2020 HondaAccord vs. 2020 Honda Civic

Comparison between 2020 Honda Accord and 2020 Honda Civic

1. Introduction

On to the 2020 Honda Civic, a relatively small sedan in comparison to its bigger sibling. It's a shame to say but this vehicle has somewhat outshined the 2020 Honda Accord based on reliability and a long lasting repute. Being a smaller vehicle, the Civic has always had its reputation as a great car for students or as a family's first car for their teenager. The 2020 model in particular has introduced a new age of HOT. This car is just pleasing to the eye in addition to having a lower cost. Created as an alternative to the Accord, the 2020 Honda Civic has also received a size change, of which is still smaller than the original Honda Accord but bigger than previous models. This has increased the Civic's functionality, and still being relatively cheap, has created a large cost efficiency gap to the Accord. Although being relatively small, the Civic has a satisfyingly comfortable interior and all the features of the Accord, less the space. Personal bias aside, if it was not for the 2020 Honda Accord, the Civic would still remain as is and receive a small yearly update only. These two vehicles are quite honestly, a representation of hard work, self competition and success. Both vehicles are quite fitting for a consumer's need for reliable transportation with a little extra on the side. Deciding between the two would now be based solely on your budget and transportation needs. Ultimately, the Honda Motor Company will be making the best of any situation and hopefully continue to bring happiness and good memories to their beloved consumers. (Kristiani et al., 2020)

First off, we will examine the 2020 Honda Accord. This vehicle has made its repute as being a long lasting sedan that is reliable for all situations. From its first release in 1976, the Accord has continually evolved its image and gained some useful identity, being known as one of North America's most dependable automobile brands. The 2020 model is a representation of what hard work brings upon a product. Deprecated by a smaller sibling, the 2020 Honda Civic, the Accord is known to be very spacious and comfortable. This vehicle has acquired many changes since its first release but the most noticeable would be the overall size. This size change allots the Accord much more room than previous models and therefore created a cause effect to this change. The interior, just as sleek as the exterior, fosters the driver and passengers to a level of full comfort and relaxation. High quality materials and features have implemented a feel of class, subtly stating, this car is too cheap for what it really is.

Honda has been around in the automotive industry for a very long time, as well as millions and millions of sales worldwide. This essay will focus on the Honda Motor Company, and its two bequests, the 2020 Honda Accord and the 2020 Honda Civic. These two sedans have been around for quite some time now, and which is irrelevant in the motor vehicle industry today, these two sedans are the main topic of discussion. Both brands have managed to innovate their image in effort to bring forth the best possible experience they can for their consumers, little do they know, gaining that competitive edge against each other truly represents their perseverance. Known to be reliable and trustworthy vehicles, Honda has touched many lives enabling them to create memories of a lifetime. But the real issue here is deciding to purchase a 2020 Honda Accord or a 2020 Honda Civic, an issue that hangs on the hook of many consumer's minds.

1.1. Overview of the 2020 Honda Accord

In conclusion, the 2020 Honda Accord is a vehicle that combines safety and comfort, with little compromise in terms of price. With its fine performance and fuel economy, it is a vehicle worth considering if you are in search of a new car.

The comfort of the passengers is also essential when driving. The Honda Accord has power-adjustable driver seats with lumbar support, and the convenience of both front seats being heated. The rear seats have also been improved in this new model with a lower seat cushion and reshaped seatbacks, in addition to the heated seats.

One of the key things about this vehicle is the safety and comfort for the passengers. The new Honda Accord has advanced airbags that help to protect the head and chest in a severe frontal collision, giving you and the passenger a sense of security.

The 2020 Honda Accord is a uniquely designed vehicle, with its combination of innovative technology, safety, and comfort. This new model comes with more efficient fuel economy, lowering emissions and savings in costs. The new Honda Accord also has no compromise in performance due to the Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive and has improved safety features.

1.2. Overview of the 2020 Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is also one of the longest running vehicles in the country. While the 2020 Accord can be fun to drive, it is clear that it was built primarily to be a very safe and reliable form of transportation. The 2020 Civic does not stray away from its tradition of being an affordable, safe, and reliable form of transportation. This year's model seems to be trading in mechanical fun for more technology in hopes of gaining a new kind of edge in the market. Adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist are just a few of the standard driver assistance features that have been added to the 2020 Civic. With economic uncertainty being so high, the Civic is a great way to ensure safety on the road while not breaking the bank. A Civic Sport sedan can be obtained for just over $23,000 and typically gets 30+ MPG in city driving. The Civic has also been a traditionally cost-effective vehicle in terms of insurance and maintenance. An affordable vehicle with a share of high-end features is a recipe that is always popular in the American market, and this year's Civic appears to be a perfect example.

