2020 Honda Civic vs 2019 BMW 3 Series

The 2019 BMW 3 Series maintained its evolutionary design approach, avoiding radical changes and sticking to a classic, timeless look. It was slightly longer and wider than its predecessors, yet retained a compact footprint, making it easy to park and maneuver. The design featured subtle changes, such as the removal of the Hoffmeister kink on the rear doors, but overall, it adhered to the sport sedan design principles with a low hood, short overhangs, and a ground-hugging stance. The front was unmistakably BMW, with LED running lamps and widened kidney grilles, while the tail showcased simplified LED lights. Inside, the 3 Series kept its driver-focused layout, with a digital instrument panel and an optional wireless charging pad. However, some interior materials felt coarse, and the steering wheel was slightly too thick for some tastes.

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a sharp design across its sedan, coupe, and hatchback body styles. The sedan featured an elegant, elongated body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with wide, arcing headlights and large LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The 2019 model year brought updates to the grilles, bumpers, and wheels, which carried over to 2020. The interior was simple yet high-quality, with soft-touch materials and a pleasing design. The Civic Si featured sport seats with red accents, and the hatchback offered new dash accents. Despite some hard plastics, the Civic's interior was well-received for its practicality and style.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series was known for its impressive engine performance, particularly the 330i xDrive model, which 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 power delivery, although it had some turbo lag at low speeds. The M340i model offered a twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, providing near-M3 performance. The 3 Series came with an 8-speed automatic transmission, known for its perfect shifts and intuitive programming. The M Sport package added a lower and firmer suspension, variable-ratio steering, and a widened body kit, enhancing the driving experience. Fuel economy for the 330i xDrive was rated at 25 mpg city, 34 highway, and 28 combined.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport models had a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The EX and higher trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, with the hatchback versions offering 180 horsepower. The Civic Si had a boosted 1.5-liter engine with 205 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, while the Type R boasted 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the Si and Type R offering thrilling driving experiences. Fuel economy for the Civic Si was rated at 26 mpg city, 36 highway, and 30 combined.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series offered a comfortable interior with slightly increased backseat legroom, making it a pleasant space for four passengers. The trunk provided 17 cubic feet of cargo space, accommodating a good amount of luggage. Visibility was excellent in all directions, and the seats, though firm, were supportive for long trips. The controls were intuitive, with a touchscreen infotainment system and easy-to-use climate controls. The addition of USB-C ports and a third climate zone for rear passengers enhanced the overall functionality.

The 2020 Honda Civic provided a roomy interior, especially for rear passengers, with ample space in all directions. The sedan offered 15 cubic feet of trunk space, while the hatchback provided 26 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46 cubic feet with them folded down. The interior featured a conventional PRNDL shifter, a deep center console storage bin, and configurable cupholders. The Civic's interior was practical and well-designed, with two-stage heated outboard seats and a lack of rear air vents being the only notable oversight.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series was equipped with advanced technology, though many features required subscription fees. The iDrive system was highly customizable and intuitive, with live info tiles and over-the-air updates. The navigation system learned driving patterns and adjusted for traffic, while the digital key feature allowed for smartphone-based car access. Gesture control and a personal assistant added to the tech experience, though they were not always reliable. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered advanced safety features, including automatic steering and adaptive cruise control.

The 2020 Honda Civic featured an outdated infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, standard on all models except the base LX. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Garmin-based navigation on top trims. The Civic Si introduced Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and came with a 450-watt stereo, push-button start, and keyless entry. LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot, and Honda Sensing offered active safety features like lane centering and adaptive cruise control.

The 2019 BMW 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests and high marks for its optional laser headlights and standard forward emergency braking. Pedestrian detection was standard, while features like blind-spot monitoring, 360-degree cameras, and adaptive cruise control were optional.

The 2020 Honda Civic received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for all body styles except the Type R, which wasn't tested. It earned top "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA rated the Civic five stars in all categories, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test on the coupe. Honda Sensing provided forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.