What’s the Real Difference and Which Should You Buy?

The Honda Civic and the Honda Accord are two of the Japanese brand’s most trusted and long-running models. Making market debuts in 1973 and 1976, respectively, the Civic hit the market originally as a four-door sedan, and nine years later, we got the Accord sedan (after being initially released as a hatchback). Both model lines are now in their 11th generation and are continuing to bring well-priced, useful, tech-savvy, and, in some models, proper on-road guts.

But which is better: the 2025 Honda Civic or the 2025 Honda Accord? Both boast starting prices under $30,000; both are Honda-grade dependable, and both are relatively well rated by current owners. So, which model deserves your money? This article compares everything that separates the 2025 Honda Accord and the 2025 Honda Civic.

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  Base Trim Engine

  2L I-4 Hybrid

  Base Trim Transmission

  CVT

  Base Trim Drivetrain

  Front-Wheel Drive

  Base Trim Horsepower

  146 HP @6100 RPM

  Base Trim Torque

  134 lb.-ft. @ 4500 RPM

  Base Trim Fuel Economy (city/highway/combined)

  46/41/44 MPG

  
  

  
  

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  Base Trim Engine

  2.0-liter Inline-4 Gas

  Base Trim Transmission

  CVT

  Base Trim Drivetrain

  Front-Wheel Drive

  Base Trim Horsepower

  150 hp

  Base Trim Torque

  133 lb-ft

  Make

  Honda

  
  

  
  

Price Showdown Between The 2025 Honda Accord And The 2025 Honda Civic

The first thing you might look at when buying a new car is the starting price, and while both the Civic and Accord are priced at below $30,000 (for lower trims), the Civic is over $5,000 cheaper at the start.

There are six trims of the 2025 Honda Civic to choose from, with a maximum starting price of $45,895 for the top trim, and there are six trims of the 2025 Honda Accord to choose from, with a top-end starting price of $39,300. For both lineups, things start at the basic level (though it is Honda, so you still get a fair amount) and rise to some very impressive touring and sporty numbers.

Which Model Is The Most Affordable To Buy?

Guillaume Fournier | TopSpeed

The Civic is available as the LX, the Sport, the Sport Hybrid, the Civic Si, the Sport Touring Hybrid, and the Type R (hatchback) with the following MSRPs:

• 2025 Honda Civic LX. MSRP: $24,250.
• 2025 Honda Civic Sport. MSRP: $26,250.
• 2025 Honda Civic Sport Hybrid. MSRP: $28,950.
• 2025 Honda Civic Si. MSRP: $30,250.
• 2025 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid. MSRP: $31,950.
• 2025 Honda Civic Type R. MSRP: $45,895.

The six trims available for the 2025 Honda Accord are the LX, the SE, the Sport Hybrid, the EX-L Hybrid, the Sport-L Hybrid, and the Touring Hybrid, with the following MSRPs:

• 2025 Honda Accord LX. MSRP: $28,295.
• 2025 Honda Accord SE. MSRP: $30,560.
• 2025 Honda Accord Sport Hybrid. MSRP: $33,655.
• 2025 Honda Accord EX-L Hybrid. MSRP: $34,940.
• 2025 Honda Accord Sport-L Hybrid. MSRP: $35,375.
• 2025 Honda Accord Touring Hybrid. MSRP: $39,300.

Prices do end up stretching higher for the Civic, but if low costs and entry-level moves are what you are all about, the Civic looks to be holding its own up until the hybrid levels and higher, where prices start to encroach on the Accord’s bottom price.

Civic Vs. Accord: Reliability And Running Costs

Guillaume Fournier | TopSpeed

There is no denying that, whether you look at an entry-level Accord or Civic or their respective higher trims, both models offer a reasonably affordable entry into the Honda market. Of course, there are some big differences in both models, but what doesn’t seem to differ between the two sedans is their Honda-esque reliability ratings.

