It’s hard to go wrong with a Honda. The brand is well known for its dependability, efficiency, and knack for delivering what the everyday driver needs. Plus, Hondas have a reputation for needing minimal maintenance and offering a high resale value, so owning one can translate into years of worry-free driving and a great return on investment. Whether you’re looking for a dynamic Accord or a commuter-friendly Civic, you’ll find what you need in the Honda lineup. This is where things actually begin to get harder. With two outstanding sedan choices, which one do you choose?
Let’s explore both the Honda Accord and the Honda Civic inside and out to provide you with the information you need to choose between the two. Once we’re finished, you’ll have what you need to head to your local used Honda dealer and select the one that best matches your needs.
Power and Performance
When you think of the Accord and the Civic, power and performance might not be the first things that come to mind. However, power means much more than the ability to tow large loads or zip through traffic with ease. Power gives you the confidence to tackle the road ahead, whether you’re heading into work or taking a relaxing drive, while performance speaks to how you feel getting there.
When looking at the newest Honda Accord and Civic head-to-head, you’ll see that the Accord edges out the Civic in horsepower, with the latest Accord’s standard engine giving you 192 hp, vs 158 hp from the Civic’s standard engine. However, on the performance side of things, the Civic’s smaller frame weighs less and offers a different driving dynamic, one that’s more aggressive than the Accord. This is significant if you enjoy feeling as if you’re gliding down the road rather than simply driving on it.
The Accord offers two engine choices. The standard one is a 1.5L turbo I-4. This engine, combined with a continuously variable transmission, gets 29 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway, for a combined 32 mpg rating. That’s already quite good for a midsize sedan, but a 2.0L I-4 hybrid option is also available, increasing both performance and fuel economy. Horsepower goes up to 204, while gas mileage improves to 51 mpg in the city, 44 highway, and 48 mpg combined. Unlike the Civic, there are no sporty trims available for the Accord.
The Civic’s standard engine offering is a 2.0L I-4 without a turbo. Due to its smaller size it gets slightly better fuel economy than the base Accord, providing 31 mpg in the city, 40 on the highway, and a combined rating of 35. For a little more pep as well as performance, the 1.5L turbo I-4 is an available option, though slightly different tuning than the Accord gives it different performance figures. In the Civic, this engine makes 180 hp, and gives 33 mpg in the city and 42 on the highway for a combined rating of 36 mpg. In both cars, the 1.5L engine seems to be the one to have for everyday driving, though the Civic’s standard 2.0L engine is a fine choice as well. Both of these are paired with a continuously variable transmission, like the Accord.
In the past, a Civic hybrid was available, but Honda no longer offers this option. What they do offer, though, are two sport-tuned versions of the Civic. The Civic Si, available only as a sedan, includes performance upgrades to the suspension, brakes, and, of course, the engine. Once again, it’s the 1.5L turbo I-4, except in the Si, it’s tuned up to produce 200 hp. It comes only with a six-speed manual transmission for the true driving enthusiast. Fuel economy suffers a little, but a 31 mpg combined rating is still excellent these days. If that’s not enough performance for you, step up to the Honda Civic Type R. Available only as a hatchback, this is the ultimate performance Civic, with a 2.0L turbo I-4 making 315 hp under the hood and a six-speed manual transmission. Fuel economy suffers a bit, but this won’t matter much to the hardcore enthusiast interested in a Type R.
Capacity Is King
In today’s fast-paced world, you need a vehicle that shifts with you from your work life to your personal life. This means you need enough cargo capacity for your friends, family, and your gear, whether that’s soccer gear for the kids or hiking gear for a weekend getaway. Again, you might not think of the Accord or Civic when it comes to capacity, but you may be surprised by what the newest models offer.
To begin, it’s easy to see with one glance that the Accord is bigger than the Civic, both in length and width. However, that doesn’t mean the Accord is the best option. Yes, it gives your second-row passengers more legroom, but the legroom for the front row is the same for each. Additionally, the headroom for both front and back is virtually the same. The Accord does win out in regard to cargo space, giving you a generous trunk with 16.7 cubic feet of space as compared to the 14.8 cubic feet you get with the Civic Sedan. However, the Civic Hatchback provides even more cargo space than the Accord, a whopping 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space with the second row folded down. Neither sedan can come close to this.
Options and Amenities
As with many things, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Inside the Accord and the Civic, you’ll find thoughtful styling and driver assist features that make the journey more pleasant and safe.
The Accord gives you outstanding connectivity, including an available connection to Alexa Built-In for upper trim levels. You’ll also find a seamless connection to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as a customizable 10.2-inch Driver Information Interface, Wi-Fi Hotspot capability, and more. Additionally, the Accord has many driver assist features that keep you and your passengers safe during the drive, including systems like a Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Monitor, Traffic Sign Recognition System, and Collision Mitigation Braking System.
The Civic offers many of the same great driver assist features as the Accord, but some features, like the Rear Cross Traffic Monitor, are only available on the highest trim. However, many safety features are available, making it hard to choose which one is best. As far as connectivity, the Accord might win over the Civic, depending on your preferences and trim choice. For example, while you’ll find the 10.2-inch Driver Information Interface on the Accord, that size is only offered on the highest trim level of the Civic, with the others having a seven-inch screen. The Civic’s touchscreen display is also seven inches across the board, compared to the Accord’s offering of 12.3 inches in all but the two lowest trims. While the Accord offers Amazon Built-In for its upper trim levels, this is not an option for any of the Civic trim levels.
Affordability
As you can see, these two models have many similarities, with the Civic giving you more exterior options and performance and the Accord offering more in the way of technology, including a hybrid model. However, both give you room for up to five passengers and a reputation for dependability, which might trump everything else when you’re looking for a car that will last for years. There is the matter of cost as well, with the Civic LX Sedan having a starting MSRP of $23,950. That is almost $4,000 less than the Accord, starting at $27,895, and almost $3,000 less than the Civic Hatchback, starting at $24,950. Still, each of these options still gives you the chance to own a dynamic vehicle for under $28,000.
Honda Accord vs Honda Civic
The good news is that you can find a used Honda or Civic with many of the above features. The 2024 models we’ve discussed here are part of the eleventh generation, introduced in 2022 for the Civic and 2023 for the Accord. Even better, you’ll be able to find the one with all the amenities you need and want, often at a lower price point, and with added peace of mind knowing that you have the strength of the Honda brand on your side.
The Honda Accord and Civic are both mainstays in the Honda lineup and are set to continue dominating their class for years to come. Which one is best for you depends on which one feels better when you slide into the driver’s seat. Either way, you’ll gain advanced technology and driver assist features that help you enjoy the drive even more.
