2022 Honda Civic vs 2021 Honda Accord

The 2021 Honda Accord was a strong contender in the midsize sedan market, facing off against rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, and Hyundai Sonata. To maintain its competitive edge, Honda refreshed the Accord's design, introducing a wider, restyled grille that gave the car a more sculpted appearance. The Honda Sensing safety system's radar unit was better integrated into the design, enhancing the vehicle's aesthetic appeal. The Accord's lighting system was upgraded with LED headlights and lowlights, improving nighttime visibility. The 2021 model also featured new alloy wheel designs and a fresh Sonic Gray Pearl paint option, adding a touch of uniqueness to the lineup. Inside, the Accord offered a sophisticated interior with high-quality materials, even in lower trims, and a power moonroof from the Sport trim upwards.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and mature design, reminiscent of the larger Accord. The 11th-generation Civic featured a minimalistic interior with a focus on simplicity and improved materials, particularly in the Touring trim. The dashboard was adorned with a metal honeycomb mesh that elegantly concealed the air vents. The Civic's exterior design was more tailored and grown-up compared to its predecessor, appealing to those who preferred a less flashy look. The interior redesign included new front seats that offered better support, although the Civic sat low to the ground, which could make entry and exit challenging for some. Despite these changes, the Civic maintained its reputation for comfort, with ample legroom in the back seat and a generous trunk volume.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options: a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a more powerful 2.0-litre turbo-four producing 252 horsepower. The 1.5-litre engine was standard on the SE, Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2.0-litre engine, available in the Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 trims, was mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines ran on regular unleaded fuel, with the 2.0-litre providing a more engaging driving experience. The Accord's fuel economy varied between the two engines, with the 1.5-litre offering better efficiency. The 2021 model also featured improved braking performance and paddle shifters for the Sport and Touring trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic also came with two engine choices: a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower for the LX, EX, and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower for the Touring trim. Both engines were paired with CVTs, featuring new Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing the car's responsiveness. The 2022 Civic boasted improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel, making it enjoyable to drive. However, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations during testing, returning 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres compared to the estimated 6.9 L/100 km.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed with practicality in mind, offering a spacious interior with comfortable seating for five adults. The front and rear seats provided ample head-, hip-, and legroom, while the rear seats featured a 60/40 split for added versatility. The Accord's trunk offered 473 litres of cargo space, surpassing most midsize sedans. The cabin was thoughtfully designed, with essential controls within easy reach and a user-friendly infotainment system. Small-item storage was adequate, with a cubby at the front of the centre console for miscellaneous items.

The 2022 Honda Civic continued the tradition of comfort, with redesigned front seats that provided excellent support. The Touring trim featured a power driver's seat with heating, although the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic's low seating position could be challenging for some, but the back seat offered more legroom than most competitors. The Civic's trunk volume was generous at 419 litres, or 408 litres with the Touring trim due to the premium sound system components. The interior redesign included a new centre console with more accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim, although it sacrificed some storage space.

The 2021 Honda Accord was well-equipped with technology, featuring an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring trims offered an onboard navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display with various driving data.

The 2022 Honda Civic impressed with its digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim featuring a 10-inch display panel. The Vehicle Activity display was a standout feature, showing the status of the car's lights and signals. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a navigation system. The system performed well, with voice recognition technology being a notable improvement.

The 2021 Honda Accord prioritized safety, with a comprehensive suite of features including vehicle stability assist, brake assist, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite offered advanced driver-assist technologies such as lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord received top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall safety rating, respectively.

The 2022 Honda Civic also excelled in safety, with an upgraded Honda Sensing collection that included Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and added rear cross-traffic alert in the Touring trim. The car's architecture was strengthened for better collision protection, and new airbag designs improved head protection. A rear-seat reminder system was standard across all trims.