According to RepairPal, both the Honda Accord and Honda Civic boast a reliability score of 4.5 out of 5, making them some of the most reliable models on the market at the moment, and where owners are concerned, there is only a very small gap between how reliability is ranked. According to owner feedback on JD Power, the Accord receives a reliability score of 79 out of 100, while the Civic receives a slightly better score of 82 out of 100 for reliability.

Honda

Aside from the starting prices (if you discount the Civic Type R), the difference between the two comes down to yearly maintenance costs and long-term value retention. RepairPal says that it will cost you, on average, $368 a year to maintain a Civic, while the Accord tips the scales very slightly more at $400 a year. Prices are still low compared to the market average for all models ($652), but if you are looking to keep the purse strings as taut as possible, the Civic looks to be the better choice.

According to Car Edge, the Honda Accord has an average five-year depreciation rate of 37 percent, which doesn’t sound bad at all, but the Honda Civic has a very low five-year depreciation rate of 31 percent, making it the 10th best value-retaining vehicle on the market. The Accord is down in 43rd position.

As an example for both, if you were to buy a 2025 Accord LX at the MSRP of $28,295, you could sell it in five years (if trends continue) for around $17,800, while if you bought a 2025 Civic Sport Hybrid, which has a similar MSRP of $28,950, you could sell it in five years for just shy of $20,000.

Honda Accord Vs. Honda Civic Performance Comparison

Honda

Both models come equipped with an inline-four as standard, but again, they are both set up differently, with the Accord’s base engine mated to a turbo. At base level, the Honda Accord is the more powerful of the two, and both models are available as a hybrid. However, the Civic does have the Si and the Type R hatchback in its arsenal, which takes the power potential a lot higher at the top end.

Entry power and relatively low fuel consumption are impressive from both the Accord and the Civic, with the base-level Accord’s decent horsepower output and an estimated combined mpg rating of 32 mpg (29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway), costing you $1,450 a year for gas. The entry-grade Civic is less powerful, but you do get a slightly better fuel return of 36 combined mpg (32 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway), costing you $1,300 a year for gas.

The hybrid trims for both models do well for power, with the Civic hybrid options catching up with power and still delivering decent fuel returns. The hybrid trims of the Accord can muster a very impressive estimated combined mpg rating of 44 mpg (46 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway), while the more compact hybrid Civic does even better, with an estimated combined mpg rating of 48 mpg (50 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway).

CarBuzz

The Honda Civic Si offers some decent power in the sedan showdown between the two, courtesy of its 1.5-liter turbo-four that takes output up over the Accord’s base engine output. Then there is the 2025 Honda Civic Type R, a hatchback that the new Accord lineup has no answer to in terms of power, sportiness, and on-road guts.

Under the hood is a 16-valve DOHC VTEC K20C1 turbocharged inline-four with a compression ratio dialed in at 9.8:1. The turbo kicks out 25.2 psi of boost, and you get the full load of horsepower at 6,500 rpm and torque between 2,600 and 4,000 rpm. The mill/turbo rig boasts a water-cooled cooler, a large radiator, and an active exhaust, so you get a huge amount of reliable power behind the wheel.

What You Get In The Way Of On-Road Comfort And Fun

Honda

While the Accord is only available as a sedan and the Civic is smaller and available as a hatchback, both boast a lot that keeps things relatively entertaining and comfortable for their price points.

The base LX and SE Accord trims come with a well-tuned suspension and smooth steering feedback that are more suited for everyday driving, and the Sport and Sport Hybrid trims boast slightly firmer springs, optional performance tires, a recalibrated steering rig for sharper feedback, and a rear spoiler for slightly more on-road downforce.

The most comfortable-riding Accord looks to be the Touring Hybrid, which, as the name would suggest, comes equipped with more for longer slogs. You get adaptive dampers, a MacPherson front strut, and a multi-link rear setup, while the Motion Management System is featured, which automatically adjusts deceleration in line with your steering inputs, meaning you get effortless stability and control.

Honda

Across the trims of the Civic lineup, you also get a good choice between everyday usability and a bit of on-road fun. The LX and Sport trims come equipped with a MacPherson front setup and a multi-link rear; the electric-assisted power steering provides decent feedback at both slow and high speeds, and the whole setup of both trims strikes a balance between engaging and comfortable.

The Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid trims are also equipped with the same suspension setup, but are tuned to accommodate the extra weight of the hybrid powertrain, while the Civic Si is set up with a bit more sportiness in mind, in the shape of large brake rotors, a firmer suspension, and a slightly more canyon-carving tuned steering rig.

Of course, though, at the top of the pile is the Civic Type R. For the admittedly steeper price, you get dual-axis MacPherson strut front suspension, an adaptive damper system that adjusts on the fly, dual-pinion, variable-ratio power steering, and the ‘+R Mode,’ which tightens up steering, throttle responses, and suspension damping for when you want to spank it.

The Civic Or Accord, Which Is Rated Higher For Driving Experience?

Guillaume Fournier | TopSpeed

Both models, again, are rated highly for driving experience by owners. The Civic sedan is more compact and lighter than the Accord sedan, so it is little surprise to us that it comes out on top.

The Civic JD Power driver experience rating of 82 out of 100 and the Accord’s rating of 79 out of 100 take into consideration everything on-road-wise, from comfort and the ability to have some fun in them, and both are impressive for their prices, but the clear winner is the Civic. However, that is before taking into consideration the Type R hatchback.

Honda

According to the 5-star rating on Kelley Blue Book, the Civic Type R is a heck of a lot of car in a relatively well-priced package. You get a more powerful rev-happy VTEC engine under the hood, the steering is pinpoint (despite the hot hatch FWD layout instead of RWD or AWD), and it boasts a manual box instead of an automatic one. For purists still looking for a hands-on experience, it is a lot more value-packed than the limited run of expensive sports cars today that still boast one.

While the Civic Si is one of the last remaining new manual transmission sedans on the market and the Accord isn’t available with one, the Civic Type R is the whole kaboodle of safety, on-road prowess, engaging feedback, and expensive-model-munching moves in a compact package.

Interior Comfort And Space Inside

Honda

The Accord is the bigger of the two models, with dimensions of 195.7 inches (L) x 73.3 inches x 57.1 inches (H) and a maximum curb weight of 3,523 pounds (hybrid models). The Civic sedan is noticeably smaller at 184.4 inches (L) x 70.9 inches (W) x 55.7 inches (H), with a maximum curb weight of 3,289 pounds (hybrid models).

Neither model is too big for everyday driving in the city, and on tighter roads, but the difference in overall size does have an effect on how much room is available in the cabin. While neither model can be described as cramped, and it is close, there are no prizes for guessing which one has more legroom and headroom in the front and back.

For those of you who have taller rear-seat passengers, the Accord is the better option, but the front legroom and headroom between the two models over both rows are nearly negligible. If you prefer the sound of the Type R, the smaller dimensions (180.8 inches (L) x 74.4 inches (W) x 55.4 inches (H)) haven’t played a part in the inches you get down by your legs, with it boasting the same legroom as the Civic sedan.

The Features Of The 2025 Civic & 2025 Accord

Honda

All grades of the Honda Civic come equipped with the Honda Sensing safety suite, which includes collision-mitigation braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. So, safety is well taken care of from the outset. The LX features a 7-inch touchscreen, a four-speaker rig, and 16-inch wheels with full covers, and the Sport takes things a little further in the athletic-looking direction with 18-inch alloys, an eight-speaker system, sport pedals, and remote engine start.

The hybrid trims get you blind-spot monitoring, LED taillights, USB-charging, and Google built-in, while the top two trims, the Sport Touring Hybrid and the Si, get the most standard features in the shape of a 9-inch touchscreen, a Bose audio setup, wireless charging, and parking sensors.

