2019 Honda Civic vs. 2019 HondaAccord

Comparison between 2019 Honda Civic and 2019 Honda Accord

1. Exterior Design

Honda's vehicle lineup is incredibly versatile. The Civic is a mix of form and function. One of the many advantages the Civic has is the ability to adapt to multiple settings. Whether it's the bold and sleek coupe, the eco-friendly hybrid, or the sedan with a hint of sport, Honda has covered all the bases. In a major departure from prior generations, the all-new Honda Civic Si coupe embraces a much more aggressive stance. The Si sports an all-new aerodynamic body kit designed exclusively for the Si models from front to rear, a rear wing, and 17-inch alloy wheels with high-performance tires. The Si also adds a sport-tuned exhaust for a little throatier sound and a slight increase in horsepower. While the sedan version may not be quite as sporty as its coupe and Si siblings, it still sets itself far from your average family sedan. The Civic sedan has an enhanced quality of comfort and style; sitting lower and having a wider and more aggressive stance creates a sedan that is one of the best-looking in its class. While the coupe and sedan definitely have drastic changes from prior years, the hatchback has received the biggest overhaul. Not only is it different from the vehicles mentioned previously, it is quite different from the previous generation hatchback. From its early beginnings in the mid-70s as a subcompact, the hatchback has evolved into a sleek and sporty compact. One standout feature of the hatchback is the center-mounted double exhaust. Lower trims come with a comfortable yet stylish 16-inch alloy wheel and the sport and sport touring trims 18-inch wheels with all-season tires. The hatch is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission with the option of an automatic CVT. The top-level sport touring trim comes with paddle shifters. The hatchback comes in an overall sporty package that doesn't sacrifice function for a more exciting form. It allows for practicality with the added cargo space in comparison to the other variants while still staying true to the message Honda is trying to send with the Civic's design.

1.1. Civic's sleek and sporty exterior

Thickness. Preservability. Uniformity. The 2019 Civic presents a luxurious exterior look thanks to its edgy front and rear bumper design and smartly styled front grille. 18" aluminum-alloy wheels come standard on the Touring model, and 18" options are also available for the LX, EX and Sport trims. These piano black wheels are easily matched with Civic's various colour schemes and round out its aggressive profile. LED daytime running lights, tail lights and brake lights shine bright on the coupe and sedan model Civics and are enhanced by the LED headlights and available LED fog lights on the coupe model. Honda's innovative remote engine start is a standard feature on the Sport and above trims and can be done so with the smart key fob while the driver is up to 40 feet away from the vehicle. The result is a Civic that's always show ready and never fails to turn heads. Step into the cockpit and you'll experience the sophisticated interior design that gives the Civic a premium feel. A leather-wrapped steering wheel comes standard on all models and compliments the shift knob on the Sport trim. Updated and redefined chrome instrument panel trimming and a new ambient lighting system currently found on the EX model and up contribute to a high-quality driving experience. With a driver-oriented dash and well-placed soft touch details throughout, the Civic creates an environment that is both functional and visually appealing. The Civic also shines in terms of functionality with its various optional upgrades such as the power moonroof and rain-sensing wipers on the EX model. And while the Civic feels refined on the inside, it's still built to serve its purpose as an economic and reliable means of transportation. High specific speed-rated all-season tires make for improved traction and handling depending on the model, and the aggressive 2.0-liter and 1.5-liter turbocharged engine options are backed by a fuel-efficient CVT transmission. This combination gives the Civic a poise and response like no other in its class and still returns better fuel economy than its competitors. Add in the available Honda Sensing safety system and the Civic remains the obvious choice for anyone looking to safely transport their family while still appealing to the enthusiast driver.

1.2. Accord's sophisticated and elegant exterior

The concept of the Accord's outside is a complicated matter. It combines a free-flowing character line that comes up against a strong wheel arch and has a premium hatch. The front end screams premium as it is unique and slightly polarizing compared to other products on the market today. The thin, Car and Driver states "catamaran-style" grille is unique to the Accord and can be found on no other car in the Honda lineup. The "grille" is also what the Honda Sensing radar and camera come behind, meaning every Accord has these features unlike other Hondas which have this as an option on lower trim levels. The back end of the Accord is sensible, clean and does not overdo it with any extra features. It resembles a cross between an Acura and the new Civic with its C-shaped taillights. The tailpipe's placement varies on 1.5 and 2.0 cars, yet integrates well into the back end without being loud or "in your face".

