2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a compact car experience that rivalled more expensive models. It was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elegant, elongated body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The 2019 updates to the grilles, bumpers, and wheels carried over to 2020, with the Civic Si sedan and coupe receiving additional enhancements like matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED fog lights. Inside, the Civic boasted a simple yet high-quality interior, with soft-touch materials and a pleasing design. The 2020 model introduced new dash accents and sport seats for the Si, adding to its appeal.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Accord received a mid-generation refresh to keep up with its competitors. It was offered in six trim levels, including the Canada-exclusive SE trim. The Accord's styling updates included a wider, restyled grille and smaller fog light openings, giving it a more sophisticated appearance. All Accords came with LED headlights and new alloy wheel designs, with 19-inch wheels standard on most trims. The interior of the Accord was spacious and well-appointed, with features like dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a power moonroof available from the Sport trim. The Accord's cabin was designed for convenience, with easy-to-reach controls and a sizeable trunk offering 473 litres of cargo space. The Accord's interior was more sophisticated than some competitors, with high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The Civic Touring trims and hatchback featured a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, while the Sport and Sport Touring hatchbacks offered 180 hp. The Civic Si had a boosted 1.5-litre engine with 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R boasted 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Si and Type R were exclusively manual, with the Si offering a thrilling yet balanced driving experience. The 2020 Civic's fuel efficiency varied, with the Si rated at 8.9 L/100 km city and 6.4 highway, while most CVT models achieved around 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 highway.

The 2021 Honda Accord provided two engine options: a 192-horsepower 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT, and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-four with 252 hp and 273 lb-ft, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The 1.5-litre engine offered good fuel economy, rated at 7.2 L/100 km combined for SE and EX-L trims, and 7.5 L/100 km for Sport and Touring trims. The 2.0-litre engine was more engaging to drive, with a combined rating of 9.1 L/100 km. The Accord's driving dynamics were engaging, with paddle shifters on Sport and Touring trims for added control. The 2021 model also featured an upgraded braking system for smoother performance.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a spacious interior with a focus on practicality. The hatchback featured additional sound insulation, and the EX hatchback had an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The Civic's steering wheel housed controls for the central display and instrument panel, while the centre console offered configurable storage options. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space, though the lack of rear air vents was a drawback. The Civic's trunk provided 416 litres of cargo space in sedan trims, 343 litres in coupes, and 728 litres in hatchbacks, expanding to 1,302 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed for daily drivability, with a spacious cabin accommodating five adults comfortably. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. The rear seats had a 60/40 split and centre armrest, allowing pass-through from the trunk, which offered 473 litres of cargo space. The Accord's cabin was well-designed, with easy-to-reach controls and a user-friendly infotainment system. While small-item storage was limited, the centre console provided a convenient cubby for essentials.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on most models, offering Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, and keyless entry. LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, while Honda Sensing included safety features like adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Touring trims added leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and LED headlights.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Standard technology included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker audio system. The Touring trims offered navigation, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display, providing comprehensive information to the driver.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, offering forward collision warning, emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Civic five stars overall, with four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating for the coupe.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured a comprehensive suite of safety features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assist, and a rearview camera. The Honda Sensing suite added lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with top marks in all crash tests. The Accord also offered LATCH connectors for child safety seats.