2. Performance

All 2020 Honda Accord models come with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, which has enough power to please most consumers in the sedan market. For those looking for a bit more in terms of performance, the Accord Sport, EX, and EX-L offer an upgrade to a 2.0 turbocharged engine. Here you can find the most juice in the Accord model line, boasting an impressive 252hp engine with 273 ft/lbs of torque. Definitely a fun car to drive. This engine option meets the demands of its mid-sized sedan category, offering smooth acceleration and responsive throttle. The power is suitable for impressive driving up mountain roads and inclement weather. Comparably, the Civic offers similar power, although less refined and with fewer options. The turbo Civics come equipped with a version of the 1.5L Accord engine, offering 174hp and 167ft/lbs in the Civic EX-T, Touring, and Si models. Taking it one step further, the Civic Type R is the high-performance model of the Civic lineup, boasting a 2.0L 306hp turbo engine with 295ft/lbs of torque. This is a high-output engine for a front-wheel drive platform. For a small car with high power needs, the Civic Type R engine does quite well, but still cannot compare to the Accord's 2.0L engine options. Stepping down to the Civic LX or Sport trim levels will result in a 158hp, 138ft/lbs 2.0L naturally aspirated engine. For those who don't need much power in their small car, this engine gets the job done and provides superior fuel economy to any other engine option, as will be mentioned in the next section. Coming off the 2019 refresh, the now ancient naturally aspirated 2.0L engine in the Accord's base model has been taken off the production line, leaving the 1.5L turbo as the minimum offering.

2.1. Engine options and power

The hybrid engine provides up to 48 mpg (a slight drop from the hybrid Civic's 46/47/48 city/highway/combined). The Accord's hybrid engine provides a good amount of fuel efficiency without compromising power. This engine produces up to 212 total system horsepower. The most powerful engine available for the Accord is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which comes with the Sport 2.0T, EX-L, and Touring models, and is also available with a 6-speed manual on the Sports 2.0T model. This engine is sure to satisfy those who want a car that still has a good amount of horsepower. The 2.0T engine provides the Accord with a more executive style car near a luxury vehicle. This engine produces up to 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. Like the Civic, the Accord provides good acceleration with its engine choices and is also a good highway vehicle.

The Honda Accord steps it up a notch with 3 engine options. The standard LX, Sport, and EX-L models come with a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. This engine is the same as the Civic's base, which also provides a good combination of fuel efficiency and power. The Accord's 1.5-liter engine produces 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque and is available with a CVT or a 6-speed manual for the Sports model. The 2 other engine choices are sure to satisfy those looking for a fuel-efficient car with added power, or those looking for a powerful executive vehicle. The EX-L model is also available with a hybrid engine for those who are looking to maximize fuel efficiency.

The Honda Civic comes standard with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This engine produces up to 174 horsepower and 167 lb-ft of torque. If you are looking for added horsepower and torque, customers have the option for a 1.5-liter engine in the Si trim. This engine outputs up to 205 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque. The most efficient engine in the Civic is the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder available for the base LX model. While this engine is the most fuel efficient, it also produces up to 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. Any of these engine choices are excellent depending on what you are looking for. All are good on gas and the turbocharged engine provides the Civic with a fun and speedy acceleration. The base engine has enough power to get on and off the highway and is a good choice for city driving. The Si engine will give you that added boost of power and performance near a sports car. The Honda Civic is also available with a CVT or a 6-speed manual transmission, but engine choices will dictate which transmission is available.

2.2. Fuel efficiency

The most significant aspect of the fuel efficiency of the Honda cars comes from the type of automatic transmission they have. The 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbo models in the Civic get a combined fuel rating of 35 mpg and 33 mpg, shaving just 1 or 2 mpg off the 2020 Accord's small advantage in fuel efficiency. Furthermore, better fuel economy is not the only advantage that the Honda Accord has over the Civic based on its transmission. High levels of durability are expected due to the fact that the 2020 Accord has a 10-speed automatic compared to the 2020 Civic's CVT. The longer the transmission can keep the vehicle's engine operating at an optimal level, the more fuel it will save. With more gears and efficient performance in its automatic, the Honda Accord scores initially in the battle of fuel economy. This ultimately could mean the Honda Accord has a longer effective life cycle until it becomes a heavily reliant fuel consumer, and less fuel economy also increases the probability of costly repairs occurring sooner as a direct result of wear and tear. (Pitanuwat, 2020)