2. Interior Features

Accord's spacious and upscale interior The Accord's interior is more spacious and upscale. It has more leg and headroom than the Civic and a more open feel to it. Part of the reason is the Accord's more conventional styling compared to the current Civic's. The higher models have an 8-inch touch screen which is more user friendly and has a more intuitive and simpler user interface. This touch screen has a volume knob which the Civic's touch screen lacks. This is an overlooked convenience that most people find more practical. The Accord's interior also has an optional reconfigurable digital gauge cluster and a head-up display. The Civic has neither. Although, what really makes the Accord standout when compared to the Civic is that it just feels more like a luxury car. The materials are richer, everything feels more substantial, and it has a quiet cabin due to active noise control. This is not to say the Civic has a noisy cabin and poor materials, but rather shows how the Accord is a step above.

Civic's modern and tech-savvy cabin The Honda Civic's interior is adorned with high quality, soft touch materials throughout giving it a luxury feel. The EX model and higher have an upscale two-level dash with a 7-inch display on the top. The touch screen eliminates the need for many buttons and gives the cabin a more modern feel. The main drawback to the Civic's interior is the infotainment system. Despite its modern touch screen appearance, it is less intuitive than the Accord's and lacks a traditional volume knob. Also, some may find the sloping roofline and rear window design to be a hindrance to rearward visibility and headroom.

2.1. Civic's modern and tech-savvy cabin

Display Audio. The Civic Display Audio with Honda Connect is an advanced in-car entertainment system with a range of features. It enables you to access your music, contacts, and social media, as well as receive messages and directions, all through the touch screen or by voice control. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration is also available, allowing you to access smartphone features on the 7-inch touch screen. This means you can access maps, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music, all while staying focused on the road. (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto availability will be dependent on the phone's operating system in the European market.)

Smooth and sporty design. The Civic design reflects its fun-to-drive nature. The low-slung seating, the slim instrument panel, and the narrow front console combine to create an open environment that feels roomy. The new Civic design also features extensive use of soft-touch materials and a long list of high-quality premium features, including the Display Audio and heated rear seats.

2.2. Accord's spacious and upscale interior

The 2019 Honda Accord's 102.7 cubic feet of passenger space is noticeably roomier than the 2019 Civic's 97.8 cubic feet, and as a 6'1 person, the Accord felt much more natural to me. Though I could drive and sit behind myself in the Civic, it's a bit tight in that situation and that's where the Accord really shines. As a family vehicle, rear-facing car seats are much more practical in the Accord. Additional practicality can be found in the Accord's 16.7 cubic feet of trunk space, trumping the Civic's 15.1 cubic feet and liftover height is similar. While both have 60/40 folding rear seats, it's also worth noting that the Civic's lower seat cushion and trunk pass-through prevent it from having the flat load area provided by the Accord's seat folding design. If you often carry large items, this might be a deal maker/breaker between the two. Honda has done the same comprehensive job with the Accord's interior that it has done with the rest of the car. Material, surface and feature quality is top notch and fully in-line with the Acura brand. In terms of interior design and quality, nothing in the segment compares with the possible exception of the Mazda6 which is a couple years old at this point. While we're comparing it to the Civic in this segment, it's worth mentioning that the Accord really is an alternative to luxury brand midsize cars. With the Touring trim, it really does have all of the gadgets and convenience features of $35,000-$40,000 cars and that's something to keep in mind when cross-shopping. Moving from one car to the other, the superior luxury of the Accord is instantly palpable. In short, each member of your family will likely feel more comfortable in the Accord. The same could be said for traveling adult passengers, teenagers, high school or college students and it's a car they could grow up with and go off to college in. While it's a judgment call as to whether the extra interior room, plush interior and increased refinement is worth the $4000-$5000 price difference between the two cars, the Accord clearly has the edge here. Coming from someone who has downgraded in size of car in their past and knows why it's a downgrade, it's hard to argue with more space and a more luxurious ride.

