2019 Honda Civic vs 2019 BMW 3 Series

The 2019 BMW 3 Series maintained its evolutionary design approach, avoiding major transformations seen in competitors like Mercedes-Benz and Lexus. This model, slightly longer and wider than its predecessor, retained a compact footprint, making it easy to park and maneuver. The signature Hoffmeister kink was subtly altered, and the sport sedan design elements, such as the low hood, short overhangs, and ground-hugging stance, remained intact. The front featured recognizable BMW elements, including hard-edged half-circle LED running lamps and widened kidney grilles. The tail showcased simplified LED lights, though some felt it resembled the new Kia Forte. Inside, the 3 Series kept its driver-focused layout, with a digital instrument panel and optional wireless charging pad. However, some materials, like the coarse door toppers, were less impressive.

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the Mazda3, brought its own upscale flair with a new gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. The sedan's silhouette was graceful, with a long hood balancing the sizable cabin and short tail. The Touring trim featured chrome door handles and LED headlights resembling tiny crystals. The new Sport trim added a center-mounted exhaust and exterior flash similar to the Si trim. The Civic Hatchback had a tall, aggressive rear end, while the Coupe offered a more balanced look. Inside, the Civic maintained a high-tech, simplified theme with a central LCD screen, minimal buttons, and clean lines. The fit and finish were high quality, with tight panel gaps and durable switchgear.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series, particularly the 330i xDrive, featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. This engine was praised for its smoothness and torque, though it had more turbo lag at low speeds. The M340i variant, with a twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine, delivered near-M3 performance with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. The 330i's 8-speed automatic transmission was noted for its perfect shifts and intuitive programming. The M Sport package added a lower, firmer suspension, staggered summer tires, and variable-ratio steering. Fuel economy for the 330i xDrive was EPA-rated at 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline-4 producing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft. The hatchback models exclusively used the turbo engine, making 180 hp in the Sport trim. The Si variant boosted the 1.5-liter engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the Type R delivered 306 hp and 295 lb-ft from a 2.0-liter engine. The Civic's CVT was praised for its smooth operation, and the manual transmissions were noted for their excellent feel. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension setup made it enjoyable to drive, even with all-season tires.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series offered a spacious backseat with improved legroom and a 17-cubic-foot trunk. Visibility was good, and the seats were firm yet supportive. The infotainment system, head-up display, and instrument clusters were intuitive and easy to operate. The main screen was now a touchscreen, supporting various gestures, and the climate controls included a third zone for rear passengers. USB-C ports were also available.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, addressing previous usability issues. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, and analog gauges flanked the screen. The rear seat was surprisingly roomy, with optional heated outboard seats. Cargo space was significant, with the sedan offering up to 15.1 cubic feet, the coupe 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet, and the hatchback up to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The center console provided ample storage, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series boasted extensive technology, though many features required subscription fees. The iDrive system was customizable and updated over the air. The navigation system learned driving patterns and adjusted for traffic. Gesture control and a personal assistant similar to Amazon's Alexa were included, though they were not always reliable. The BMW Connected App allowed remote start, and the Driving Assistance Professional Package offered advanced features like automatic steering and evasive steering assist.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while good in 2016, felt dated compared to newer Honda models. However, it included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo was improved, and Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the right-side blind spot. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout, with better graphics and quick, accurate voice input.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series was a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests and for its optional laser headlights and standard forward emergency braking. Pedestrian detection was standard, and optional features included blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Traffic Jam Assist.

The 2019 Honda Civic included Honda Sensing as standard on all trims except the Si and Type R. This package offered forward-collision alert with emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS rated the Civic with top Good ratings in all crash tests and Superior for crash-prevention features. The NHTSA awarded the Civic five stars in all categories, except for four stars in the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash rating.