Dick Hannah Honda 3321 NE Auto Mall Dr. Vancouver, WA
January 5, 2017
Comparing the Honda Accord and the Honda Civic feels a little strange-it’s like comparing two types of apples or a big brother against a little brother. They’re built by the same automaker, with the same commitment to safety and security, so the choice here isn’t about quality as much as it is about what you’re looking for in a vehicle: sporty style alone or style with comfortable extras?
Both the Accord and the Civic offer a coupe or sedan version, which means you can choose a 2 or 4 door option in either model. The Civic base model comes with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, which is a choice for the driver who is looking for a different type of driving experience. The Civic is all curves and sport, far from an automotive wallflower. Not unexpectedly, it’s smaller inside, with a large difference between the legroom in front and in back, and both less legroom and less shoulder room than the Accord. The Civic is not really built to be a backseat passenger vehicle-it’s for a driver who wants style and speed and doesn’t mind sacrificing some passenger room for it.
The Accord doesn’t slouch on style either, with a coupe model that is curves and angles, with an interior that feels like a cockpit. The sedan amps up the luxury with a roomy interior and more comfort. The Accord is built to be the answer to the eternal question: do I really HAVE to drive a boring car when I need passenger room? The answer, with the Accord, is absolutely not. Whether you choose the coupe or the sedan, you’ll get style and substance together.
The Accord offers a fairly standard approach to an entertainment package-a 4 or 6 speaker system (depending on whether you choose the sedan or the coupe) that provides Bluetooth and Pandora connectivity, AM/FM/CD/MP3 capability, along with the ability for the vehicle to read your text messages to you while you drive. Combine that with active noise cancellation and speed-sensitive volume controls and you’ve got an environment that makes for an entertaining ride.
The Civic’s entertainment package wins here. The standard entertainment option matches that of the Accord sedan-4 speakers with the same Bluetooth and streaming abilities, along with speed-sensitive volume controls. But the upgraded trims are on a whole other level. You can choose from an 8 speaker option with a 7-inch touchscreen display or a 10 speaker system with a subwoofer. If you’re looking for a Honda that doubles as a concert experience, the Civic is likely your best bet.
The Civic is a basic model, so its standard features aren’t especially impressive: remote entry and trunk release, steering wheel-mounted controls, power windows and doors, and only one 12-volt charging port. It’ll get you where you need to go, but these features emphasize that the Civic is built for really one person-the driver. If that’s what you’re looking for, it’s a great option for you.
The Accord is thinking about not just the driver, but the passengers as well. In addition to power windows and doors, keyless entry and remote trunk release, and accessible steering wheel controls, the Accord adds additional storage and 12-volt charging ports, as well as a dual-zone climate control system. When you’re comparing two great cars, it’s the little thing that add up.
Both the Accord and the Civic are built, from the ground up, with safety in mind. All Hondas are created with ACE body styles, which essentially divert the energy from a frontal crash away from the drivers and passengers involved in both vehicles. Honda layers the safety protection with additional features that you have come to expect: anti-lock brakes, variable assisted steering, hill start assist, traction control, side and front airbags, and a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines that help you see where you can and cannot go safely. Both vehicles are also the recipients of 2017 5-star safety ratings on both the two and four-door models.
Essentially, in terms of safety, these cars are basically the same. Where they differ is in gas mileage. The Civic, most likely because of its smaller engine size, gets a few more miles to the gallon than the Accord, but both vehicles offer some pretty impressive fuel economy. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be saving money over 5 years compared to the average new vehicle.
The choice between the Honda Accord and the Honda Civic is really a choice that should be made based on what your priorities are. If you’re looking for a larger car that handles long trips better, the Accord’s larger engine size and the roomier back seat will appeal to you. If your focus is a tricked out driving experience, with options for an incredible entertainment system and a sportier look, then the Civic will likely be your choice. Whichever you choose, you’ll get a vehicle that is built from the ground up with your safety in mind.
*Any MPG listed is based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery-pack age/condition (hybrid only), and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-PHEV-label.shtml.
** Government 5-Star Safety Ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program. Model tested with standard side airbags (SABs). For additional information on the 5-Star Safety Ratings program, please visit www.nhtsa.gov.