Honda Civic vs. Accord: Which Should You Choose?

For many years, if you wanted a midsize sedan, you chose the Honda Accord, and if you wanted a small sedan, you chose the Honda Civic. The 2017 models change this, though, with a new, more sophisticated Civic that rivals the Accord. Here are some details about each to help decide which one you should choose.

Engines and Performance

The 2017 Civic comes with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that will get you 174 horsepower. The 2017 Accord also comes with a four-cylinder, but you can upgrade to a 3.5-liter V6 engine that will get you 278 horsepower. While the Accord has a more powerful engine, you’ll get better gas mileage in the Civic.

Exterior

The 2017 Accord comes in a sedan style and a coupé style. This vehicle is the only midsize coupé on the market in this price range, but if you are looking for more variety in the exterior body style, then you might want to consider the Civic. With this smaller vehicle, you can choose between the modest looking sedan, a sporty coupé, or the new hatchback. Later in the year, Honda will also come out with the Civic Si and the Type R.

Interior

The inside of the Civic has some new upgrades that rival the interior of the Accord. There are now soft-touch materials and an updated dashboard design. In the Accord, you’ll get a 7.7-inch display mounted on top of the dash, and on the EX and above it will come with a touch screen. In the Civic, you can add an optional touch screen, and if you choose the EX, it comes standard and includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While the Civic is a smaller vehicle, it offers plenty of space both for passengers and for cargo. The Accord has 15.8 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Civic has an impressive 15.1 cubic feet.

Safety

Both of the models have a wide range of safety options, and you can add the Honda Sensing safety package to both the Civic and the Accord. Choose the higher end Accord Touring trim to get these features standard. Both models come standard with stability and traction control, and they both come with a rearview camera. Starting with the EX trim on both the Civic and the Accord, you’ll get a right-side blind spot camera and the HondaLink system with emergency crash notification.

Both the 2017 Honda Civic and the 2017 Honda Accord have a lot to offer. They are both fun to drive, with a manual transmission in the lower trims of the Civic, or the larger engine in the Accord. Choose the Civic if you want more variety in exterior style, or the Accord if you want to stick with the tried and true Sedan.

Image via Flickr by M Dreibelbis under use of CC BY 2.0/Cropped from original

*Based on 2016 EPA mileage/highway estimates and driving range ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe/MPG and driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors. For additional information about EPA ratings, visit http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/label/learn-more-PHEV-label.shtml

*MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary.