Can't decide - 2016 Civic or 2016 Accord

81744 Views 60 Replies 40 Participants Last post by 17honda, Jan 3, 2017

hunter44102

Discussion Starter · Dec 7, 2015 (Edited)

I just can't make the decision between 2016 Civic Touring and 2016 Accord EX-L 2.4 w/NaviSensing. The features are very comparable but here are my particular pro's and cons of each:

Civic Pros:
Much better looking (IMO)
Much Cheaper ($4K less)
Better MPG (5MPG more over 8-10 years would save $ esp. if prices go up)
Easier to park (shorter and not quite as wide) - Turning diameter 35 vs 38

Civic Cons:
12.4 gallon gas tank (vs. 19 Gallons). I don't like filling up all the time
Turbo could be costly to repair if issues past warranty?
The center console seems to divide the interior and make it seem small.
First model year - this is pretty much a completely new car and it will have some issues.

Accord Pro's:
I kinda like the 2 LCD display setup where you can leave GPS/info on all the time. (vs constantly switching the single LCD on Civic)
Analog gauges - I like the analog speedometer.
Interior feels more spacious

Accord Con's:
Exterior is boring and possibly too big. (large turning diameter)
Interior not quite as nice or modern as new Civic
Slightly slower 0-60 time
Suspension too soft

Anyone else debating these? Any ideas how to make a good decision here

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HondaGeek

· #2 · Dec 8, 2015

hunter44102 said:
I just can't make the decision between 2016 Civic Touring and 2016 Accord EX-L 2.4 w/NaviSensing. The features are very comparable but here are my particular pro's and cons of each:

Civic Pros:
Much better looking (IMO)
Much Cheaper ($4K less)
Better MPG (5MPG more over 8-10 years would save $ esp. if prices go up)
Easier to park (shorter and not quite as wide) - Turning diameter 35 vs 38

Civic Cons:
12.4 gallon gas tank (vs. 19 Gallons). I don't like filling up all the time
Turbo could be costly to repair if issues past warranty?
The center console seems to divide the interior and make it seem small.
First model year - this is pretty much a completely new car and it will have some issues.

Accord Pro's:
I kinda like the 2 LCD display setup where you can leave GPS/info on all the time. (vs constantly switching the single LCD on Civic)
Analog gauges - I like the analog speedometer.
Interior feels more spacious

Accord Con's:
Exterior is boring and possibly too big. (large turning diameter)
Interior not quite as nice or modern as new Civic
Slightly slower 0-60 time
Suspension too soft

Anyone else debating these? Any ideas how to make a good decision here

This is a tough call, but it comes down to which one you are really more comfortable driving. Have you had the chance to drive them both back to back? This would ultimately settle the argument for sure.

The Accord is larger. Would that be a benefit to you? Is this a "me car" or a "family car"?

Looks are subjective, and yet studies show that 60% of what goes into buying a new car are its looks.

Can you afford both and still live comfortable?

Do you want something more comfortable or on the sporty side?

Are you planning to keep the car past three years? Then at that point you might want to consider getting a warranty for either car, which would take away your fears of the new turbo engine, plus cover all the tech that both cars have.

I know which one I would pick, but my wants and needs will undoubtedly be different than yours.

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goflyakuite

· #3 · Dec 8, 2015

hunter44102 said:
Anyone else debating these? Any ideas how to make a good decision here

I am in exactly the same situation deciding between the exact same two vehicles. I currently drive a 2013 Accord EX-L and its lease is ending. I just come home from driving both cars back to back. I can't say it really helped me make up my mind one way or another. I still see the same pro's and con's in each vehicle that I had identified before the test drives.

To me the Accord feels more refined but is lacking a bit in the sporty department. Super tough call... good thing my advisor is low key and so far willing to wait patiently as I work through the process

HondaGeek

· #4 · Dec 8, 2015 (Edited)

goflyakuite said:
I am in exactly the same situation deciding between the exact same two vehicles. I currently drive a 2013 Accord EX-L and its lease is ending. I just come home from driving both cars back to back. I can't say it really helped me make up my mind one way or another. I still see the same pro's and con's in each vehicle that I had identified before the test drives.

To me the Accord feels more refined but is lacking a bit in the sporty department. Super tough call... good thing my advisor is low key and so far willing to wait patiently as I work through the process

If driving them back to back didn't solve your dilemma, then perhaps use the old column, giving each one a pro over the other, while scoring each category by how important that is for you.

First, again, can you afford both comfortable? Then:

1-5 (5 being highest of importance) of each below

1. Exterior looks
2. Interior looks
3. Seat Comfort
4. Leg Room
5. Rear Passenger Space
6. Power Feel (not necessarily spec numbers)
7. Infotainment
8. Driving Feel: cruising on the highway and taking corners
9. Price
10. MPG
Etc, etc.

After add all the numbers, based on what scored each category to each car, there will be a clear winner. And after seeing who the winner is you still feel hesitant, than perhaps its the other car you will really connected with.

