2021 Honda Civic vs 2020 Toyota Prius

The 2020 Toyota Prius retained its iconic jellybean-like shape, a design optimized for aerodynamics since its second generation. Toyota made subtle tweaks to give it a more sedan-like appearance while maintaining its hatchback functionality. The Prius continued to look contemporary with its futuristic style, even as the rest of the industry caught up with its design cues. Inside, the Prius featured a unique cabin layout with centrally located instrumentation and gauges, a hallmark of its design for over two decades. The trim levels ranged from the entry-level L Eco to the top-tier Limited, each adding more features and luxury.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic had a history of segment-defining designs every decade or so. The 10th-generation Civic, introduced in 2016, was polarizing but undeniably attention-grabbing. By 2021, it was available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, though the coupe and sporty Si were discontinued. The Civic's design was both loved and hated, but its widespread presence made it a familiar sight. The Touring trim, with its Cosmic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch wheels, looked particularly appealing, though the interior design showed signs of aging, especially with its 7-inch infotainment screen.

The 2020 Toyota Prius featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. It offered both front-wheel drive and an all-wheel-drive variant, the AWD-e, which used a second electric motor for the rear wheels. The Prius had smooth acceleration, especially at lower speeds, with a seamless transition between electric and conventional power. It offered three drive modes: EV, Eco, and Power, each catering to different driving needs. The unique shifter design and Engine Braking mode added to its distinctive driving experience. Despite its focus on efficiency, the Prius had engaging handling and a smooth ride, making it ideal for daily commutes.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The more desirable turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The Civic's sophisticated suspension and steering made it a delight to drive, especially with the turbo engine. However, the CVT was a drawback, often droning and feeling unsophisticated. Despite this, the Civic excelled in fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop, surpassing the EPA estimate.

The 2020 Toyota Prius made excellent use of its compact platform, offering deep door pockets, a large tray area between the front seats, and helpful sub-trays around the center console. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with good driver visibility. The rear seats also provided ample space, though taller passengers needed to be cautious when entering and exiting. The Prius boasted 50.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet with the seats up, depending on the model. Its hatchback design made loading and unloading cargo easy and convenient.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the front seats were comfortable, with the driver's seat offering eight-way power adjustment. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats were roomy, with excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, though the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The center console provided remarkable storage space, with trays, cupholders, and a deep center bin. The Civic's trunk was spacious, offering 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen, featuring a sensible menu layout and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Other standard features included Bluetooth connectivity, a WiFi hotspot, and three USB ports. The Limited trim upgraded to an 11.6-inch screen with a customizable, tablet-like layout, though it lacked Android Auto. The Prius also offered satellite radio, HD Radio, a head-up display (HUD), and a 10-speaker JBL premium audio system. The top-center instrument panel, a defining feature of the Prius, displayed hybrid drivetrain status and other critical readouts, with many menus accessible via the steering wheel.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age. The base LX trim had a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful 1.5-amp USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation with voice recognition, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. However, the voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system, while nice, wasn't a significant upgrade over the eight-speaker setup.

The 2020 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front-and-rear parking sensors, and active park assist. The Prius earned a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" accolade from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though it fell short of the highest "Top Safety Pick+" rating due to "average" scores in certain tests.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. It also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera. The Civic offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, starting with EX trim. However, LaneWatch had several drawbacks, including susceptibility to damage and limited coverage. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and five-star ratings in every NHTSA assessment.