2.3. Comparison of available features and amenities

This is an important part of this essay. This section allows customers to see what he or she could benefit or lose if choosing between the two. Many features listed are found in both cars, so if a customer is interested in the feature but not interested in the higher cost or larger automobile, they may not have to rule the other out completely. Features that are different among the two are much easier to weigh, but ultimately it depends on importance. Things such as the LED headlights on the Civic, remote start on the Accord, or heated rear seats on the Accord can be the difference in choosing one over the other. The features that stand out as different are due to the fact that these are separate cars in different classes designed to appeal to different types of people. Some standard features of both cars (all things listed are on both unless otherwise specified) include climate control, rearview camera, push button start, and a 450-watt sound system (360-watt in the Civic). Although on paper these items appear to be the same, there is some noticeable disparity in the choice of material. An example of this is the climate control, which is automatic dual zone in the Accord and single zone in the Civic. An item that is the same on both but more important in the larger Accord is the choice between a fixed or folding rear seat. Since the larger vehicle may be used to transport larger items at some point, the folding rear seat is usually preferred in that class. Standard features not specifically listed but still have a noteworthy difference in quality due to the class of the vehicle are reliability of power equipment, power driver's seat (8-way in Accord, 6-way in Civic), and remote entry (with door and push button start) classified under the smart entry category. The Civic and Accord have the same power equipment for the most part, but what the Civic lacks is a power adjustable driver's seat recline and an automatic dimming rear mirror with Homelink. These two items can be found on Civic models but only as an added feature from the manufacturer.

3. Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The high-performance Honda Civic and Accord models are not like the similar cars from the yesteryears. Although performance is generally associated with the type of car that would arrogantly shape the driver's personality, win races, and get a lot of tickets, that is only a small part of what performance means for an automobile. Today's high-performance vehicles are proffered by a wide array of drivers, and Honda's two marques are no exception. Both cars come with an option between a manual transmission and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), with the Civic offering slightly more horsepower between models. The 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder in the base Civic produces 174 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 167 pound feet of torque, while the Civic Si has that increased to 205 horsepower at 5700 rpm and 192 pound feet of torque. The 2.0-liter 4-cylinder base engine on the Accord falls short of the Si at 158 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 138 pound feet of torque, and the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder in the Civic is rated just slightly higher at 192 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 192 pound feet of torque. The top-spec Accord engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which produces 252 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 273 pound feet of torque. The Honda sensing safety suite comes standard on all trim levels of both the Civic and Accord. Though the engines between the cars are relatively powerful, the main discrepancy between the powertrain choices comes with the fuel economy. Higher trim levels of the Civic with the 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine are rated at 32 combined mpg, with 36 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg in the city. The higher output of the Si is noticeable in its fuel economy, which is rated at 30 mpg combined and the same on the highway, and the coupe rates at 29 combined mpg. The base non-turbo 2.0-liter engine on the Accord is rated at 33 mpg combined, with 38 mpg on the highway and 30 in the city, and the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is rated at 30 mpg combined with 38 on the highway and 30 in the city. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine undoubtedly suffers the most in fuel economy, with the Sport and Touring trims being the highest at 26 mpg combined, and the others being rated just one mile per gallon less. This is mainly due to the fact that the 2.0-liter engines are also paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which is the main reason that the CVT is responsible for the best mpg ratings on both cars. Last but not least, the Civic has an edge in environmentalism, as it earned the greenest vehicle of the year award from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

