2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged during a time when hatchback popularity was waning, with many automakers discontinuing the body style in North America. Honda, however, saw an opportunity to capture a significant portion of the remaining market with its redesigned Civic hatchback, produced in Indiana. This model shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements like a different grille pattern and wheel designs. Despite its visual appeal, the Civic hatchback still exhibited a somewhat unbalanced profile, with a tendency to appear front-heavy. Inside, the Civic hatchback mirrored the sedan's interior, with Sport Touring trim offering advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The overall sophistication was slightly marred by the CVT shifter's operation, but the high-quality controls and dashboard detailing added to its appeal.

In contrast, the 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was often mistaken for a luxury sedan due to its sleek design, reminiscent of the Audi A7. The Accord's exterior was elongated by 7 centimetres, featuring a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting. Despite its refined appearance, it retained the essence of an Accord, with a more upright grille and a planted stance. The Accord Hybrid Touring offered six exterior colours and optional gloss-black 19-inch alloys. Inside, the Accord Hybrid's cabin was updated with a new dashboard design and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, featuring advanced tech like Amazon Alexa and wireless connectivity options. The interior was comfortable, with supportive front seats and generous rear legroom, although headroom was slightly compromised by the roofline.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The latter provided a more energetic driving experience, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. All trims were front-wheel drive, with a choice between a CVT and a six-speed manual transmission. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, offering a smooth driving experience, while the manual transmission was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic hatchback's suspension was firm yet comfortable, and the steering and brakes provided a satisfying driving experience. However, the car's all-season tires and brakes were not suited for aggressive driving on winding roads. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with real-world testing nearly matching official estimates.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a CVT. The hybrid system seamlessly switched between electric and gas power, providing smooth and efficient performance. The suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, offering a comfortable ride without being overly firm. The Accord Hybrid's regenerative braking system was enhanced with six levels of regen, allowing for fine-tuning and easier adaptation for drivers. The car's agile handling made it relaxing to drive in various environments, and its increased length did not hinder parking ease. Overall, the Accord Hybrid offered a familiar and comfortable driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback prioritized functionality, with a trunk capacity of 693 litres and a two-piece cargo shade for easy loading. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, although the load floor was not flat. Seating was comfortable, with sufficient legroom, but some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster for the front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and heated front seats were standard in Canada. The Sport Touring trim added heated rear seats and black leather upholstery, with automatic climate control available in dual-zone for higher trims.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted a layout similar to the Civic and CR-V, featuring honeycomb mesh trim that concealed air vents. The infotainment screen was centrally positioned, with easy-to-reach climate control buttons. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Accord Hybrid's traditional gearshift replaced the previous button system, providing a convenient hand rest. The front seats offered excellent support, while rear legroom and shoulder room were generous. However, headroom was slightly limited by the roofline. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on LX and Sport trims, and a 9-inch display on Sport Touring. The latter included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Physical knobs for sound controls addressed previous criticisms, and a shelf below the display provided stability for touchscreen use. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display on Sport Touring.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen on hybrid models, with intuitive menus and easy navigation. The Touring trim offered advanced tech like wireless connectivity, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports were also included. The presence of physical volume and climate control knobs was appreciated, enhancing user experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. A blind-spot warning system was standard in Canada, with rear cross-traffic warning on Sport Touring. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and engineering.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid also featured the Honda Sensing bundle, with a multi-angle rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, and more. The Touring trim added parking sensors and a head-up display. The Accord's next-generation airbags and slimmer front A-pillars improved safety and visibility. The Accord Hybrid received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests and safety features.