2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 BMW 3 Series

In the Look and Feel department, the 2019 Honda Civic offered a blend of upscale style and functional design. It featured a new gloss-black upper grille, a revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. The sedan's silhouette was graceful and reminiscent of an Audi A7, balancing a long hood with a sizable cabin and short tail, accented with unique wraparound LED lights. The Touring-trim test car came with chrome door handles and LED headlights that looked like tiny crystals and provided impressive brightness. The introduction of the new Sport trim brought a center-mounted exhaust and exterior features similar to the performance-oriented Si trim, but at a lower cost. The Civic Hatchback variant, while aggressive with a tall rear end, and the Coupe model provided more balanced alternatives, with unique color options such as lime green or flat bluish gray making the Civic noticeable in traffic. The interior maintained a high-tech, yet simplified, theme with a central LCD screen for the tachometer and speedometer and a clean center stack with minimal buttons. The fit and finish felt high-quality, despite the rear doors having hard plastic surfaces compared to the padded ones up front.

In contrast, the 2020 BMW 3 Series was designed to leave a lasting impression similar to the awe-inspiring humpback whales. Its aquatic appearance was achieved through lidded headlights, a bulging curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and an oversized grille. The price tag was substantial, with a base 330i starting at $40,750 and the M340i with additional options reaching up to $69,570. Interior personalization was a key feature, with various colors and materials available. The off-white Ivory leather in the test car contrasted with the otherwise black cabin and the Tanzanite Blue exterior paint, showcasing BMW's commitment to quality and aesthetics. The interior design exuded purpose and quality, contributing to a luxurious experience.

For performance, the 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options. The LX and Sport sedans and coupes came with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. Standard on the sedans was a 6-speed manual transmission, while the coupe's manual was standard only on the Sport trim. Higher trims received a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, coupled with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hatchback featured the turbo engine across all trims, delivering 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport. For enthusiasts, the Si and Type R models offered 205 hp and 306 hp, respectively, from turbocharged engines, providing exhilarating driving experiences with exclusive stick shifts. The Civic's handling and steering were superb, capable of gripping the pavement confidently and managing a balance between sportiness and comfort.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series, particularly the M340i trim, excelled in driving dynamics. With a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder engine delivering 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, combined with BMW’s rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the M340i provided an enthralling driving experience. Significant structural and suspension improvements contributed to its handling prowess, with variable sport steering enhancing its responsiveness. While the standard 8-speed automatic transmission marked a departure from manual transmissions, it allowed for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 4.1 seconds. The M340i's engineering package—including the M Sport differential and substantial M Sport brakes—ensured a delightful performance for any driving enthusiast, making the automatic transmission a worthy addition for daily driving.

In terms of form and function, the 2019 Honda Civic improved its user experience with the addition of a volume knob and shortcut buttons for the infotainment system, addressing previous criticisms. The interior design remained largely unchanged, preserving its functionality. The steering wheel controlled a central display with quick access to essential functions. The rear seat offered surprising roominess, with optional heated seats and passable head- and legroom. Cargo space varied by body style: the sedan provided up to 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, while the coupe offered 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet. The hatchback, being the most spacious, accommodated up to 25.7 cubic feet, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Visibility was excellent, particularly in the sedan, though the best LED headlights were available only on Touring trims.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured supportive front seats that held occupants firmly during spirited driving while ensuring comfort for long trips. The test car included high-quality leather, front-seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat entry and exit were challenging, but the seats provided excellent support. BMW's tradition of cryptic controls persisted, with some functions integrated into the climate controls and the digital instrumentation resembling a video game. However, the widescreen infotainment system was well-integrated, and the latest iDrive version offered intuitive operation. The trunk space measured 17 cubic feet, appearing narrow but deep, challenging the claim that it held more cargo than a typical family sedan.

In the technology department, the 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system felt dated compared to Honda's newer interfaces. While the Android-based system was satisfactory in 2016, it had since been surpassed. However, it retained standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the Garmin-based navigation system provided quick and accurate voice-based input. The 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring trim had improved, reducing rattling during bass-heavy songs. Honda's LaneWatch system, a camera displaying the right-side blind spot, was available on certain trims.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series had evolved significantly since its initial release. Its latest iDrive system combined a touchscreen display, natural voice recognition, and gesture control with the traditional knob and buttons. The touchscreen operated like a smartphone, with intuitive menu pathways. Gesture control allowed volume adjustments and radio station changes with simple hand movements. The "Hey, BMW" voice recognition system responded to natural commands for navigation, climate control, and more. The head-up display was visible even with polarized sunglasses, marking a significant improvement in usability.

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

To equip the 2020 BMW 3 Series with the latest advanced driving assistance systems, buyers needed to opt for the Driving Assistance packages. While accurate, these systems sometimes lacked smoothness. However, the abrupt lane-keeping assist system seemed fitting for the ultimate driving machine. The BMW 3 Series received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS when equipped with adaptive full LED headlights, showcasing its readiness to protect occupants in the event of a collision.