We see it happen all the time: you want to buy a used car and start exploring your options, only to quickly discover that brands like Ford and Chevy have largely abandoned the sedan market. So you go looking for a used Honda for sale near North Bergen, and you realize that you might have the opposite problem now: too many great options to choose from.

You'll find a lot of excellent used Honda Civics and Accords out there, especially at a dealership that knows how fantastic these cars are, which can make it tricky to narrow down your options and choose the right one for you. So, let's review the features available on both of these vehicles and help you determine which one delivers what you're looking for.

Similarities and Differences

When considering both of these Honda sedans, whether someone is looking for one used or new, it helps to start with a big-picture view to see what they offer and the key differences between them. The Honda Civic first hit the road back in 1972 and was the first major automotive success for Honda. (They'd already proven themselves as a leader in motorcycles, but the Civic proved they could make passenger cars, too.) Since then, it has been through numerous generations and has become one of the best-selling cars in the world. Although it has been redesigned many times, the modern version of the Civic is a four-door compact sedan, and it's also offered as a hatchback.

Following the success of the Civic, Honda delivered more great offerings including the Accord, which launched in 1976 as a compact car, though it was larger than the Civic at the time. Over the years, the Accord has grown and developed, and the modern version is a midsize sedan with great features inside and out. Honda launched the 11th-gen Accord for the 2023 model year, one year after they kicked off the current 11th-gen Civic; that means both of these cars have a lot of different model years and generations available when you look at used ones, though you'll likely stick to the most recent generations in great shape.

We've already touched on the most important difference between these two vehicles and a key way to help guide you while trying to decide which one is right for you: size. Although they've each been through many redesigns, the Honda Accord is generally always larger than the Civic. These days, the differences aren't massive, but they're still pronounced: the Civic is a compact car while the Accord is a midsize sedan.

Both cars have two rows of seating inside, comfortably fitting five people, and a spacious trunk that you can load up with stuff. But there are some differences, and ultimately, the larger Accord will give you a bit more space inside for your passengers and a larger trunk. Let's take a look at examples of these two cars from the same year, and you'll see what we mean...

What Does the Civic Offer?

As a way to provide you with some concrete examples of differences between these two cars, let's have a look at the 2023 Honda Civic. This is part of the current 11th generation and has many of the latest features and options that Honda provides. For starters, the 2023 Civic is powered by a standard 2.0L I-4 engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. One thing to note, however, is that a more-powerful 1.5L turbocharged engine is available with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque; you'll potentially find both of these engines on used Civics, so keep that in mind.

In terms of interior features, the 2023 Civic has a nicely updated interior since this is the second year for the current generation. That means a seven-inch infotainment display is standard, though an available nine-inch screen can be found in many pre-owned models. Modern amenities like Bluetooth support, compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and wireless connectivity can also be found. Certain trim levels include a wireless charger for compatible phones and even a Bose sound system for upgraded audio quality.

As we said, this is a compact car, so let's take a look at its size. The 2023 Civic is about 184 inches in length and 71 inches in width. Inside, you'll find about 39 inches of front headroom and 42 inches of front legroom, along with 37 inches of headroom in the back. In total, the Civic has 99 cu.ft. of total passenger volume inside the cabin, plus 15 cu.ft. of total trunk space to load up with everything you need. All of this is ideal when you're looking for a used compact car to drive around North Bergen.

How About the Accord?

For the 2023 model year, Honda launched its all-new, 11th-gen Accord, so this is a great car to compare to what the Civic offers. Powering the Accord is a standard 1.5L turbocharged engine with 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. You can see this is more powerful even than the available upgrade for the Civic; this midsize car needs a bit more muscle, but the extra power also makes it incredibly fun to drive. You can even find hybrid models of the Accord with a 2.0L I-4 and motor that delivers 204 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque, as well as incredible fuel efficiency.

Looking inside, Honda went all-in on the interior of the 2023 Accord to make it as well-appointed as possible. Much like the Civic, a seven-inch infotainment display is standard in the 2023 Accord, but there's a much bigger 12.3-inch screen available that you'll find on some used models. A quick look shows that this screen is much larger than what the Civic has to offer. Other niceties you'll find on pre-owned Accords from certain trims include a wireless charging pad, a head-up display, and a Bose sound system to give you a driving experience that's as good as the Civic.

The 2023 Honda Accord measures 196 inches in length and 73 inches in width; you can see this is only two inches wider but about a foot longer than the Civic. Inside, the Accord gives you 40 inches of headroom and 42 inches of legroom up front, with 37 inches of headroom in the back seats; this is essentially the same amount of space as the Civic, but the Accord has 106 cu.ft. of passenger volume and 17 cu.ft. of trunk space, both of which are greater than the compact model.

Which Used Sedan Should You Choose?

So now that we've had a great look at two examples of what the Civic and Accord have to offer, you should have a pretty good sense of which one is right for you. The Civic is a compact car that starts at a lower price while still providing you with solid performance and great options throughout. On the other hand, the Accord is a bit larger, often has more powerful engines, and can have enhanced interior features (depending on the trim you're looking at), but it also costs more in general.

Finally, remember that a big part of this decision will also come down to the models you find when looking at different used cars. So if you like the idea of a Civic but you're struggling to find one with the features you want, and then you see an Accord that has those features at a price that works for you, it could be the better choice.