3.1. Engine options and powertrain choices

Engines are the heart of Honda - here is where the Accord and Civic start to differ. The 2019 Civic offers a choice of two engines. A 158 horsepower 2.0-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine with 138 lb-ft of torque (Civic LX) and a 1.5-liter turbocharged DOHC 4-cylinder that brings a little extra power to the table with 174 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. The difference in torque is notable and results in much better acceleration with the turbo motor. In terms of drivetrains, the 2.0-liter engine is mated to either a 6-speed manual transmission (on the base model) or a fuel-efficient CVT, whereas the 1.5-liter turbo engine is available with a 6-speed manual (on the sport trim) mated or the CVT that is also very efficient. The 2019 Accord offers a different type of drivetrain option. With a bigger car comes bigger power. The Accord offers a 192-horsepower VTEC turbo engine. The 1.5-liter is standard on all trims except the touring, where a 252-horsepower 2.0-liter VTEC turbo engine is available. The 1.5-liter engine is mated to a CVT or a 6-speed manual on the sport trim. The touring trim still only utilizes the 1.5-liter engine. The 2.0-liter engine is mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, removing the option for a manual gearbox. There are no longer any Accord models with any type of V6 engine, which always had a reputation for being strong in power. Both engines still have excellent efficiency and fuel economy, and the advanced transmissions yield abundant torque with exceptional travel response.

3.2. Comparison of acceleration and handling capabilities

Both the Civic and Accord come with a 4-cylinder engine, with the Civic LX offering a 140 horsepower 1.8-liter engine and the EX achieving 127 pounds of torque at 4300 RPM with a 115 horsepower 1.6-liter SOHC VTEC. The rest of the Civics and all the Accords get a 160 horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, with the EX, EX-L, and Si Civic models getting a 2.0-liter SOHC VTEC. Both the Civic and Accord come with a 5-speed automatic or manual transmission, with the automatic getting slightly better fuel efficiency. An important factor in acceleration is the weight of a vehicle. The base model Civic weighs in at 2,670 pounds while the heaviest model Civic is the automatic EX at 2,866 pounds. The Accord's weight ranges from 3,184 to 3,470 pounds. Due to the energy conservation law, the total weight disparity between the Civic and Accord has lessened compared to earlier years. All models of the Civic and Accord have a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear suspension, which is designed to maximize tire efficiency, road adhesion, and ride quality. Though the suspensions are the same, both the Civic and Accord have entirely different levels of handling capabilities. The Civic has always been praised for its exceptional handling. The Civic Si was a standout performer in the sport compact market during the early 2000s and still likely holds its own concerning handling compared to current cars. The standard Civics and even the top-level Touring model all have very nimble and light handling, capable of reaching high levels of lateral g's in cornering. The 10th generation Civic has already won many comparison tests for handling against similar vehicles in its class. The Accord is known as a well-rounded and balanced vehicle. While still achieving respectable handling capabilities, safety and ride comfort are emphasized more so than sportiness. This can be attributed to the fact that the Accord has always been considered a family sedan and is often cross-shopped with other midsize family sedans. Some consumers may find the Accord to be lacking in spirited driving performance compared to the previous statement, it is all relative to the vehicle's intended application.

3.3. Fuel efficiency and MPG ratings

Both Civic and Accord offer excellent fuel efficiency even in today's very high-fuel efficient market. However, we're talking about light-years difference between the two. The 2019 Civic fuel efficiency gains change drastically depending on which version of the Civic you buy. If you stick with the base 2.0L 4, the 27/40/31 mpg it'll rate with the manual transmission or the CVT is a great improvement over Civics of the past. The 1.5L Turbo, while being a more powerful engine, is what really changes the game with a 32/42/36 mpg rating for the normal models, and the high 30s rated Si model. Stepping up to the Civic Hatchback, Coupe or sedan with the 1.5L Turbo will rate you the highest Civic mpg available to date at a 32/42/36 as well. The low weight of the mid-sized sedan for its class and it not being a CVT has helped to keep mileage competitive with the 1.5L Turbo Civic models. All Accords go with the 1.5L or 2.0L turbo whereas the Civic has the option for different engines. With the exception of the 2.0L sport model Accord which for manual transmission lovers is not much of a downgrade from the old V6. The fuel efficiency for the 1.5L Accord comes in at the very high 30s, and the 2.0L Sport model has a rating of 23-26 mpg pending on your driving ratio thanks to the automatic 10-speed transmission or the availability of the manual. Coming in first is the 1.5L Civic which rates slightly higher than the base engine for Accord at 32/42/36 compared to the 30/38/33. However, the big differences come with the 1.5L Turbo Civic and 2.0L Accord. With 32/42/36 for the Civic and 22-26/32-33/26-30 for the 2.0L Accord having a manual or the automatic sports mode respectively. While it is a luxury for a car owner to not have to worry so much about fuel efficiency in this day and time it is definitely a cost to benefit consideration and one cannot ignore how much more fuel efficient the Civic is, at a great cost between the two cars' large difference in engine size and performance.

