Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic: How Do They Measure Up?
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Compact sedans have been popular for as long as we can remember. They always make sense when you require a vehicle with just the right size, and that is easy on the budget. And when it comes to the compact sedan segment, two of the longest natural competitors are the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
As two of the most popular sedans available, the Corolla and Civic continue to dominate the market. If you’re choosing between the Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic, you’ve got some work cut out for you. Today, lucky for you, we compare the 2021 Toyota Corolla and 2021 Honda Civic, so you don’t have to.
Exterior Features
The design of the 2021 Honda Civic can be polarizing. Honda continues to add design refinements to the Civic, and perhaps the most standout design features are the new blackened Honda grille and the sporty blackout headlights. The 2021 Civic is also offered in eight different color options, and this versatility is never a bad thing.
The 2021 Civic comes with LED Daytime Running Lights which gives the driver an uncompromising view of the traffic. The Sport and Sport Touring trims feature 18-inch alloy wheels that successfully tie down the sporty look of the Civic. While the sharp lines and right angles are striking elements, many customers are polarized about the over-styled hatchback design of the Civic.
On the other hand, the 2021 Corolla has a slight upper hand when it comes to exterior styling. Gone are the days when the name “Corolla” meant dullness. The 2021 Corolla just looks more modern and updated when compared to its Civic competitor. It comes with LED taillights and auto on/off headlights for all trims.
If you prefer a more striking design, Corolla is available in Nightshade - unapologetic in its sleekness and aggressiveness. True to its namesake, the Corolla SE Nightshade features a blacked-out grille, wheels, and black accents.
Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic, which one looks better? Although it all comes down to personal preferences, we feel that the Corolla offers more exciting design elements than the Civic.
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Performance and Fuel Economy
Although the 2021 Corolla offered more in terms of visual design, we wish we could say the same about its performance stats. The main culprit here is the Corolla’s underpowered 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, standard for the L, LE, and XLE trims. The base engine delivers 139 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque but isn’t poised to blow anyone’s mind.
The 2.0L performance powertrain, exclusive to S, SE, and XSE models, fared better with 69 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque. The base engine is connected to a CVT transmission while the 2.0L variant is hooked up to a Dynamic-Shift CVT. Interestingly enough, the SE model has an optional six-speed manual gearbox. If you’re looking to add power and extra engagement, the winning combination seems to be the 2.0L and manual gearbox.
The Civic comes out as the more sophisticated performer and, quite frankly, not much of a contest. Under the Hood, the 2021 Civic is equipped with a 2.0L Naturally Aspirated Inline-4 engine that delivers 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the six-speed transmission isn’t available for the 2021 Civic, so drivers will have to settle with the CVT transmission system.
Higher-spec Honda Civics are powered by a 1.5L Inline 4 cylinder turbocharged engine which bumps the stats to 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. If you want the absolute best performance in the segment, the Civic Type R is the definitive choice with a 2.0-liter turbo-four engine and offers 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.
For fuel economy, the Corolla is rated at 29-30/city and 37-39/hwy mpg while the Civic clocks in at 26-30/city and 36-38/hwy mpg. Very similar numbers, but Corolla gets it by a hair.
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Interior Features and Space
The 2021 Honda Civic’s interior can only be described as modern and practical. Even the entry-level trim’s interior doesn’t feel like a compromised box compared to the higher-end models. Both the Civic sedan and hatchback models offer plenty of space for comfort and convenience - some of the roomiest in the segment.
The Civic comfortably accommodates five people with plenty of legroom for both the front and rear seats. If you prefer to have more cargo, the hatchback provides 22.6-25.7 cu-ft of cargo volume and more with the seats folded down.
The 2021 Civic also features soft-touch materials and matte finishes that add a sophisticated feel to the interiors. Lastly, you have the option to upgrade to leather upholstery with the EX-L & Touring trim options.
On the other hand, the 2021 Corolla boasts a clean and minimalist interior design, striking an acceptable compromise between function and form. The streamlined dashboard and soft-touch materials add an airy feel to the cabin. For added comfort, buyers can include extra amenities like ambient lighting, heated front seats, and a dual-zone climate system for certain Corolla trims.
The Corolla seats up to five people, but if you have regular passengers at the back, the sedan version is preferred for more rear legroom. Meanwhile, the Corolla hatchback has the advantage of having 17.8 cu-ft of cargo volume. New in the 2021 Corolla is the ability to forgo the spare tire for a tire repair kit for an additional 5.2 cu-ft of space.
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Infotainment and Safety Features
When it comes to the infotainment race, the Corolla holds the obvious advantage. The base Corolla comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the base Civic only offers a tiny by comparison 5.0-inch display. Higher Corolla models are outfitted with an available 8-inch touchscreen mounted on a high dash with several physical buttons to help keep your eyes on the road.
Corolla’s connectivity is also on-point with standard Bluetooth and USB connectivity, plus Android Auto and Apple CarPlay features. Also, standard connectivity features are Alexa and SiriusXM support, which are included with available onboard Wi-Fi for a free 3-month trial.
On the flip side, the upgraded Civic models sport a smaller 7.0-inch display and are mounted lower on the dash, which is less than ideal. Try to avoid the basic Civic LX trim with its four-speaker audio and 5.0-inch screen due to subpar sound quality and sluggish infotainment system. Also, the LX trim doesn’t include Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integrations, only on higher trims.
Both vehicles received high marks in terms of safety.
The Corolla is an IIHS Top Safety Pick and offers a host of advanced safety and driver-assist features such as forward-collision warning, emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and more. Conversely, the 2021 Civic also offers top-tier safety features under the Honda Sensing umbrella, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, collision mitigation braking, and more.
Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic: Wrapping Up
In terms of pricing, the Civic is more flexible, with a price range from $22,265 for the base trim to $66,700 for the limited Type R hatchback. Meanwhile, the 2021 Corolla starts at about $20,025 for the base to $29,724 for the XSE Apex Edition.
As you can see, this Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic matchup is fairly neck-to-neck. This will come down to which factors you value more. If performance is at the top of your list, the Civic is the clear victor. However, if you want a more affordable vehicle with better infotainment tech, the Corolla comes out on top.
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