2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Subaru WRX

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as luxurious as some of its competitors, still managed to present an upscale style with its gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. Its silhouette was graceful, reminiscent of an Audi A7, with a long hood balancing a sizable cabin and short tail. The Touring-trim featured chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, offered unique paint options that stood out in traffic. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen and minimal buttons, ensuring a high-quality fit and finish.

In contrast, the 2020 Subaru WRX was known for its aggressive styling, with a wider stance, lower front splitter, and a large functional air intake. The STI version took it further with a large rear wing and additional aerodynamic components. Despite these sporty touches, the non-STI version could be a sleeper, surprising those unfamiliar with its performance capabilities. The cabin, while functional, was considered somewhat pedestrian for a new car in 2021. The WRX's design focused on practicality, with excellent visibility and a straightforward dash layout, making it easy to use and providing ample storage.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine, available on higher trims, delivered 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with the Hatchback Sport variant reaching 180 hp. The Si and Type R models pushed performance further, with the Si's 1.5-liter engine producing 205 hp and the Type R's 2.0-liter engine delivering an impressive 306 hp. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmission was highly regarded, while the CVT impressed with its ability to simulate gear ratios effectively. The Civic's handling was superb, with excellent steering feel and a suspension that balanced comfort and sportiness.

The 2020 Subaru WRX featured a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Power was sent to symmetrical all-wheel drive through a standard six-speed manual transmission, with an optional CVT featuring Subaru’s SI-DRIVE and paddle shifters. The manual transmission provided a precise and smooth driving experience, while the CVT offered a more responsive AWD system. The WRX excelled in power delivery, with minimal turbo lag and impressive cornering abilities. The WRX STI variant, with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivered 310 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, along with Brembo brakes and a stiffer suspension for enhanced cornering. However, the WRX's taut handling resulted in a rough ride, especially on imperfect roads.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, providing quick access to various functions. The rear seat offered surprising roominess, with optional heated outboard seats and adequate head- and legroom for long trips. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 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 excellent in all directions.

The 2020 Subaru WRX's sedan layout offered excellent sightlines, with good rear and side visibility. The cabin featured a simple dash layout with easy-to-use controls and plenty of storage compartments. The first-row seating provided ample space, while the rear seat was adequate for adults on short trips. The WRX's 12 cubic feet of cargo space was limited compared to other compact sedans but comparable to sports cars with similar performance.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while dated compared to newer Honda models, offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout, with quick and accurate voice-based input. The 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring trim provided improved sound quality. Honda's LaneWatch feature, available on certain trims, offered a live feed of the blind spot, enhancing safety.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came with a 6.5-inch or 7-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring the Starlink system, which was user-friendly and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The WRX also had a digital display in the instrument panel and a digital information screen atop the dash, providing key driver information in multiple locations. While not the latest system, it offered all necessary tech features without being overwhelming.

The 2019 Honda Civic included Honda Sensing as standard on most trims, offering forward-collision alert, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came with standard airbags, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The optional EyeSight suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The WRX earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, making it a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick.