This is the showdown you've been waiting for. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are the undisputed kings of small sedans. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are natural rivals, two inexpensive, fuel-efficient small cars from manufacturers with well-deserved dependability records. They've sold millions of cars between them, and the competition between the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2021 Toyota Corolla hasn't been diluted by new rivals or new types of small cars. They're still two of the most popular automobiles in the United States.
Which is the superior option? The newest Corolla sedan gets a new lease of life to go along with its superb value, while the Civic remains cool despite a makeover that adds more basic safety features and refines its styling. Toyota's newest Corolla was debuted for the 2020 model year, while Honda recently announced that the 11th-generation Civic will be discontinued in 2022. Should you purchase a Honda Civic or a Toyota Corolla in 2022? Continue reading to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each.
You may have narrowed down your car shopping list to these two outstanding contenders as the 2022 models arrive. But before you make a decision, check out our comparison of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla for 2022. You'll discover that the quicker, roomier, and more attractive automobile is also more costly and may be less dependable.
8 Exterior
The Civic's elegant body has been tamed from the previous generation's wild turmoil. It's been softened in a manner that doesn't take away from its allure. That's particularly true on the interior, where a simple design is accented with a metal filigree band that conceals air vents and elevates it beyond the game-boy stereotype.
The Corolla has become the outcast: It's a total role reversal, yet unlike the C-HR, the Toyota is designed with flares and fillips that don't fatigue the eyes. Its inside is no longer a Rubbermaid haven; instead, it is stark. (Because the Corolla hatchback lacks a direct Honda competitor, we'll limit our remarks to four-doors.)
7 Powertrain
In one important sense, the Corolla outperforms the Civic. While 169-hp inline-4 powers the Corolla Hybrid's basic vehicles, it borrows Prius efficiency and wraps it in a more traditional Corolla form. We're comfortable with its slow acceleration because of the Corolla Hybrid's 52-mpg combined EPA gas economy estimate. Even while it rides and handles less smoothly than the Civic, it's still a joy to drive, never bobbly or heavy.
The Civic has a quicker 1.5-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine under the hood, and it has 180 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The 2.0-liter normally aspirated inline-four in the Toyota Corolla, on the other hand, makes 169 horsepower and has a 0-60 time of 8.2 seconds.
6 Driving Characteristics
The Civic triumphs over the competition in terms of handling, cabin noise, and ride quality in terms of driving characteristics. Both sedans have considerable cabin noise, so it's a tight decision. On the other hand, the Civic has a better-weighted steering wheel and superior handling in corners, enabling it to edge out the Toyota Corolla.
The Corolla outperforms the Civic in terms of braking distance. On the other hand, Honda outperforms the competition in fuel economy, gaining an additional two mpg in city driving.
5 Front Seat Comfort
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Although the Civic provides much greater rear-seat legroom (particularly when comparing hatchback variations), those in the front seats may prefer the Corolla. The Toyota's seats are well-padded and supportive, and they remain pleasant even after a lengthy trip.
The Civic's bucket seats aren't nearly as comfortable. Both the Civic and the Corolla have enough room for four persons and their belongings. Although Toyota's standard seats are superior to Honda's, the Civic's heavily bolstered leather bucket seats are almost ideal (lumbar support, please?). The trunk of the Corolla is a little smaller, but it's still rather helpful.
4 Interior
Inside, both of these sedans are a tad loud, but that's to be expected in this market. The interior of the Honda, on the other hand, becomes very loud when the vehicle is traveling over difficult terrain, and occupants will realize when the engine is working hard. The Corolla's engine can also become a touch thrashy at higher RPMs, and wind noise is noticeable at higher speeds, but it's quieter than the Civic on broken pavement and in most scenarios.
The new Civic has a larger wheelbase than the Corolla (107.7 vs. 106.3 inches), which benefits interior space. The legroom in the Honda is 42.3 inches in the front and 37.4 inches in the rear, compared to 42.0 and 34.8 inches in the Corolla. The Civic also boasts a larger trunk than the Corolla, with 14.8 cubic feet against 13.1 cubic feet.
3 Unique Options
The Corolla has long been one of the highest selling models in the world, and, unlike the Civic, can be equipped with a very efficient hybrid drivetrain. Although the Honda Insight might be considered a hybrid Civic, it begins at $26,225, compared to $24,675 for the Corolla Hybrid. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid gets 53/52 mpg city/highway and has a total range of 593 miles, and it also has an Intellichoice value rating of Excellent.
Due to its independent rear suspension, the Civic is a confident and cooperative driver. It's one of the few cheap compacts that's enjoyable to drive. The ride quality is also outstanding, smoothing out bumps and ruts that were noticeable in the Corolla. The Civic is also faster to 60 mph, while the Civic Si and Civic Type R are two performance variations.
2 Tech and Safety
Both the Civic and the Corolla come standard with their respective manufacturers' driver-assist active safety suites—Toyota Safety Sense and Honda Sensing—but the Honda's is more spectacular. The Honda Sensing package in the new Civic feels more like a Tesla Autopilot or GM Super Cruise, showing all the cars around you on the instrument cluster display and offering steering assistance to keep you centered in the lane.
To put it simply, the Corolla seems a few years behind the competition. Across the board, the Civic seems more evolved. The Civic's fully digital instrument cluster is more impressive than the Corolla's half analog half digital setup. The Civic has two rear USB ports versus the Corolla's one awkwardly positioned in the center armrest. Civic has a large 9.0-inch infotainment display versus Corolla's 8.0-inch system.
1 The Verdict
As we said in our previous testing of the new Civic versus the current Corolla, the Honda triumphed. What are our last words? "The Honda seems to be a more mature vehicle—quieter, it's comfier, more sophisticated, and has more of everything. In the small car market, it has a distinct luxury sense. The previous Civic was the finest of its class, and the 11th-generation model improved on it. The competition is a long way behind." They're now neck-and-neck, but after safety testing is through, the 2022 Honda Civic will pull away from the Toyota Corolla by a large margin. Even with the lower overall TCC Rating, the competent, affordable, and high-economy Corolla Hybrid is a great option if efficiency is important.
Both of these compact cars are worth taking a look at and driving. The 2022 Honda Civic seems and feels like the winner in this comparison at first sight. However, the Toyota Corolla is less expensive and more dependable, which may influence your selection.