2.3. Handling and driving experience

Both models have pretty good handling and steering systems. However, the award for more fun to drive should go to the Civic. Although the Accord is a comfortable car with good quality driving experience, it does not compare with the driving experience the Civic offers. Buyers that enjoy a more performance-oriented drive should lean towards the Civic. The good feeling of the way the Civic drives makes you want to take the long way home. Both cars are easy to drive and park due to size and good visibility. They also come with brake hold, electronic parking brake, and hill start assist. These features may be quite convenient for drivers who spend a lot of time in traffic in hilly areas. The hill stepping control on both vehicles is also a great safety feature. Both vehicles are front-wheel drive and neither have an all-wheel-drive option.

3. Features and Technology

Comfort and convenience features are a big selling point for both the 2020 Honda Accord and 2020 Honda Civic. Dual-zone automatic climate control is a standard feature on all trims of the Accord. It is available on Sport trims and above for the Civic. Both vehicles have available HomeLink systems to help open gates and program in-vehicle buttons. Drivers of both vehicles will have an easier time getting started on cold days with available remote engine start. Heated seats are an available feature for both vehicles as well. Acoustic glass to reduce noise is a feature limited to EX and above trims of the Civic, but it is on every Accord aside from the LX.

The Honda Sensing Suite is standard on all trims of the 2020 Honda Accord and 2020 Honda Civic. This is an advanced safety feature system aimed at reducing driver stress and collisions. It consists of a Collision Mitigation Braking System, a Road Departure Mitigation System, an Adaptive Cruise Control, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. These systems work together to keep drivers safe in a variety of driving conditions. These conditions include a busy parking lot, a stop and go traffic jam, or freeway driving. All of these safety systems can help prevent drivers from going outside of their lane, from hitting other vehicles, and from collisions with pedestrians. All results are displayed via warnings, steering wheel input, and for more severe results, braking and a possible steering into the correct position by the system. There are additional safety features on both vehicles as well. A walk away auto lock will automatically lock the vehicle when the driver leaves while holding the smart entry remote.

The infotainment system and connectivity options on the 2020 Honda Accord and 2020 Honda Civic are very similar. The 7" color LCD screen is standard on all trims of both vehicles. The Honda Civic is a bit more advanced, featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities standard on all trims. The Honda Accord only has these capabilities on Sport trims and above. Both vehicles have SiriusXM radio, HD radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, and hands-free phone capabilities. The 2020 Honda Civic ranges from a 4-speaker sound system on the base LX model to a 10-speaker system on the Touring trim. The Honda Accord has a 4-speaker system on LX, an 8-speaker system on Sport and EX-L trims, and a 10-speaker system on the Touring.

3.1. Infotainment system and connectivity options

The infotainment system and connectivity in the Civic, on the other hand, has a more modern approach. It possesses a LAN Android-based system with built-in Garmin navigation. This system already looks and feels newer than the Accord's, and it has quicker operation, in particular with the voice control for destinations. All variants come with a rear camera multi-angle with dynamic guidelines that also assists with parking said vehicle. Depending on the variant, there is then either a 4-speaker or 8-speaker audio system. The latter being the premium audio system from premium audio company, JBL, with extra powerful high-quality sound. However, all Civics only come with a single-zone automatic air-conditioning, regardless of variant. Overall, the Civic has a more modern and uniform level of infotainment and connectivity features throughout its range. (用於沙巴和埋葬市的安卓投訴管理應用程序開發和測試的原型方2022)

The infotainment system in the Accord does not come with built-in navigation; instead, it relies on a connected smartphone for navigation via the HondaLink app. The downside to this is that the app is currently only available in the US and is a paid service. Once connected, the navigation can then be viewed through the smartphone and controlled from the screen. This can be considered as inconveniencing and even though it has potential to save costs, it detracts from the user experience. Voice control for the phone is of average speed and accuracy. A four-speaker stereo is standard on the base variant, and has decent sound quality with speed sensitive volume compensation that further enhances the sound. Higher-end variants then come with an eight or ten-speaker audio system from premium audio company, Harman, with good sound and features for the audiophile. These variants also come with the option for a wireless phone charger, that is an extremely handy feature as it keeps the interior area looking clean and clutter-free.

The top-end variants of both the cars come equipped with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The system is largely intuitive to use and very responsive too, albeit the one in the Civic feels like a later and more polished unit. Both cars also feature physical button controls for the air-conditioning, which is a very good feature.

