2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2024 Subaru Impreza

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid, especially in its Touring trim, evoked a sense of nostalgia during our test drive in New York's Hudson Valley. The village of Accord, N.Y., served as a picturesque backdrop, reminiscent of the original Accord's 1977 U.S. sales brochure. The new Accord's elegant exterior, with its sleek lines and refined design, often drew comparisons to luxury sedans like the Audi A7. The car's longer length, redesigned front grille, and updated LED lighting contributed to its sophisticated appearance.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza, in contrast, showcased a more aggressive and sporty style compared to its predecessor. The larger, angular grille and narrower LED headlights gave it a focused look. The RS trim added side skirts for a low-slung appearance, while the flared fenders suggested a wider and more athletic stance. Inside, the Impreza featured a modern look with an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen in the Sport and RS trims, and commendable materials quality. The rear seats offered ample space, and the cargo area was practical for active lifestyles.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Despite lacking all-wheel drive (AWD), the Accord Hybrid provided smooth and efficient performance, seamlessly switching between electric and gas power. The suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, offering a balanced ride. The regenerative braking system, with six levels of regen, allowed for fine-tuning and a comfortable driving experience.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza offered two engine choices: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 152 horsepower for the Base and Sport trims, and a 2.5-liter engine with 182 horsepower for the RS model. Both engines were paired with a CVT, with the Sport and RS trims featuring paddle shifters for manual control. AWD was standard across all trims. The RS model, with its sport-tuned suspension, provided responsive handling and a comfortable ride. The added sound insulation reduced road noise, enhancing long-distance comfort.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted a layout similar to the Civic and CR-V, featuring a strip of honeycomb mesh trim that hid the dash-mounted air vents. The infotainment screen was prominently placed, with convenient buttons and dials for climate control. The traditional gearshift replaced the previous button system, adding convenience. The front seats offered excellent support, while the rear seats provided generous legroom and shoulder room, though headroom was slightly compromised by the sleek roofline. The trunk space was ample at 16.7 cubic feet, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's cabin favored function over form, with logically placed controls and good outward visibility. The RS trim included a wireless charging pad and a large center armrest bin for storage. The rear seats were spacious, accommodating six-footers comfortably. The cargo area offered 20.4 cubic feet of space, expandable to 56 cubic feet with the seatbacks folded down. The Impreza also accepted various roof racks for outdoor gear, though it wasn't rated for heavier overlanding tent platforms.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the Hybrid trims, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, "Hey Google" virtual assistant, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. The Touring trim included a 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports. The intuitive menus and physical volume knob and climate control buttons enhanced usability.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza's 11.6-inch touchscreen was easy to use, with large on-screen buttons and physical knobs for volume, tuning, and temperature. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity in the Sport and RS trims. The Starlink system, available in the Sport and RS trims, included a Wi-Fi hotspot and smartphone app integration. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with smartly organized menus.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, pedestrian and cyclist detection, and a rear-seat reminder. The Touring trim added a multi-angle rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, and a head-up display. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were optional. The Accord Hybrid earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Subaru Impreza featured the EyeSight driver assist suite, including frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering. The Sport model added Starlink communications with automatic collision notification and enhanced roadside assistance. The RS trim included a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. The safety features performed well during our test, with no false alarms or intrusive actions.