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10thGenCivic

· #5 · Dec 8, 2015

I had a 2014 Accord LX. The only two cons I really could come up with is the road noise was louder than I preferred along with a couple interior rattles. However I must state the K24W1 direct injected 4 cylinder engine is a gem.

I look forward to driving the 2016 Civic EX K20. I wish the engine had direct injection but I trust Honda engineers. I will probably wait until late 2016 or an early 2017 model year. I would like to avoid any bugs.

Reactions: 1

Tennesseestorm

· #6 · Dec 14, 2015

That would be a tough decision. I always tried to go with how well I liked the way the car would ride and drive and interior comfort since most time would be inside the car.

I had a '12 Civic LX and we all know how "cheap" the interior materials on those were, so that is one reason I got rid of that car (I had actually won it in a contest, so I couldn't really complain), but also I thought the ride was too firm for me, but I had been used to big Cadillacs and Lincolns.

When I won the car, I had a '93 Fleetwood and a '95 Town Car. lol. I loved the excellent MPG I got with the Civic, but even the lack of an outside temperature gauge on the LX Civic for '12 was pretty bad.

The Civic was well put together however.

I have not had a chance to take a '16 Civic for a spin, but I imagine it has a firm ride as well, but hopefully not as "jiggly" as the '12 was.

Earlier this year when I was in the market for another car, I tried Camry, Accord and Sonata. I tried each of these several times. My dislike for the Accord was a lack of features on the LX and even the EX. In order to get XM radio, you had to get an EX-L trim, but for '16 Honda has added that to the EX.

As far as the ride goes, I do not know if I would say the Accord has soft suspension, at least in my opinion. I thought the ride could be softer. I think trim models like the LX and EX should have a suspension tuned more toward comfort and save the sporty and firm ride for models like the "Sport". I remember back when Accords (and many cars) had softer suspension, especially in the 80s-mid 90s. I remember my old '91 Accord LX rode very smoothly.

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Tim Cole

· #7 · Dec 14, 2015

Tennesseestorm said:
That would be a tough decision. I always tried to go with how well I liked the way the car would ride and drive and interior comfort since most time would be inside the car.

I had a '12 Civic LX and we all know how "cheap" the interior materials on those were, so that is one reason I got rid of that car (I had actually won it in a contest, so I couldn't really complain), but also I thought the ride was too firm for me, but I had been used to big Cadillacs and Lincolns. When I won the car, I had a '93 Fleetwood and a '95 Town Car. lol. I loved the excellent MPG I got with the Civic, but even the lack of an outside temperature gauge on the LX Civic for '12 was pretty bad.

The Civic was well put together however.

I have not had a chance to take a '16 Civic for a spin, but I imagine it has a firm ride as well, but hopefully not as "jiggly" as the '12 was.

Earlier this year when I was in the market for another car, I tried Camry, Accord and Sonata. I tried each of these several times. My dislike for the Accord was a lack of features on the LX and even the EX. In order to get XM radio, you had to get an EX-L trim, but for '16 Honda has added that to the EX.

As far as the ride goes, I do not know if I would say the Accord has soft suspension, at least in my opinion. I thought the ride could be softer. I think trim models like the LX and EX should have a suspension tuned more toward comfort and save the sporty and firm ride for models like the "Sport". I remember back when Accords (and many cars) had softer suspension, especially in the 80s-mid 90s. I remember my old '91 Accord LX rode very smoothly.

I've seen you reference this a few times.....what's the story behind winning the civic?

Reactions: 2

hunter44102

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 14, 2015

I'm leaning towards the Civic currently. 90% of the time it will be for my daily 62 mile commute and 10% for long trips to visit family with my wife/daughter. Also it will be easier to zip in and out of parking spots than an Accord.

Thursday I will check out an Accord anyways one last time and then make my decision.

I think the 10th gen Civic may have better resale value (percentage wise) than the 9th gen Accord, and my daughter would be able to use it as her first car in about 8-9 years (if I can maintain it as well as my 2006 Civic Hybrid which is doing great at 172k miles).

RedCivicTouringMA

· #9 · Dec 14, 2015

I went for the Civic Touring, it's so much cheaper than an Accord touring. I got the price down to 23K on the Civic Touring, for an Accord Touring I would not be able to get anywhere near that price. Which means MUCH higher monthly payments. Hopefully picking up my Civic Touring today! ~Fingers Crossed~

Reactions: 1

josby

· #10 · Dec 15, 2015

hunter44102 said:
I think the 10th gen Civic may have better resale value (percentage wise) than the 9th gen Accord

It definitely does. The lease residual values for Civic are higher (as a percentage) than Accord. Honda Financial sets those, and you know they have a mountain of used Honda sale price data to base it on.

Tennesseestorm

· #11 · Dec 15, 2015 (Edited)

Tim Cole said:
I've seen you reference this a few times.....what's the story behind winning the civic?

Well in December 2012, a local Toyota-Honda dealership (in two different local cities, but owned by same owner) had a contest going on Facebook. They said if you liked them on Facebook and test drove a new car, you could have a chance to win a new 2012 Toyota Corolla. Well I thought it was a joke and almost didn't bother doing it, but said one day what the heck, so I went to the dealer and test drove a new '13 Toyota Avalon to get entered.

