Compare the2022 Toyota Prius PrimeVS 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid

The Prius Prime has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Prius Prime and the Accord Hybrid have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, driver alert monitors, available blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Prius Prime for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Honda doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Accord Hybrid.

There are over 16 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Honda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Prius Prime’s warranty.

The Accord Hybrid’s redline is at 6700 RPM, which causes more engine wear, and a greater chance of a catastrophic engine failure. The Prius Prime has a 4000 RPM redline.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Prius Prime’s reliability 35 points higher than the Accord Hybrid.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 47 more problems per 100 vehicles, Honda is ranked 27th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Prime running on electricity gets better mileage than the Accord Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the Prius Prime running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Accord Hybrid:

The Prius Prime can drive on battery power alone for up to 25 miles. The Accord Hybrid must run its internal combustion engine to move.

The Prius Prime’s front to rear weight distribution is more even (55.5% to 44.5%) than the Accord Hybrid’s (60.7% to 39.3%). This gives the Prius Prime more stable handling and braking.

For better maneuverability, the Prius Prime’s turning circle is 4.8 feet tighter than the Accord Hybrid’s (33.4 feet vs. 38.2 feet). The Prius Prime’s turning circle is 4.9 feet tighter than the Accord Touring Hybrid’s (33.4 feet vs. 38.3 feet).

The Prius Prime is 1 foot, 1.2 inches shorter than the Accord Hybrid, making the Prius Prime easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Prius Prime has a much larger trunk with its rear seat up than the Accord Hybrid (19.8 vs. 16.7 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Prius Prime’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Accord Hybrid’s useful trunk space.

The Prius Prime’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Accord Hybrid’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

The Prius Prime’s standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Accord Hybrid EX/EX-L/Touring.

On extremely cold winter days, the Prius Prime Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Prius Prime Limited’s Intelligent Parking Assist can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The Accord Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Toyota Prius Prime as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.