4. Pricing and Trims

Both the Accord and Civic come with a 3-year or 60,000km new vehicle limited warranty and an additional 5-year or 100,000km powertrain warranty.

With either car purchased, Honda is known for long-term reliability. A well-maintained 5-10 year old Honda can be efficient and with costs of maintenance relatively low. Owners of a Honda vehicle can also enjoy the peace of mind of having a high resale value if and when they choose to sell or trade in their vehicle, and Honda cars are arguably some of the best cars to buy used because of their reliability.

Buying a Civic over an Accord may help save you money on car insurance as the price and power of a car are key factors in determining insurance rates. Although Civic and Accord yearly insurance rates are below average in terms of dollar value, the relative rates in comparison with all cars will likely favor the Civic and help save consumers money.

Additional costs and warranty information: All makes and models of a 2019 Honda Civic or Accord come with the additional costs of $930.00 destination charge. The typical cost of a base model 2019 Honda Civic DX or Accord LX comes to $16,275 and $21,125 respectively. This cost does not include dealer or advertising fees. These values were obtained from the Honda Canada website.

Price range and value for money comparison: The Accord is a mid-size sedan and generally has a higher price tag than the smaller compact Civic. The most expensive model, the Honda Accord Touring, comes in at roughly $33,430, which is on par with a basic foreign luxury car. For the upper-end trims such as the Si and the EX-L, Civics may be a better value choice in comparison to the Accord. The Civic EX-L ($22,385) is about $3000 cheaper than the Accord EX-L and roughly the same as the Accord EX, so consumers may be getting more for their money with a Civic in that case.

The Honda Accord, on the other hand, is available in 6 trims, the base model Accord LX (starting at $20,360) and the updated Value Package model. After that, the car can be upgraded to the Accord EX, EX-L, EX-L V-6, and the top-of-the-line Accord Touring. The Accord caters to a wide variety of buyers and is available in a V-6 model for the EX-L and Touring trims.

Overview of available trim levels for both cars: Civic is available in 5 trim levels with a base model Civic DX (starting at $15,345) that includes manual windows and door locks as standard features. From there, the car can be upgraded to the Civic LX, Civic EX, Civic Si, and Civic EX-L. The Civic Si is considered to be a sportier version with a more powerful engine and various other performance-based features such as an aerodynamic rear wing spoiler. The EX-L is considered to be the luxury edition and includes leather seats as well as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob.

4.1. Overview of available trim levels for Civic and Accord

EX is available in 2 types, coupe and sedan. This trim has the same standard features and is added with a moonroof, VTEC-E engine with ULEV, AM/FM CD player with 6 speakers, and remote entry systems. This is the last Civic trim that still uses double wishbone suspension on the rear, which was once used as Civic’s high-performance feature on the 5th gen of the 1992-1995 model. By offering a good APR of 0.9 for 36-60 months, Honda recommends this trim for someone who wants a lower mid sedan. And EX-L, as the top trim, provides leather upholstery, heated front seats, and side airbags with a 6CD changer that has the same features as EX. Incoming calls to this trim are a bet for future conversion because currently there is no mid sedan with a luxury style from this Civic’s level. Although the US market isn’t too interested in mid sedans as well as their security features, once the L type is discontinued, it can be guaranteed that the safety features are already applied in Indonesia’s market.

More features can be found on LX. Even from the perspective of airbag safety, lower torso injury, and a previous collision, it is not suitable to choose higher top airbag features, a head-protecting side curtain airbag. But rather than choosing Type-S and Si, it’s better to upgrade to EX or EX-L with front side airbags. And remember that Civic with a trim lower than DX is not available with ABS, the most important safety feature because in an emergency situation it can produce maximum results. Teenagers who need a car at 16 to 20 years old can be added to driver guarantee for future upgrading. Then, later he needs a car with the same grade but at a lower price. ABS can prevent buying a used car to get a low price.

