2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2020 Subaru WRX

The 2020 Subaru WRX, originally a performance variant of the Subaru Impreza, had evolved into its own model by 2015. By 2020, it retained its aggressive styling with a wider stance, lower front splitter, rear deck spoiler, and functional air intake. The WRX STI version took it further with a large rear wing and additional aerodynamic components. Despite its sporty exterior, the non-STI version maintained a somewhat understated look, surprising those unfamiliar with its performance capabilities. The interior, while functional, was considered a bit plain for a new car in 2021.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, redesigned half a decade prior, received subtle styling tweaks for 2020, including new grille and headlight designs. The Sport Touring trim, with its Platinum White Pearl paint and glossy black detailing, garnered admiration for its appearance. Inside, the Sport Touring trim featured stitched leather, soft surfaces, 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, offering a more engaging driving experience.

The 2020 Subaru WRX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer-four engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a six-speed manual transmission, with an optional CVT featuring Subaru’s SI-DRIVE and paddle shifters. The AWD system varied by transmission, with the manual offering a 50:50 torque split and the CVT a 45:55 split. The WRX STI, with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, delivered 310 horsepower and 290 pound-feet of torque, along with Brembo brakes and a stiffer suspension for enhanced cornering.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, produced 174 horsepower in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 horsepower in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque was 162 pound-feet with the CVT and 177 pound-feet with the six-speed manual. The Civic Hatchback offered a quieter, more refined ride compared to the Civic Si, with a softer suspension and wider seats. Despite its less aggressive setup, the Civic Hatchback remained fun to drive, delivering 32.7 mpg in combined driving during testing.

The 2020 Subaru WRX offered excellent visibility thanks to its simple sedan layout, large windshield, and slanted hood. The cabin featured a straightforward dash layout with easy-to-use controls and ample storage. Front-row seating provided plenty of space, while the rear seats were adequate for adults on shorter trips. The WRX’s 12 cubic feet of cargo space was modest compared to other compact sedans but comparable to sports cars.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback boasted 25.2 cubic feet of cargo space, surpassing the Honda HR-V Touring. While it didn’t match the HR-V for maximum volume, the Civic Hatchback offered better acceleration and fuel efficiency. The driver’s seat provided ample thigh support, though the passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The center console featured a versatile storage area with a sliding armrest, tray, and cupholders. Rear-seat comfort was good, but the lack of air-conditioning vents and dark tinted glass could make it uncomfortable in hot weather.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, upgradeable to a 7-inch screen. The Starlink infotainment system included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offering a user-friendly experience. The WRX also featured a digital display in the instrument panel and a digital information screen atop the dash, providing key driver information in multiple locations.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system in all but the LX trim, with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 12-speaker premium sound system in the Sport Touring trim. The Civic Hatchback also included automatic climate control and Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock. However, the infotainment system lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The optional EyeSight suite included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The WRX earned top marks from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback included the Honda Sensing suite as standard, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, the lane-keeping assist lacked smoothness, and the adaptive cruise control occasionally braked unnecessarily. The Civic Hatchback did not have blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic alert, relying instead on LaneWatch for the right-side blind spot. The Civic received top crash-test ratings but did not earn a Top Safety Pick due to poor headlight performance.