I got in the "drawing". Well one day going to work a few days later, I got a call that said I was one of the 11 finalists, to be at the Honda dealership in another local city at 4pm that day to see if I was a winner. Skeptical, I went anyway - left work early because I didn't get off work until 5 and the dealer was an hour away. I got there and TV station was there and all. When I got there I found out you had a choice between a '12 Civic LX sedan or a '12 Corolla LE sedan should you win. It went on for 2 hours... well they put 11 names (all finalists were there) in a big tub and turned it... then called my name, I was a winner! I chose the Civic, because the Corolla was already outdated. I was in shock for days. I couldn't believe I had won a brand new car. I was so happy. I got to drive the car out of the showroom that night with only 5 miles on the odometer. I left my Caddy setting on the lot and got it the next day.

They even paid my sales tax, but I had to file on my income tax and not making much at the time, had to pay like $2000 that year, which wasn't bad.

I wanted a bigger car, so I ended up selling the car in June of 2014 (it only had 7200 miles) for $15,500. I put all of the $ in the bank. Then in April of this year, I got out $8500 and paid down on a new '15 Sonata... big mistake. I wish I had of kept the Honda or bought something else. The Sonata is a good car, but not really what I wanted. I know I will take a major loss on it, but at least it was part of what I won.

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RedCivicTouringMA

· #12 · Dec 15, 2015

Wow that's cool that you won a free car.
I just picked up my Civic Touring tonight and I am in utter awe of the car, its amazing!

Reactions: 1

Tennesseestorm

· #13 · Dec 15, 2015

Cool and congrats! Enjoy it! You will have to let us know how things go with it. I hope to get one within 3-6 months.

10thGenCivic

· #14 · Dec 17, 2015

RedCivicTouringMA said:
Wow that's cool that you won a free car.
I just picked up my Civic Touring tonight and I am in utter awe of the car, its amazing!

I think you made the right decision. The car is quieter and much more comfortable.

hunter44102

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 18, 2015

I think I made my decision tonight also after driving the Accord. I decided on the Civic.

The Accord is just too big for me and feels like an old mans car after sitting in, and driving the re-designed Civic.

Tim Cole

· #16 · Dec 19, 2015

Tennesseestorm said:
Well in December 2012, a local Toyota-Honda dealership (in two different local cities, but owned by same owner) had a contest going on Facebook. They said if you liked them on Facebook and test drove a new car, you could have a chance to win a new 2012 Toyota Corolla. Well I thought it was a joke and almost didn't bother doing it, but said one day what the heck, so I went to the dealer and test drove a new '13 Toyota Avalon to get entered. I got in the "drawing". Well one day going to work a few days later, I got a call that said I was one of the 11 finalists, to be at the Honda dealership in another local city at 4pm that day to see if I was a winner. Skeptical, I went anyway - left work early because I didn't get off work until 5 and the dealer was an hour away. I got there and TV station was there and all. When I got there I found out you had a choice between a '12 Civic LX sedan or a '12 Corolla LE sedan should you win. It went on for 2 hours... well they put 11 names (all finalists were there) in a big tub and turned it... then called my name, I was a winner! I chose the Civic, because the Corolla was already outdated. I was in shock for days. I couldn't believe I had won a brand new car. I was so happy. I got to drive the car out of the showroom that night with only 5 miles on the odometer. I left my Caddy setting on the lot and got it the next day.

They even paid my sales tax, but I had to file on my income tax and not making much at the time, had to pay like $2000 that year, which wasn't bad.

I wanted a bigger car, so I ended up selling the car in June of 2014 (it only had 7200 miles) for $15,500. I put all of the $ in the bank. Then in April of this year, I got out $8500 and paid down on a new '15 Sonata... big mistake. I wish I had of kept the Honda or bought something else. The Sonata is a good car, but not really what I wanted. I know I will take a major loss on it, but at least it was part of what I won.

Very cool, congrats

goflyakuite

· #17 · Dec 19, 2015

hunter44102 said:
I think I made my decision tonight also after driving the Accord. I decided on the Civic.

The Accord is just too big for me and feels like an old mans car after sitting in, and driving the re-designed Civic.

It's funny you say that.... Old mans car. I truly like the amenities and comfort / ride the Accord has. Although prolly considered old to you.... I'm a young and active 46 and some of my biggest (oh H**L no) moments in my current Accord are at stop lights next to a completely gray old man in the same Accord next to me!

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hunter44102

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 19, 2015

LOL! I am 44 so I'm actually somewhere between young an old! This decision is crazy because I usually buy to keep my cars for 8-10 years. If I had the money and garage space I'd probably buy both!

Reactions: 1

Kevin35623

· #19 · Dec 20, 2015

I bought a 2013 accord EXL last year when I was still 18, I didn't dislike the car but it is for the older crowd but now with my touring model civic I feel right at home driving a civic which typically gets put with a younger kids car

cdncolin

· #20 · Dec 20, 2015

Pretty close in size. Civic Touring currenly has more toys and is $7,000 to $9,000 less. And did I mention the Civic gets better mileage.

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