2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2024 Subaru Impreza

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was often mistaken for a luxury sedan due to its sleek design, reminiscent of the Audi A7. It featured a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting, giving it a refined, near-luxury appearance. The car was 7.1 cm longer than its predecessor, with a more upright front grille and blacked-out LED headlights. The Accord's long, flowing roofline tapered neatly to the trunk, enhancing its planted stance. The Touring model offered six exterior colours and 19-inch alloy wheels, with optional gloss-black HPD alloys. Inside, the Accord Hybrid Touring boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen, Amazon Alexa, wireless device charging, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interior was updated with a new dashboard design and a digital instrument display, providing a modern and upscale feel.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza, in contrast, adopted a more aggressive and sporty style compared to its predecessor. It featured a larger, angular grille and narrower headlights, giving it a focused look. The RS trim added side skirts for a low-slung appearance, while the rear haunches suggested a wider stance. Inside, the Impreza had a modern look with an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen standard on higher trims. The RS trim included red stitching and seat upholstery accents, enhancing its sporty feel. The cabin materials were commendable, with soft-touch materials in key areas. The rear seats used hard plastics for durability. The Impreza's styling was an evolution rather than a revolution, with the infotainment touchscreen playing a significant role in the interior design.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a CVT. It lacked an AWD option, unlike some competitors. The Accord Hybrid offered a smooth and efficient drive, seamlessly switching between electric and gas power. Its suspension absorbed road imperfections well, providing a comfortable ride. The regenerative braking system was enhanced with six levels of regen, making it easier to fine-tune. The Accord's agile handling made it relaxing to drive in various environments, and its increased length didn't hinder parking ease.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza offered two engine choices. The Convenience and Touring trims had a 2.0-litre engine with 152 horsepower, while the RS and Sport-tech models featured a 2.5-litre engine with 182 horsepower. Both engines were paired with a CVT, and AWD was standard across all trims. The RS model was the sportiest, with responsive acceleration and paddle shifters for manual control. The Impreza's handling was sporty, aided by AWD traction, and it provided a comfortable ride over rough surfaces. Sound insulation reduced road noise, enhancing long-distance comfort. The Impreza's performance was comparable to the Honda Civic Si and Mazda 3, with its AWD offering a traction advantage.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted the layout from Honda's Civic and CR-V models, featuring a honeycomb mesh trim that hid the air vents. The infotainment screen was prominently placed, with convenient controls for climate and seat settings. The Touring trim included heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The Accord Hybrid had a traditional gearshift, replacing the previous button system. The front seats provided excellent support, and rear legroom and shoulder room were generous. However, the sleek roofline slightly impinged on headroom. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's cabin prioritized function, with logically placed controls and good outward visibility. The RS trim included a wireless charging pad and ample drink storage. The rear seats were spacious, accommodating six-footers comfortably. The cargo area held 578 litres, with fold-down seatbacks for additional space. The Impreza accepted various roof racks for outdoor gear, though it wasn't rated for heavier overlanding tents. The designers included flat sections in the door jambs for easier roof access.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with intuitive menus and easy navigation. The Touring trim included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, 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 physical volume knob and climate control buttons were appreciated for their practicality.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's 11.6-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, with large on-screen buttons and physical knobs for volume and temperature. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on higher trims. A native navigation system was absent, but phone integration sufficed for most users. The Subaru Starlink system offered monitoring and control through a smartphone app. The RS and Sport-tech trims included a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The infotainment system prioritized usability, with intuitive menus and easy access to features.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a multi-angle rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Touring trim added parking sensors and a head-up display. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests and safety features.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's safety ratings were not yet available, but it was expected to perform well due to its rigid chassis. All Imprezas included the EyeSight suite with features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency steering. The safety features performed well, with no false alarms or intrusive actions.