Ever since Honda first came to the aid of American consumers—during the energy crisis of the 1970s—the brand has been synonymous with quality, dependability, and cost-effectiveness. Offering a variety of vehicles that adhere to any scenario, Honda is in a consistent state of research and development in their never-ending quest to provide the very best options for consumers.
The two most popular models that Honda produces are the Accord and Civic. One is a four-door sedan, the other a versatile coupe that sometimes takes the form of a hatchback or a high-performance vehicle. But which one is better? While this question is subjective in nature, we're going to present information regarding the unique advantages that each one possesses. At Ryan Honda, your expert Bastrop Honda dealer, we carry both of these models and are highly knowledgeable about them. We hope that what you learn here today will help you make the decision that benefits you the most.
Pricing & Affordability
Perhaps the single most important concern consumers have with the vehicles they purchase are the various costs they incur at the time of purchase and the ones required to keep their vehicle on the road. The latter takes the form of fuel, insurance, and routine maintenance that must be performed at regular intervals. With its recent redesign and emphasis on more hybrid powertrains, the Honda Accord currently has a starting MSRP of $28,390.[a] Receiving a variety of accolades from various voices in the industry, including Car & Driver Magazine, the Accord is a masterclass in style and capability.[b] Similarly, the Honda Civic has garnered a great deal of praise and is readily affordable, with its starting MSRP of $24,545.[c]
While insurance rates are very much a non-linear matter, as there are a variety of factors that go into determining them (age of driver, driving record, intended use of the vehicle, and insurance carrier), the one cost that all consumers have to keep their eyes on is the yearly cost of repairs required to keep a vehicle on the road and running. Many consider Honda one of the most reliable automakers, and the repair cost on their vehicles is often among the lowest in the industry. The yearly amount stays below the threshold of $1,000 for the first ten years of ownership; in this same amount of time, the likelihood of a major repair falls below 16%.[d]
The Honda Civic's repair costs are just as impressive as the Accord's and even slightly less costly to maintain. With annual repair costs staying below $1,000 for the first eleven years of ownership, this makes the Civic one of the least expensive cars to maintain.[e] And, much like the Accord, the probability of a major repair remains below 16% for the first ten years.
Both the Accord and Civic have always been considered fuel-efficient vehicles, with advantages in how far they can go between fill-ups. A 2023 Honda Civic possesses an EPA-estimated combined 36 MPG (33 MPG in the city and 42 MPG on the highway).[f] The EPA estimates that this will result in savings of $2,000 over a period of five years.[g] The Accord, on the other hand, with its emphasis on hybrid powertrains, is just as efficient at saving consumers money at the pump. An EPA-estimated combined 48 MPG (51 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway) is certainly ideal for the modern commuter, and savings of $3,750 over the course of five years is too good to pass up.[h]
Performance
Honda has never been one to skimp on performance, and both the Accord and Civic have some rather pleasing powertrains. The Honda Accord has two distinctive offerings. On its two introductory trims, a 1.5L four-cylinder engine equipped with a CVT possesses 192 hp. Honda's decision to focus on offering more accessibility to hybrid offerings with the Accord is seen in the upper four levels of its trims, which each have a 2.0L four-cylinder paired with two electric motors, raising their oomph to 204 hp and making for an excellent city-driving vehicle.
Although the Honda Civic was recently outfitted with a new redesign, the powertrain options have remained the same as they were in previous incarnations. Similar to the Accord, FWD is the sole drivetrain, and there's no hybrid option, but that's not to say that Honda's stylish coupe doesn't pack something of a punch. The standard offering for this vehicle consists of a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that pushes the Civic forward at 158 hp. For those who enjoy more kick in their commute, fear not; there's an option to upgrade to a turbocharged 1.5L engine that adds the benefit of 180 hp. A CVT is standard, but a manual transmission is available on the hatchback version to help you maximize the performance of your Civic.
Interior & Technology
The interior design of the Civic and Accord are very similar to one another. Both offer a spacious dashboard with an infotainment screen perched on its apex, which has been the defining style many brands have opted for in recent years. Sleek, stylish, and sophisticated, both vehicles are masterclasses in combining practicality and style and offering them in a single package. Both are also equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, with which adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, and lane departure are all standard. This certainly reinforces Honda's reputation as being one of the best choices for consumers in terms of getting more for their money.
Perhaps the primary difference when it comes to the interiors of both vehicles is the amount of space for both passengers and cargo. The hatchback edition of the Civic offers up to 96 cu.ft. of passenger room, compared to the Accord's 50-53 cu.ft. The Civic also proves to be more versatile in terms of being able to carry more with minimal effort. While the Accord's generous trunk space of 17 cu.ft. is actually more than the industry average, the Civic boasts nearly double that, with 25 cu.ft.
Experience the Excellence and Capability of the Accord and Civic at Ryan Honda
Both the Honda Accord and Civic offer up a wealth of advantages. With powertrains that are fuel-efficient and contain plenty of pep and a body encased in a wide array of standard safety features to help provide oversight and peace of mind, these exquisite offerings from Honda are the very definition of crème de la crème. We can't say with certainty which model is "better," as preference is always subjective, but we can say that both are favorites of ours. The Civic provides storage space, costs less, and is generally inexpensive to maintain. At the same time, the Accord offers the same comfort with fuel-efficient hybrid powertrains that can make the rigors of city driving that much easier to deal with.
No matter what you might be looking for in a vehicle, you'll find a selection of the highest quality when you visit the experts at Ryan Honda. We believe in making the selection and purchasing process an easy one that's also enjoyable and informative. We're proud to represent both Honda and the community we call home. Come on down and see what we can do for you.
[a]MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1,095 destination charge, and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $395 premium color charge for 2022 vehicles or $455 premium color charge for 2023 vehicles.
[b]https://www.hondainfocenter.com/2022/Accord/Feature-Guide/Awards-Accolades-and-Ratings/
[c]MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $1,095 destination charge, and accessories. Dealer prices may vary. MSRP does not include $395 premium color charge for 2022 vehicles or $455 premium color charge for 2023 vehicles.
[d]https://caredge.com/honda/civic/maintenance
[e]https://caredge.com/honda/accord/maintenance
[f]31 city/40 highway/35 combined mpg rating for LX. 30 city/37 highway/33 combined mpg rating for Sport. 33 city/42 highway/36 combined mpg rating for EX. 31 city/38 highway/34 combined mpg rating for Touring. Based on 2023 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, and other factors.
[g]https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/Find.do?action=sbs&id=46051&id=46364
[h]51 city/44 highway/48 combined mpg rating for EX-L. 46 city/41 highway/44 combined mpg rating for Sport, Sport-L and Touring. Based on 2023 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition, and other factors.
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