2020 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2020 Toyota Camry

The 2020 Toyota Camry had a storied reputation for quality, reliability, and value, earning its stripes through incredible durability, especially noted in the 1990s models. This status was bolstered by shared engineering with Toyota's luxury brand, Lexus. However, more recent Camry models prior to the current generation lagged, perceived as cheaper and less competitive against rivals like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata.

The 2020 iteration marked a resurgence in the Camry’s appeal with a fresh focus on detail and style. For the first time, it seemed the Camry was genuinely trying to be fashionable. Its styling was notably expressive, highlighted by a bold front fascia and sharp character lines that hinted at BMW's design influence. With 14 exterior color choices, including an available black roof, the Camry aimed to stand out. Inside, the materials and design offered a premium feel, even at lower trims. The TRD model specifically sported red accents, including striking red seatbelts, evoking sportier vibes akin to Porsche or Ferrari. High-end trims featured leather and wood, reminiscent of entry-level Lexus models. Yet, it was clear: the Camry remained a mainstream sedan with a starting price of $25,380, not a luxury or sports car, despite its ambitious aspirations.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, redesigned half a decade prior, aimed to captivate a more dynamic segment. For 2020, Honda made subtle yet impactful tweaks to its design. The fake air intakes received body-color crossbars for a toned-down look, a new grille, and smoked headlights. Wheel designs were updated, maintaining the car’s aesthetic appeal.

The Sport Touring trim test model, with its Platinum White Pearl paint contrasted against glossy black details, garnered admiration and even confusion with the more aggressive Type R variant. Inside, the Sport Touring model boasted stitched leather on the steering wheel, soft surfaces, and generally high-quality materials, though hard plastics were still present. The cockpit felt refined, with a vault-like door closing experience that significantly dropped ambient noise, further enhancing its appeal.

The 2020 Toyota Camry presented four distinct powertrain options: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with FWD, the same engine with AWD, a 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid. Concentrating on the gas-only models, the 3.5-liter V6 delivered 301 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine offered a smooth, powerful performance, aligning more with luxury aspirations. It was ideal for the XLE trim but felt mismatched in the sportier TRD trim, despite a dual exhaust trying to amplify low-end rumble.

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder pushed out 203 hp (206 hp in XSE trim) and paired beautifully with the eight-speed automatic. With a lighter front end compared to the V6, it made models like the XSE feel nimble and fun to drive. The TRD's tuned suspension and upgraded brakes suited enthusiastic drivers but might deter traditional Camry loyalists accustomed to a softer ride. Notably, the addition of AWD enhanced the car's handling in slippery conditions without heavily impacting the fuel economy, rating 28 mpg combined for AWD versus 31 mpg for FWD.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, particularly in the Sport and Sport Touring trims, diverged from the Civic Si. Equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, the Hatchback generated 174 hp in LX, EX, and EX-L trims, and 180 hp in Sport and Sport Touring trims. Torque varied slightly with transmission: 162 lb-ft with the CVT, and 177 lb-ft with the 6-speed manual.

The engine's performance was respectable, delivering authority and refinement. However, the manual transmission's long clutch travel and gear throws differentiated it from the tighter Civic Si. The Hatchback offered a softer ride and broader seats, favoring daily comfort over sporty rigor. Despite these differences, it remained engaging to drive, particularly on curvy roads. Fuel economy was commendable, reaching up to 32.7 mpg on rigorous testing.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was designed to be user-friendly. Front seat occupants found an intuitive layout with accessible controls. Despite a seemingly confined appearance, the front seats provided adequate space with improved legroom and hip room compared to previous models.

The backseat, however, saw reduced legroom and overall passenger volume. This made it slightly less spacious than competitors like the Accord. Its 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space equaled the capacity of the smaller Honda Civic. Fortunately, adding AWD didn’t compromise the cabin or trunk space, thanks to strategic modifications by Toyota.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback provided versatile cargo space, beneficial for those preferring sedans over SUVs. The Civic Hatchback offered 25.2 cubic feet of cargo room, outperforming the same-year HR-V Touring's 23.2 cubic feet. While maximum cargo volume trailed the HR-V's 57.6 cubic feet, many drivers favored the Civic's balance of practicality with better acceleration and fuel economy.

Seating comfort was generally good, with ample support in the driver's seat but lacking a height adjuster for the passenger seat. Honda's center console was particularly versatile, featuring a sliding armrest, tray, and cupholders, accommodating larger items efficiently. Rear seat space was reasonable, although the absence of rear AC vents could pose issues on warmer days.

Toyota lagged in integrating tech features into its vehicles, only adding Apple CarPlay the previous year. By 2020, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a three-month trial of SiriusXM joined the roster. Toyota's native infotainment system felt outdated compared to rival offerings, but its touchscreen was responsive and user-friendly with hard buttons for essential functions.

Lower trims featured a 7-inch screen, with an optional 8-inch upgrade available. Connectivity included a single USB-A port for phone use and additional charging ports in the center console. An optional Qi wireless charging pad was available, though USB-C ports were missing. Higher trims offered a 7-inch instrument panel display and an optional 10-inch HUD, enhancing the driver’s experience.

The 2020 Honda Civic Hatchback, while not leading in tech innovation, provided essential modern amenities. Excluding the base LX trim, it featured a 7-inch touchscreen with digital instrumentation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a high-quality 12-speaker premium sound system in the Sport Touring trim. Honda’s infotainment lacked a tuning knob and had subpar voice-recognition capabilities, yet automatic climate control and keyless entry with Walk Away Auto Lock were standard in most trims.

Toyota equipped every 2020 Camry with its Toyota Safety Sense suite, including features like a pre-collision system, dynamic radar adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. All models came with 10 airbags, stability control, and a backup camera. High trims added a Bird's Eye View camera system. The Camry achieved a five-star rating from NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS, though a recall for engine coolant leaks affected some cars.

Honda’s Civic Hatchback came standard with Honda Sensing, incorporating automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, relying on LaneWatch for right-side blind-spot coverage. The Civic earned strong crash-test ratings but fell short of a Top Safety Pick due to poor headlight performance on previous trims. The 2020 Sport Touring trim’s new LED headlights might improve future ratings.