2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a compact car with a level of engineering excellence typically found in more expensive brands like BMW. It came in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and 4-door hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its small footprint. The sedan featured a sleek roofline similar to the coupe, with body panel creases and wide, arcing headlights accentuating its low and wide stance. The 2019 model year had already upgraded the grilles, bumpers, and wheels, and these enhancements carried over into 2020. The Civic Si sedan and coupe received new matte-black 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and an updated grille, among other refinements. The hatchback also benefited from new bumper and light changes, plus new wheels in gray or black.

Inside, the Civic's simple yet high-quality interior featured soft-touch rubbers and high-quality switchgear. The 2020 model introduced three new dash accents on the hatchback and a thin red line accenting the instrument panel on the Si, which also got revised sport seats with red bands. The interior was visually stimulating without a hint of cheapness, with more gloss-black trim on the steering wheel and dash, a metal shift knob, and a pulsing red glow of the start button adding to the appeal.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, moved away from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the S-Class and C-Class. For 2021, the E-Class received a slightly edgier front design with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear featured horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. New bumpers with bigger air intakes, new exhaust tips, and new wheels were the major changes. The standing hood ornament on the sedans and wagons was discontinued, a classic Mercedes look that was replaced by a more popular Sport style featuring a giant star in the grille.

Inside, the E-Class cabin was a luxurious space filled with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber. The black monolith on the dash revealed two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and brilliant color. For 2021, the instrument panel switched to a standard digital display, and all steering wheels were new, featuring touch-sensitive controls and additional screens. The E-Class interior was unmatched in its price range, offering a blend of decadence and modernity that was both lavish and functional.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. Higher trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 engine producing 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with the hatchback versions in Sport or Sport Touring trims making 180 hp. The Civic Si, with a boosted 1.5-liter engine, delivered 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the Type R offered an impressive 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Si and Type R were exclusively available with a manual transmission.

The Civic's engines were known for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine preferred for its mid-range acceleration. The Si model featured adaptive dampers that minimized body roll, making it a thrill to drive without compromising comfort. The Type R, despite its power, remained composed and balanced. Fuel economy was also commendable, with most Civic models achieving at least 30 mpg city and up to 42 mpg highway.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the E450 model, which became a hybrid. The new 3.0-liter I6 engine, with a single turbo and a 48-volt electrical system, produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, with an additional 21 hp and 184 lb-ft available from the electric starter-generator. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, boosting output to 429 hp and 384 lb-ft. The AMG E63 S, with a hand-built 4.0-liter V8, delivered a staggering 603 hp and 627 lb-ft.

The E-Class offered a range of driving experiences, from the brisk acceleration of the AMG E53 to the supercar-like performance of the E63 S. The E450's hybrid system provided nearly vibration-free starts and restarts, while the AMG models featured variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased AWD for a balanced and comfortable ride. Fuel economy varied, with the E450 4Matic achieving 26 mpg combined and the AMG E63 S rated at 18 mpg combined.

The 2020 Honda Civic's interior featured a volume knob and better cupholders, with the hatchback models receiving additional sound insulation. The EX hatchback offered an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The three-spoke steering wheel had controls for the central display and instrument panel, while the center console provided configurable storage options. The Civic's rear seats were roomy, though lacking rear air vents, and the trunk offered 15 cubic feet of cargo space in the sedan, 12 cubic feet in the coupe, and up to 46 cubic feet in the hatchback.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom. The coupe's rear seats were comfortable, while the convertible's were less so due to the folding soft top. The wagon offered a stowable rear-facing jump seat and up to 64 cubic feet of cargo space. The sedan provided 13 cubic feet of trunk space, and the two-door models had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was outdated, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on all models except the base LX. It included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Garmin-based navigation on top-end trims. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. Honda Sensing, with active lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and auto high beams, was standard on all models.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced MBUX, a more user-friendly infotainment system with a touchscreen interface. It featured natural voice processing, online searches, and a live feed from the front camera for navigation. Optional extras included massaging seats, seat kinetics, and a wireless phone charger. The system did not update over-the-air, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless. The E-Class also offered advanced driving assists and customizable instrument cluster displays.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency forward braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with the exception of four stars in the passenger frontal crash rating on the coupe.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the sedan. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were considered equally safe. The E-Class featured advanced safety innovations, including Pre-Safe Sound, side bolsters that inflate during a side collision, and countermeasures for crosswinds. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.