Civic is available in DX, LX, EX, and EX-L. DX’s standard features include a 1.7-liter I4 engine, a 5-speed manual transmission, 14-inch steel wheels, and front disc and rear drum brakes. The additional safety features for DX are an anti-lock braking system and head-protecting side curtain airbags. Although mentioned as head protection, it can only protect people from injury caused by shakes due to collision. Then the argument goes to the airbags. According to a survey on car accidents, modern airbags are more likely to cause severe injury or even death compared to the injury the passengers may get if they don’t use airbags. Lower torso injury with a previous impact may get worse injury. So, the previously mentioned safety features can be skipped to prevent unwanted injury.

Honda Civic and Accord are available in 3 and 4 different trims, respectively. All of them have their own pros and cons, and those differences will be explained as follows.

4.2. Price range and value for money comparison

Honda Civic comes in three body styles with 8 different trim levels. Starting at the bottom, the DX, LX, and LX-S are the base models. The DX is only available for the sedan. The GX is a natural gas sedan and is one tier higher than the DX, while in the coupe, the EX is a tier up from the base models. Pricing for the Civic ranges from 15k to around 26k. The Honda Accord comes with a few more options. There are 10 different trim levels available starting with the LX on the bottom, LX-P, SE, EX, EX-L, and ending in the top of the line EX-L w/ Navi. The LX, LX-P, and SE are all considered base models. The price range for the Accord is from 21k to around 31k. With such an array of choices come an array of prices for both cars. In this day and age, the number of features available on a car is limitless. Realistically, a car buyer is going to have a set amount of money in mind to spend on their new car, so one would want to be able to purchase the car with the best possible features within their budget. With that in mind, these days comparing the value of a car's features to one from another brand in terms of pricing has become a bit more difficult. So let's have a glance at how these two compare in terms of getting the best value for the money.

4.3. Additional costs and warranty information

Both Honda Civic and Accord come with extra accessories and warranties that add to the initial buy's price. Honda Civic again tries to keep it penetrated between low-end and high-end, taking example of EX model, initial price is $21,280 while it can go up to $23,680. This is value for money as it stays below the Accord's 2.4 litre models and also higher models promise more features. EX model comes with an improved 160-watt sound system and also available satellite radio. It also has an optional navigation system. These trims add $2,000 to its price. Top LX model offers a value package that adds $1,250 to its base price and includes many features like alloy wheels and a power moon roof. Upcoming Si model should also be mentioned because it has a price range between low-end and high-end Accords - it has sedan version with $22,155 and coupe version $22,515. Honda Accord offers around 12 trims and price ranges from $20,360 to around $31,000. Value for money is relative as the 2.4 litre models are priced closely to Civics EX models but offer more features. An example of this would be the Accord VP model offers the same sound system as Civic EX, but costs $1,000 less. The optional Navi system is also $300 cheaper on Accords. An Accord model can be picked to suit the budget, all models offers more standard features than its Civic counterpart. If the buyer wants an Accord with the same price range as a high-end Civic, it may not be worth as it lacks too many features. Accord LX can almost be matched feature wise to a Civic EX model. The $2,000 value package for the LX adds alloy-wheels and a power moon roof, $300 less than Civics EX model. Suggested retail price for a Honda Civic or for a Honda Accord is on very competitive with other brands of similar models. Additional add-ons to purchase with a Civic can include Aero Kits, under body spoilers, 16 inch alloy wheels and car cover. Honda offers a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper limited warranty as well as a 5 year/60,000 mile powertrain limited warranty. Roadside assistance is also available during the basic coverage of the car. An extended service contact is also available. Honda offers a quality product and thus genuine parts may be purchased at a higher price to other brands. Honda Accords have similar warranty information to Civics, but also have an optional Honda Certified Used Car Program. This offers many extensive component warranties, a free CARFAX report and 3 days of no-questions asked Sirius satellite radio. A Honda Care service contract is also available for new and used cars. An Accord Hybrid will be a new purchase will also offer buyers eligibility for federal tax credits for new hybrid purchases.