2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Honda Accord

The 2021 Honda Accord was a staple in the midsize sedan market, facing competition from the likes of the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, and Hyundai Sonata. To maintain its competitive edge, Honda introduced a mid-generation refresh for the Accord, enhancing its appeal with a wider, restyled grille and improved Honda Sensing safety system integration. The Accord's exterior featured LED headlights and a more sophisticated appearance with smaller fog light openings and new alloy wheel designs. Inside, the Accord offered a blend of cloth and leather-trimmed seats, depending on the trim, with a power moonroof available from the Sport trim. The interior was noted for its sophistication, even in lower trims, and provided ample space for passengers, though the moonroof slightly reduced headroom.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the dwindling hatchback market, offering a redesigned model built in North America. The Civic Hatchback shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique styling from the front doors to the rear. The Sport Touring trim added digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, enhancing its modern appeal. The Civic Hatchback's interior was praised for its comfortable seating and innovative cargo solutions, though some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster and rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed the best seat with eight-way power adjustment, and the Sport Touring trim included heated outboard rear seats and black leather upholstery.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine options: a 192-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and a more powerful 252-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four. The 1.5-litre engine, standard on the SE, Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims, delivered 192 pound-feet of torque and was paired with a CVT. The 2.0-litre engine, available on the Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 trims, produced 273 lb-ft of torque and was mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Both engines ran on regular unleaded fuel, with the 1.5-litre engine offering better fuel economy. The Accord's driving dynamics were engaging, with smooth braking and paddle shifters on the Sport and Touring trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque on the LX and Sport trims. The Sport and Sport Touring trims offered a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic Hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a choice between a CVT and a six-speed manual transmission. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, while the manual transmission was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic Hatchback's suspension provided a balance between comfort and sportiness, though the brakes were not suited for repeated hard use.

The 2021 Honda Accord was designed for practicality, offering seating for five with ample head-, hip-, and legroom. Standard features included dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 60/40 split rear seat with a centre armrest. The Accord's trunk provided 473 litres of cargo space, with a well-designed cabin that placed essential controls within easy reach. Small-item storage was adequate, with a front console cubby for miscellaneous items.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, but some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster and rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, with heated front seats standard in Canada. The Sport Touring trim added heated outboard rear seats and black leather upholstery, with automatic climate control standard across the range.

The 2021 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. Standard technology included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added features like satellite radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring trims included an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the LX and Sport trims. The Sport Touring trim offered a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Civic's infotainment system addressed previous criticisms with physical knobs and a steadying shelf for touchscreen operation. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display on the Sport Touring trim.

The 2021 Honda Accord came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including vehicle stability assist, brake assist, a rearview camera, and the Honda Sensing suite. The Accord received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with a Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall safety rating, respectively. It also included two complete sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with the next-generation Honda Sensing system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, though these were only available with the CVT. The Civic Hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with new frontal-impact airbags and an upgraded structure for improved crash protection.