2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 BMW 2 Series

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, introduced as a new model the previous year, marked a departure from BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive setup by offering standard front-wheel drive in the U.S. market. Despite its name, the Gran Coupe was a four-door sedan with a conventional trunk, lacking the utility of its five-door sportback sibling, the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It served as an entry-level BMW, appealing to those aspiring to own a vehicle with the iconic kidney-shaped grille and blue-and-white roundel. The 2 Series Gran Coupe was available in 228i and M235i models, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional for the 228i and standard for the M235i. The 2021 model year saw the addition of standard equipment, a sport automatic transmission limited to the M Sport Package or M235i, and a new adaptive damping suspension. The test car, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, and other features, bringing the MSRP to $48,595.

The design of the 2 Series Gran Coupe faced challenges due to its front-drive platform, but BMW employed visual tricks like large LED headlights and grilles to mitigate the perception of excessive front overhang. The cabin was pulled back to improve the dashboard-to-axle ratio, and the tapering roofline extended the car's appearance, culminating in a busy rear end. Inside, the Gran Coupe adhered to BMW's modern design language, featuring geometric shapes, a touchscreen infotainment system, and digital instrumentation. The materials were upscale, with metallic trim adding contrast, and the optional leather upholstery was appealing. Despite being an entry-level model, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, when equipped with features like those in the test car, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2021 Honda Civic, a staple in the compact car segment, continued to impress with its practicality and design. Over the years, Honda had introduced segment-defining versions of the Civic, and the 2021 model was no exception. Available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, the Civic offered a range of options for buyers. The 2021 model year saw the discontinuation of the two-door coupe and a temporary hiatus for the sporty Civic Si. The test car, a Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, was priced at $29,690, including destination charges.

The 10th-generation Civic, introduced in 2016, had a polarizing design that garnered both praise and criticism. Over time, it became a familiar sight on the roads, with its styling either loved or hated. The Touring trim, with its appealing blue paint and 18-inch wheels, gave the Civic a handsome appearance, though its looks could vary depending on the angle or lighting. Inside, the Civic's interior, once daring, showed signs of aging, particularly with its 7-inch infotainment screen. However, the cabin still featured quality materials, adventurous design, and thoughtful detailing, maintaining its role as a trend-setter in the compact car segment.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed a question about the credibility of a front-drive platform under a brand known for its "ultimate driving machines." While some critics, like George Kennedy, expressed skepticism, the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe offered a compelling performance package. It featured a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine, similar to the revered Volkswagen GTI, and optional all-wheel drive. The 2 Series Gran Coupe delivered a zero-to-60 mph acceleration time of six seconds, providing a satisfying driving experience. The turbocharged inline-four engine paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission, offering performance-enhancing technology like brake-fade compensation and cornering brake control. The M Sport Package added fantastic M Sport steering, enhancing the driving experience across various environments. The suspension tuning was firm but manageable, and the car averaged 27.9 mpg, surpassing the EPA's estimate.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice between a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 174 horsepower. The turbocharged engine, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, provided ample power and a satisfying driving experience. The Civic's sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and responsive steering contributed to its composed and gratifying ride. However, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) posed some challenges, with a sloppy gear lever and droning noise. Despite these drawbacks, the CVT contributed to impressive fuel economy, with the test car averaging 34.8 mpg, exceeding the EPA estimate.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber individuals. The sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats were snug yet comfortable, and there was adequate storage for everyday items. However, entry and exit were not effortless, a common trait for low-slung cars. The Gran Coupe's rear seat and extra doors did not offer convincing utility, as accessing the back required contorting oneself, and space was limited. The traditional trunk provided 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a generous storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added some utility, but the car lacked the full sportback treatment.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, sitting low to the ground, required some effort to enter and exit, but once inside, it offered comfort. The driver's seat provided eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic's interior was roomy, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle in the rear seats. The center console offered remarkable storage space, with trays, cupholders, and a deep center bin. The Civic sedan's trunk was spacious, measuring 15.1 cubic feet, though the Touring trim's premium sound system reduced it to 14.7 cubic feet.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came equipped with Live Cockpit Plus, featuring a 5.1-inch display between traditional analog gauges. The Premium Package upgraded to Live Cockpit Pro, with a fully digital 10.25-inch display reminiscent of a video game. The infotainment system, with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, utilized BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and connected services. The system was user-friendly, with responsive software and multiple control options. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe featured a premium sound system with ten speakers, and Gesture Control was available for stereo volume and radio station changes. The test car also had a full-color head-up display, though it was less effective with polarized sunglasses.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age. The LX trim offered a basic 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring's voice recognition system required specific prompts, and the premium sound system was nice, but the eight-speaker setup sufficed.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offered a Driving Assistance Package with adaptive cruise control and a parking-assistant feature, though the test car did not have this upgrade. It included advanced driving-assistance systems under the Active Driving Assistant umbrella, such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance system was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly in crash protection, though it missed a Top Safety Pick due to headlight ratings and vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems. It included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. The Civic also featured automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera. LaneWatch, available from EX trim, used a camera to monitor the right lane, but it had limitations. The Civic lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. Despite these shortcomings, the 2021 Civic earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments.