Toyota Corolla vs Honda Accord

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its 2019 hatchback debut and 2020 sedan follow-up, aimed to shake off Toyota's "boring" reputation with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesive design of the Honda Civic. The Corolla offered varied styling elements across its trims, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Edition added blacked-out trim. The Apex Edition, with its subtle body kit and model-specific 18-inch wheels, stood out in Cement Grey, exuding a "Fast and Furious" vibe. Despite its sporty exterior, the interior remained simple and less imaginative, with standard cloth upholstery and optional SofTex leatherette on higher trims. The fit and finish were up to Toyota's standards, though the piano black plastic trim was prone to dust and smudges.

The 2023 Honda Accord, redesigned for a more technical and conservative appearance, moved away from the shiny chrome of its predecessor. The EX trim, priced at $37,000 in Canada, featured a dark grille, LED headlights, and a striking Canyon River Blue paint. Inside, the Accord EX boasted durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and a stylish metal mesh dashboard trim. The digital instrumentation paired with a touchscreen infotainment system, reflecting Honda's attention to detail and refinement. Despite its modern look, the Accord's interior lacked some desired features like rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, which were available on higher trims. Overall, the Accord EX was nicely outfitted for its price and class.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models were equipped with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models, along with the Apex Edition, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque, enhanced by a sport exhaust system in the Apex Edition. The Corolla's transmission options included a CVT for most trims, with a six-speed manual available for the base L and the 2.0-litre engine variants. The SE Apex Edition, with its manual transmission and model-specific suspension, offered a sportier driving experience, though it lacked significant tire, brake, or engine upgrades.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm. The CVT, powering the front wheels, featured programmed ratio changes to mimic a traditional automatic. The Accord's suspension, with a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear setup, managed the car's weight distribution effectively. The Accord EX returned 8.2 L/100 km on the evaluation route, slightly above the expected 7.3 L/100 km due to testing conditions. The Accord's ride quality was communicative yet quiet, with precise steering and responsive handling. However, the Michelin Energy tires felt squishy during spirited driving, suggesting an upgrade to the Sport or Touring trims for better grip.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered headroom and legroom similar to the Honda Civic, with a low beltline aiding outward visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard affected forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, though long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla's 371-litre cargo space was smaller than competitors, but it included a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat as standard. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and a small, oddly shaped phone tray.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX came with heated exterior mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The rear seat offered excellent leg support and was easy to enter and exit. The Accord's 473-litre trunk was spacious, with a lid that swung up easily for loading. However, the EX trim lacked rear air conditioning vents and USB charging ports, which were available on higher trims. The hard plastic lining the centre console sides was a source of discomfort, but the Accord provided ample storage locations.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the base model and an 8-inch screen on higher trims. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with a six-speaker audio system. The XSE and XLE trims featured a nine-speaker, 800-watt JBL audio system. The interface was user-friendly, but the graphics appeared dated compared to competitors. The Corolla lacked wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as novel features like a digital key.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX featured a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The EX trim came with an eight-speaker audio system, but lacked SiriusXM satellite radio. The physical controls for the stereo were a welcome touch, though the tuning knob was misleading. Overall, the Accord EX's tech was basic yet functional, with a focus on practicality.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. It featured eight airbags and a comprehensive suite of standard driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was standard from the Corolla LE.

The 2023 Honda Accord came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Accord also featured a reversing camera, automatic high-beam headlights, and blind-spot monitoring. The Honda Sensing suite performed with accuracy and refinement, earning the Accord a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.