3.2. Safety features

This important section talks about the safety features of Honda Civic and Honda Accord. The Honda Sensing suite of next-generation safety and driver-assistive technologies feature in both the Honda Accord and Honda Civic. Collision Mitigation Braking System, Lane Keeping Assist, Road Departure Mitigation system, and Adaptive Cruise Control are some of the features available in Honda Sensing suite. Both the cars also come with a multi-angle rearview camera to assist you in parking. They both also have Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control. The Accords come with Honda LaneWatch blind spot display to assist you with better visibility of the passenger side of the car. This feature is not available in any of the Civic models. The Accord models also feature Auto High-Beam Headlights which are also not available in the Civic models. Honda Civic comes with Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and has front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and front knee airbags as standard features across all models. The ACE body structure is also available for Honda Accord. Both these cars have plenty of airbags, including side curtain airbags. Honda has also won a lot of awards for its safety, including the 2018 IIHS top safety pick for Honda Civic and Accord. The new Civic also comes with Honda-installed armored car security to help prevent vehicle theft. In terms of safety features, both the cars are equally competitive, and it will come down to personal choice to determine which feature suits individuals' needs.

3.3. Comfort and convenience features

Overall, a potential customer for both cars will likely be satisfied with what either car has to offer, as they are well-equipped for a traditional standard American sedan. The Accord may not seem like a large step up from the Civic due to the many shared features. However, it offers a more refined and engaging driving experience which it reshapes into comfort and convenience for the driver and passengers.

Both cars are also highly adjustable and offer tilt and telescoping steering wheel with the adaptive cruise control and collision mitigation braking system. A key difference is that the Accord has a bit more space in the driver's seat. It has more head, leg, and shoulder room so larger drivers may feel more comfortable.

When it comes to comfort and convenience, the Accord and the Civic share quite a lot of features such as dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8 or 12-way power adjustable driver's seat, and optional leather-trimmed seating. One area where the Accord stands out is its steering wheel. It is leather-wrapped and heated. The Accord's knob controlled infotainment system also means that it gets an electronic parking brake, which the Accord has as well. The Civic has a brake hold feature, however, the Accord's is executed electronically through the button rather than mechanically. The brake hold feature allows you to take your foot off the brake pedal when stopped, as the car will hold the brake until the accelerator is pressed. Both the Accord and the Civic have remote start if the climate is controlled through the key fob. This is a useful feature on very hot or cold days. Honda Sensing is available on all trims for the Accord, this is not the case for the Civic. This means that all Accords get the Honda LaneWatch system, where a camera on the passenger side mirror activates when the right turn signal is used, providing you with an expanded view of the passenger side roadway.

3.4. Advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS)

This feature is practically standard in all new vehicles nowadays, but because there are so many different types of systems out there, it's important to note that Honda's ADAS covers everything from the Honda Sensing safety system available in the 2020 Honda Civic. This package offers a collision mitigation braking system, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, and a lane keep assist system. The Honda Accord has the Honda Sensing safety system as well, but it also features the driver assist system, another exclusive to Honda, including features such as a rearview camera, blind spot information system, and a driver awareness monitor. Both cars have multi-angle rearview cameras, and Honda provided another helpful chart below to compare differing ADAS features between both vehicles. What's most important here when the numbers and features are all laid out in the open is the cost effectiveness of both vehicles. As you can see, the 2020 Honda Civic has lower insurance rates for both collision and total and has a lower MSRP for each model compared to the 2020 Honda Accord. The difference in cost here with the additional safety features on the Honda Accord could be minimal to some consumers, but it's possible that these added costs, which add up over time, could be a sign for some consumers to stick with the traditional ADAS features found in the Honda Sensing safety system, which already offers a vast amount of safety features for the Honda Civic.

4. Price and Value

As far as price is in question, the 2020 Accord has to offer a bit more than the 2020 Civic, but that's to be expected. The standard 1.5L VTEC Turbo engine on the LX, Sport, EX, and EX-L trims, mated to a CVT transmission, is the best fit for most Civic buyers. Most left impressed by the 20.5k starting price point, and a 22.2K Sport model definitely doesn't burn a major hole in the wallet. Starting prices for the 2020 Accord range from 24.2k for the base LX model, to 36.4k for the top of the line Touring model. Considering the 2020 Accord is a bigger car, and is internally classified as a 'larger vehicle', by logic, it's going to cost more than the Civic. The argument in question is whether that price gap is worth it for the Accord due to the Civic's offerings not being far off from what is available for the lower end Accord trims. A Civic Touring model is worth 26.7k, and is only 2k less than the starting Accord Sport model, and that 2k nets you leather seats, remote start, bigger car, bigger engine, and the sexier name that is the 2020 Accord. It's a similar case whereby the Civic is more luxurious than a base Accord, but a mere 2k nets the 10th generation Accord more value.

4.1. Pricing comparison

The price ranges for both Honda Civic and Honda Accord overlap quite a bit, but there are some differences. The Honda Civic starts from $19,555.00 and goes up to $28,000.00. The Honda Accord, on the other hand, starts from $24,020.00 and goes as high as $36,000.00. Therefore, it is entirely possible for a fully loaded Honda Civic to be equal in price to a base model Honda Accord. The spread in pricing has to do with the different trims and options each car has, but it is worth noting that you can load a Civic up with all available options for that car, for the price of the cheapest Accord with no options. The Accord costs significantly more than a Civic. The reason for the significant price difference is that the Accord has a higher base price and is a car with enhanced performance and durability compared to the Civic. This price difference between the two cars can be up to about twice the price of the cheaper car. The reason for this price difference in the cars is due to the characteristics of the car model, options, fuel efficiency, and durability, so it can be compared. I will investigate how each evaluation item affects the price difference of the car and organize it in numerical order.

4.2. Resale value and reliability

The reliability rankings from Consumer Reports are determined by the dependability and cost of repairs on a 3-year-old vehicle in comparison to similar models. The Honda Accord currently holds a score of 4.5/5, placing it in the top 10 most reliable new cars. The Honda Civic came in at 4/5, which is still a great score and a slight improvement from the previous generation. Although both vehicles were a bit below average in terms of reliability for the first year, overall the Honda brand is known for producing quality, long-lasting vehicles, and both models are expected to eventually exceed the projected reliability.

Resale values on a car are always an important aspect to consider while purchasing it. A car that maintains a high percentage of its original value is likely to put more money back into your pocket over time. Accords have always done very well in terms of holding their value and the 2020 model is no different. Both KBB and NADA have the Accord just above a 5 year projected residual of 50%, which is above average for the segment. The 2020 Civic is projected to do slightly better with a residual value of 51.21% according to Kelley Blue Book. Considering the current economic conditions, a car that holds its value should be an even higher priority than usual.

4.3. Cost of ownership and maintenance

In terms of insurance and repair costs, the Civic still remains more affordable. Insurance carriers are known to offer lower rates for insurance on Honda vehicles as they have earned high crash test scores and have a proven track record of being safe and dependable. On the other hand, the Accord has had a higher rate of severe reported issues, and each year, some of their parts are more expensive. For instance, the average catalytic converter replacement for a 2020 Accord is $1,500 compared to $490 for a 2020 Civic. This is also inclusive of anticipated expenses related to maintenance and repairs. ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified technicians recommend a minimum of 50 cents per mile, essentially $75 for every 1500 miles driven, to be set aside for general upkeep as the vehicle ages. Assuming that most expenses will be covered by the owner, these two Honda models are expected to have lower than average maintenance costs.

Further talking about fuel costs, the Honda 2020 Accord and Civic offer a combination of extraordinary fuel efficiency and low emissions, which earns a smog rating over 3.5. Dependent on your driving habits and premium or regular fuel preference, it will naturally vary. Over a 5-year period, the cost for fuel is estimated at $8,000 for the Accord and $7,250 for the Civic, which is above average in comparison to other vehicles in a similar class.

Between the two Honda vehicles, the 2020 Civic costs less to own over time. Considered known vehicles for affordability, the 2020 Civic has a 5-Year Cost to Own of $32,640 and the 2020 Accord rings in $700 more at $33,350. This factors in depreciation, expected fuel costs, charges associated with new vehicle ownership, finance and insurance fees, and the opportunity costs, which is an estimate of what one could have earned if they didn't spend money on the vehicle.

References:

Kristiani, E., Yang, C. T., & Huang, C. Y. (2020). iSEC: An optimized deep learning model for image classification on edge computing. IEEE Access. ieee.org

Pitanuwat, S. (2020). Traction Force-Speed Based Modelling for Hybrid Vehicle Energy Consumption. (No Title). nii.ac.jp

用於沙巴和埋葬市的安卓投訴管理應用程序開發和測試的原型方. (2022). APrototyping METHOD FOR ANDROID COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT AND TESTING FOR SABHA AND ALDAFYANAH MUNICIPALITY. 西南交通大学学报, 57(6). academia.edu