2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class vs 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, a compact car that competed with the likes of the Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla, underwent subtle styling tweaks that year. The redesign included body-color crossbars on the air intakes, a new grille, and smoked headlights, which gave it a more refined appearance. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint, stood out with its glossy black detailing, often mistaken for the more aggressive Type R model. Inside, the Civic offered stitched leather on the steering wheel and quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The six-speed manual gearbox, previously exclusive to the Sport trim, was now available in the Sport Touring, priced at $28,980, making it a more affordable alternative to the Type R.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class maintained a similar exterior design to its predecessor but boasted a drag coefficient of 0.22, making it more aerodynamic than a Toyota Prius. The S-Class was slightly larger in all dimensions, with a longer wheelbase, adding to its imposing presence. The classic Mercedes hood ornament and grille added a touch of luxury, while the standard 19-inch wheels could be upgraded to 20-inch or 21-inch options. The interior was centered around the infotainment touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, with a minimalist design that eliminated the rotary controller and round air vents. The ambient lighting system, with 250 LED elements and 64 color options, added a futuristic touch, while the Nappa leather upholstery and open-pore wood trim exuded luxury. However, the piano-black trim was prone to smudging and reflections, detracting from the overall experience.

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 the LX, EX, and EX-L trims, while the Sport and Sport Touring trims offered a slightly higher output of 180 horsepower. Torque was rated at 162 pound-feet with the CVT and 177 lb-ft with the manual transmission. The Civic Hatchback provided a refined and quiet driving experience, with a softer ride and wider seats compared to the Civic Si. It was also more fuel-efficient, achieving 32 mpg in combined driving, with a real-world test result of 32.7 mpg. While not as performance-oriented as the Si, the Civic Hatchback was still enjoyable to drive, offering a balance of comfort and excitement.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class offered two engine options: the S500 4Matic with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, and the S580 4Matic with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generating 496 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Both models featured a nine-speed automatic transmission and the EQ Boost mild-hybrid system, which added 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for short bursts. The S500 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, while the S580 achieved the same in 4.4 seconds. The S-Class came with standard air suspension and optional E-Active Body Control, as well as rear-wheel steering for improved maneuverability. Despite some wind noise at highway speeds, the S-Class maintained composure on twisty roads, with precise steering and minimal body roll in Sport and Sport+ modes.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a practical alternative to SUVs, 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 Hatchback provided better acceleration and fuel efficiency. The driver's seat was low, but the heated leather front seats in the Sport Touring trim offered ample thigh support. The center console featured a versatile storage area with a sliding armrest, tray, and cupholders. Rear-seat comfort was good, though passengers lacked air-conditioning vents and had to contend with dark tinted glass.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class provided more front and rear headroom, as well as rear legroom, compared to its predecessor. It also offered segment-leading shoulder room, enhancing the sense of spaciousness. Cargo space increased to 12.9 cubic feet, though it remained less than other luxury sedans. The front seats, with 19 motors for adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage, were exceptionally comfortable. The center console included a large storage bin and a wireless phone charger, while rear-seat passengers enjoyed a console with cupholders and climate controls. The optional Executive Line package added power-adjustable rear seats and four-zone climate control, making the S-Class suitable for chauffeur service.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a stylish dashboard with digital instrumentation and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all but the LX trim. The Sport Touring trim included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, a navigation system, and a 12-speaker premium sound system. While the Civic lacked a tuning knob and advanced voice-recognition technology, it offered automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock for added convenience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED central touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The updated MBUX infotainment system offered increased computing power and relied more on the touchscreen. The S-Class also featured an augmented-reality head-up display, a 30-speaker Burmester audio system, and a rear-seat infotainment setup. While some tech features were well-executed, others, like the steering-wheel touchpads, were less intuitive. The S-Class allowed drivers to set up personal profiles with biometric or facial recognition, and rear-seat occupants could send navigation directions to the main screen.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback came standard with the Honda Sensing suite, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the system lacked refinement, and the Civic did not offer blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert. The 2020 Civic Hatchback did not earn a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS due to poor headlight performance, though it received top marks for crash-test performance.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class featured a comprehensive array of safety features, including an industry-first rear-passenger airbag. Standard driver-assist features included adaptive cruise control, automated lane centering, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and a 360-degree camera system. Mercedes claimed improvements in traffic-sign recognition and lane-keep assist, and the S-Class' driver-assist tech performed better than most competitors. However, crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS were not available for the S-Class.