2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, following a redesign half a decade prior, continued to evolve with subtle styling tweaks. The changes included body-color crossbars on the air intakes, a new grille, and smoked headlights, which collectively refined its appearance. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint, stood out with glossy black detailing, often mistaken for the more aggressive Type R. Inside, the Civic offered stitched leather on the steering wheel and quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The six-speed manual gearbox, now available with the Sport Touring trim, added to the driving experience, making it a compelling choice despite its higher price point compared to the base model.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced the previous year, marked BMW's first foray into front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, it was a four-door sedan with a traditional trunk, offering a more affordable entry into the BMW brand. The 2 Series Gran Coupe came in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive AWD optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, equipped with the M Sport Package and other premium features, presented a sophisticated appearance with large LED headlights and a tapering roofline. Inside, it adhered to BMW's modern design with geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and upscale materials, making it feel more luxurious than its entry-level status suggested.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, particularly in Sport and Sport Touring trims, was equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. This powertrain delivered 174 horsepower in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque varied depending on the transmission, with 162 lb-ft for the CVT and 177 lb-ft for the manual. The Civic Hatchback's engine was quiet and refined, providing ample power for its front-wheel-drive setup. While not as performance-oriented as the Civic Si, the Hatchback offered a more compliant ride, wider seats, and a quieter cabin, making it enjoyable for daily driving. It achieved an EPA rating of 32 mpg in combined driving, with real-world testing showing 32.7 mpg.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, specifically the 228i xDrive, featured a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. This engine, paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and AWD, offered a zero-to-60 mph time of six seconds. The Gran Coupe's performance was enhanced by features like brake-fade compensation, cornering brake control, and multiple driving modes. The M Sport Package added M Sport steering, which was swift and direct, enhancing the driving experience. Despite its firm suspension, the Gran Coupe felt glued to the road, and it achieved 27.9 mpg on the testing loop, slightly better than the EPA's estimate.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback offered practicality with 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly more than the Honda HR-V Touring. While it couldn't match the HR-V's maximum volume, the Civic's acceleration and fuel efficiency were superior. The driver's seat was low, but the Sport Touring's heated leather seats provided comfort, though the passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The center console storage was versatile, with a sliding armrest and cupholders. Rear seat comfort was good, but the lack of air-conditioning vents and tinted glass made it less ideal for passengers.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, while practical for two, struggled with rear seat accessibility and comfort. The front seats were snug and comfortable, but the rear seats required contortion to access, and space was limited. The trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, with a 40/20/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the Gran Coupe's design did not provide the same cargo flexibility as the larger 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a 12-speaker premium sound system in the Sport Touring trim. While it lacked a tuning knob and advanced voice recognition, it included automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock, adding convenience and peace of mind.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display, and the Premium Package upgraded it to a 10.25-inch digital display. The infotainment system, with iDrive 7.0 technology, included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a premium sound system. The system was user-friendly, with multiple control options and responsive software. A head-up display was also available, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback included the Honda Sensing suite, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. However, the system showed some refinement issues, and the Civic lacked blind-spot monitoring. The Civic did not earn a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS due to poor headlight performance, but it received top marks for crash-test performance.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered the Active Driving Assistant, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and active blind-spot warning. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.