If you want the sportiest-driving and looking Civic model in 2025, you’ll want the Type R hatchback, which comes equipped with 19-inch matte-black alloys, gloss black side sills, a wing spoiler, LED taillights and brake lights, a Bose sound system, and wireless charging. It is the ‘enthusiast’s’ model this year.

CarBuzz

Like the Civic, all models of the Accord come equipped with the Honda Sensing safety suite, but there are some differences in the way each grade is put together. The Accord also features 17-inch alloys, a 7-inch touchscreen, and smart entry, and the SE gets you black 17-inch wheels, gloss black touches around the body, heated mirrors with LED indicators, and front and rear parking sensors.

The Sport Hybrid flaunts 19-inch alloys, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless phone connectivity, and wireless charging; the EX-L Hybrid benefits from blind-spot monitoring with a cross-traffic monitor, auto-dimming mirrors, and parking sensors; the Sport L Hybrid gets a bit faster-looking with gloss-black 19-inch wheels, a decklid spoiler, and a rear diffuser, while the top-end Touring Hybrid gets you a HUD, Google built-in, a 12-speaker Bose audio rig, and low-speed braking control.

Overall, both models are available as basic but as useful as you like, or as semi-plush and techy as you can get for their price ranges. There may be a distinct lack of luxury options for those of you who want more from the interior, but for this price bracket, we think both are well-equipped.

How The Civic And Accord Stack Up For Everyday Usability

Honda

In terms of lugging things around, the Accord trumps the Civic’s maximum trunk space by a noticeable amount. You can get 16.7 cubic feet of stuff in the rear of the Accord, while the Civic only allows for 14.8 cubic feet. Both are equipped with fold-down rear seats, with the Civic and Accord LX trims boasting a one-piece folding rear; 60/40 split rear seats are available for LX trims upward.

Once again, though, the Civic Type R is making itself known as a true one-size-fits-all model. Despite its smaller size and far more athletic breeding, it boasts a very impressive cargo capacity of 24.5 cubic feet behind the foldable rear seats. It really is a car you can drop the kids off at school with, blast about a track, drive back along your favorite stretch of curving pavement, and then drive you all home in.

Honda

The Accord is rated higher by owners who have left a review on Kelley Blue Book, with an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5, with 83 percent of owners recommending it, while the Civic receives a score of 3.8 out of 5, with just 68 percent of owners. Despite this, both models are rated 3.8 out of 5 for comfort.

Top Speed’s Verdict On The Honda Accord Vs. Honda Civic Debate

CarBuzz

There are clear pros and cons to both the 2025 Honda Accord and 2025 Honda Civic; the Civic can be seen as lacking in cargo space compared to the Accord, and the Accord is quite a bit more expensive than the Civic at base level. Both models have received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, so they are some of the safest new cars on the road, and both models are available with frugal hybrid engines.

We know that your budget and what kind of driving you want to do will help make a decision between the Accord and the Civic a hard one. As an economy car or first-car-friendly model, they don’t come much more friendly than the base-level Civic. The LX is very well-priced, pushes out enough power to get you around without too much strain, can be very cheap on fuel, and has enough space in it for a couple of friends and their baggage in the trunk. The Accord base trim can also be seen as very reasonably priced, but if you don’t need that extra bit of power, then the Civic is where to look.

CarBuzz

If you want a little more room in the back and in the trunk, the base trim Accord will serve you well. It is more expensive, but again, it is reliable, it boasts a decently powerful turbo-four, it can also be very fuel-frugal, it is comfortable, and it is packed full of useful features. If you are in the market to spend a bit more money, you could do a lot worse for your buck than with an Accord. But, for a little more hands-on driving, the clear choice (to us) is either the Civic Si or, for a lot more money, the Civic Type R hatchback.

We are not saying that the Accord or Accord Hybrid models can’t be fun to drive, but both the Si and Type R get you a stick shift; the Type R is very powerful and a jack of all trades; the Si strikes a good middle ground for compact, economic fun, and both models are set up to give you something fun to drive once you have finished your chores.