2020 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Honda Civic

The 2020 BMW 3 Series had a certain resemblance to majestic marine creatures I once observed during my time as a deckhand on a whale-watching boat in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The vehicle's design elements, like the lidded headlights, curved hood, wide lower air intakes, and oversized grille, gave it an almost aquatic appearance. Despite some minor criticisms, the new M340i trim made up for these through its driving experience, rich features, and compelling design.

Pricing was a different story, though. Starting at $40,750 for the base 330i and rising to $56,000 for the M340i with xDrive all-wheel-drive, the test vehicle added $14,000 in options, totaling $69,570. These figures could be intimidating, but the performance and quality paid off. The interior, highlighted by contrasting off-white Ivory leather and a Tanzanite Blue paint, offered customization and a sense of luxury. Combined with its significantly improved quality, BMW's sticker prices seemed more palatable.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda Civic heralded a long legacy of segment-defining designs, notable for its regular design reinventions every ten years since 1973. The 2021 edition continued to impress with the four-door sedan, five-door hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats. The Civic coupe and Civic Si were on hiatus, marking a transition year as anticipation built for the 2022 redesign.

Pricing for the Civic was far more wallet-friendly, beginning at $21,250 and capping at $28,300, excluding destination charges. Our test model, a Touring sedan with Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, came to $29,690. The Civic remained visually impactful, its bold 2016 redesign still evoking love-it-or-hate-it reactions. However, with over a million on the road, familiarity had certainly bred acceptance.

The Civic's design, especially in Touring trim with Cosmic Blue paint, stood out with handsome 18-inch wheels, although its appearance could vary drastically depending on lighting and angles. Interiors also showed signs of aging but maintained quality materials, adventurous design, and thoughtful details, continuing its reputation as a trendsetter.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series made significant strides from its previous generation, particularly in driving dynamics. While its 2012 redesign had underwhelmed with electrically assisted steering, BMW fixed this by 2016. The latest version introduced structural and suspension enhancements, adding to rigidity, reducing unsprung mass, and incorporating new lift-related dampers and M Adaptive components, resulting in an exhilarating driving experience.

The M340i trim, featuring a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, offered formidable performance. An xDrive all-wheel-drive system, M Sport differential, and massive M Sport brakes, along with variable sport steering, made the M340i a driving enthusiast's joy. Although it came equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission, it could sprint to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds. Despite the absence of a manual option, this automatic transmission, combined with paddle shifters, proved remarkably efficient and engaging for daily driving and spirited sessions alike.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered varied performance based on trim. The entry-level LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). This setup was adequate unless one experienced the more potent turbocharged version.

The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, standard on EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, starting from 1,700 rpm. While a six-speed manual or dual-clutch transmission would have enhanced the experience, the sophisticated suspension and steering made the Civic enjoyable to drive. The Touring trim’s 18-inch wheels added to its prowess. However, the CVT posed some challenges, from a sloppy shift lever feel to potential droning. Despite these downsides, it helped achieve commendable fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile journey.

The interior of the 2020 BMW 3 Series combined simplicity and support in its front seats, which proved comfortable even during long drives. High-quality leather, seat heaters, and a heated steering wheel prepared it for winter, though the lack of ventilated seats was a drawback during summer heat. The rear seats, while comfortable, posed challenges in entry and exit, especially for those with less agile physiques.

BMW's controls had some quirks, such as integrated climate controls and modernized instrumentation. Nevertheless, the widescreen infotainment system and top-tier iDrive version made the overall system intuitive and efficient. Storage was generous, with a substantial trunk space measured at 17 cubic feet, although the compartment’s narrowness could be inconvenient for larger items.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic had a low seating position which required a bit of effort to get in and out. Upfront, the driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustments, though the front passenger could benefit from a height adjuster. Leather upholstery came standard from the EX-L trim up, and the rear offered decent space, albeit without air conditioning vents for rear passengers.

The Civic stood out in practicality, particularly with the center console’s clever storage solutions. The trunk, measuring 15.1 cubic feet, was also spacious, though the Touring's premium sound system reduced this slightly to 14.7 cubic feet.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series featured the latest iDrive infotainment system, a significant evolution from its original controversial version. It offered multiple interaction methods, including a touchscreen, natural voice recognition, and gesture controls, along with traditional knob and buttons. While the console's minimalist design might have made controls less intuitive by touch, the system's smartphone-like interface proved easy to navigate.

Gesture control, though optional, allowed volume and station changes through simple finger movements. The voice recognition system was sophisticated, capable of comprehending natural commands for various functions. The latest head-up display was also a notable feature, visible even with polarized sunglasses.

Technologically, the 2021 Honda Civic lagged. The base LX trim provided minimal tech features, featuring a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a basic USB port. The Civic Sport improved matters with an upgraded infotainment system, featuring a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. Higher trims added features like HD Radio, SiriusXM, and premium audio systems.

However, the Touring trim's voice recognition system was rudimentary, requiring specific commands, which made using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for their advanced capabilities.

The 2020 BMW 3 Series had advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) available through two option packages. These systems proved accurate but could lack smoothness. The car's driving dynamics made extensive use of ADAS less appealing, though the lane-keeping assist system was notably assertive. The 3 Series achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS with adaptive full LED headlights.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of ADAS features including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping systems. LaneWatch was also available from the EX trim, monitoring the right lane through a camera. While effective, it presented challenges by splitting driver attention between the screen and the mirror.

Honda Sensing's performance could be unrefined, causing occasional abrupt responses. Nevertheless, the Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS for Touring trim and five-star ratings across all NHTSA assessments, indicating robust safety.