing a sense of substance and quality. However, practical storage was somewhat lacking due to the centre console design.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a standard turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking fuel efficiency, the Accord's 212-horsepower hybrid powertrain was impressive, averaging 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The more powerful option was the turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided a thrilling driving experience, especially in Sport mode, although the front-wheel-drive setup struggled to handle the power. The Accord's adaptive dampers and 19-inch tires contributed to its fun-to-drive nature, while the steering was accurate and well-weighted. However, the braking system could use some refinement, as it showed signs of wear during mountain descents.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Dynamic Shift CVT and paddle shifters. The CVT used a mechanical first gear to improve off-the-line performance, and its ten programmed ratios helped mitigate the typical CVT drawbacks. The Corolla's TNGA platform provided a low centre of gravity and enjoyable driving dynamics, with electric steering, vented front brakes, and a multi-link rear suspension. While not a sport sedan, the Corolla XSE offered predictable handling and enough power to be engaging. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with an average of 7.6 L/100 km during testing. The Corolla's driving modes and paddle shifters added to the driving experience, making it a competent and enjoyable compact car.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size car, offering more rear-seat legroom and cargo space than its competitors. The standard 12-way power driver's seat provided comfort and support, while the rear seat was exceptionally comfortable with wide doors for easy access. The trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, accommodating full-size suitcases with ease. The interior featured ample storage, clear instrumentation, and ergonomic controls, creating a spacious and comfortable environment. However, the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, which was a minor drawback.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE offered several interior upgrades, including SofTex leatherette seats, heated rear seats, and an eight-way power driver's seat. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, but the cushion provided good support. The rear seats offered decent support, but headroom and legroom were somewhat limited. The trunk provided 371 litres of cargo space, which was less than some competitors. The interior design was clean and minimalist, but practical storage was limited due to the centre console design.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with volume and tuning knobs, main menu shortcut buttons, and sensible steering wheel controls. It included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and text-messaging support. The Sport trim added a ten-speaker premium audio system, while the Touring trim offered HondaLink subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless device charging. However, the infotainment system lacked natural voice recognition, requiring specific prompts for accurate responses. A head-up display was exclusive to the Touring trim, and the Accord's visibility was enhanced by a reversing camera with multiple viewing angles.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla added Android Auto as standard equipment, joining Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth. The Corolla SE featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE included Service Connect, Safety Connect, and Remote Connect. The XSE also offered SiriusXM functionality, navigation, and Destination Assist service. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with knobs for volume and tuning and physical shortcut buttons. However, the radio knobs could be more accessible.

The 2020 Honda Accord was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It included Honda Sensing as standard, with features like forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. However, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was reserved for the Touring trim. The adaptive cruise control and warning systems could use refinement, as they occasionally gave false alerts.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centring assistance, and automatic high beams. The Corolla added rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The safety features performed well, with minor issues in adaptive cruise control and lane-centring assistance. The 2020 Corolla received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, but the 2021 model required re-testing due to new airbags.