2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trim levels, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. The hybrid powertrain added a premium of about $3,000 to $4,000 over the non-hybrid models. Despite not offering a Sport trim, the Accord Hybrid was praised for its excellent design, showcasing a balance of proportion, stance, style, and detailing. Minor front styling updates included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights, while the Touring trim received new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The interior of the Accord Hybrid was noted for its upscale appearance, with high-quality materials and logically arranged controls. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display was user-friendly, and the vehicle offered excellent outward visibility.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant share of the hatchback market, with production taking place in Indiana. It was available in LX, Sport, and Sport Touring trims, with prices ranging from $28,000 to $35,000. The Civic Hatchback shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear. The interior was similar to the sedan, with Sport Touring trim offering advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The Civic Hatchback was noted for its practicality and enjoyable driving experience, although it could benefit from some improvements. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, and the manual transmission was praised for its smooth operation. The Civic Hatchback was a comfortable and efficient vehicle, though it was not designed for aggressive driving on winding roads.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a two-motor hybrid system combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a generator/starter motor and an electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, providing quick acceleration from a standstill. The Accord Hybrid achieved a fuel efficiency of 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 5.5 L/100 km. The powertrain operated in three modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, with additional driver-selectable modes for EV, Econ, and Sport. The Accord Hybrid's suspension and handling were tuned for athletic performance, and the brake-by-wire regenerative braking system offered excellent feel and response.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque or a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine provided accessible torque from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic Hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a choice of CVT or six-speed manual transmission. The CVT was noted for its smooth operation, while the manual transmission was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic Hatchback's suspension provided a balance between comfort and handling, though it was not designed for aggressive driving. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the CVT achieving 7.1 L/100 km and the manual 7.5 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid offered a spacious interior, competing as a midsize sedan but providing full-size sedan space. The driver's seat was 12-way power-adjustable, and the back seat was notably large. Touring trim included heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin and a covered compartment for hidden storage. The Accord Hybrid's trunk measured 473 litres, offering ample cargo space without compromising utility.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback focused on functionality, with a trunk measuring 693 litres and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat was a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. Seating was comfortable, with the Sport Touring trim offering an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated front and rear seats. The interior featured black fabric seats in LX, combination cloth and synthetic leather in Sport, and black leather in Sport Touring. Automatic climate control was standard, with dual-zone in Sport and Sport Touring.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Touring trim added a head-up display, navigation with bilingual voice recognition, and wireless smartphone charging. The system required specific voice commands for navigation, which could be limiting.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in LX and Sport trims and a 9-inch display in Sport Touring. The Sport Touring trim included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls was a welcome improvement. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display in Sport Touring.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ rating by redesigning its LED headlights. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Honda Sensing with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The low-speed automatic braking system required recalibration for smoother operation.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback included the Honda Sensing suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist. Blind-spot warning was standard in Canada, with rear cross-traffic warning in Sport Touring. The Civic Hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.