2022 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 vehicle, a 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, came equipped with the M Sport Package, Premium Package, and other premium 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 premium features, did not look or feel like a basic BMW.

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan was offered in familiar LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $21,700 for the LX and reaching $28,300 for the Touring, excluding a $995 destination charge. A new five-door hatchback was set to return later in the year, but the two-door coupe was no longer available. The primary evaluation vehicle was a Civic Touring in Morning Mist Blue, priced at $29,690, including destination charges. A Civic Sport with extra-charge Platinum White Pearl paint and the new Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package was also briefly sampled, estimated at just under $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic resembled the larger Accord sedan and adopted a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor. While some might find the new look more tailored and mature, others might consider it less exciting. Inside, Honda aimed for simplicity, resulting in a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. A metal honeycomb mesh spanned the dashboard, elegantly concealing the air vents. The interior materials were improved, and the Touring trim reflected a maturity absent in the previous Civic.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe posed a question about the credibility of a front-drive platform under a self-proclaimed "ultimate driving machine." While some critics were skeptical, the 228i Gran Coupe shared similarities with the revered Volkswagen GTI, both featuring a 228-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The BMW offered xDrive all-wheel drive, enhancing its performance on various road surfaces and weather conditions. The 228i xDrive Gran Coupe accelerated from zero to 60 mph in six seconds, powered by a turbocharged inline-four paired with an eight-speed sport automatic transmission and performance-enhancing technology. The M Sport Package equipped the car with M Sport steering, providing a swift, sharp, and direct driving experience. The suspension tuning was firm, and the Gran Coupe felt glued to the road, though the all-season run-flat tires squealed at the limit of adhesion. The 228i xDrive averaged 27.9 mpg, surpassing the EPA's estimate of 27 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan offered two engines, both improved versions from the previous generation. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, while the EX and Touring trims came with a more powerful turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Both engines paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Step Shift programming to mimic a traditional automatic. The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing the car's responsiveness. The Civic's handling was enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel. The Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 34 mpg. The Civic's predictable and trustworthy demeanor made it a satisfying compact sedan for various driving scenarios.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was practical for transporting two young and limber people. The sport-bolstered, 10-way power-adjustable front seats were snug but comfortable, with adequate storage for typical items. Entry and exit were not effortless due to the car's low-slung design. The Gran Coupe's rear doors and back seat were less convincing, with limited space and comfort for larger passengers. The traditional trunk offered 15.2 cubic feet of space, including a generous storage compartment under the load floor. The 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added utility, but the car lacked the full sportback treatment.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort, with redesigned front seats offering better support. The leather-lined Touring trim featured a power driver's seat with excellent adjustability, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic sat low to the ground, making entry and exit challenging for some. The back seat provided more legroom than most in the segment, with excellent thigh support but a slightly reclined backrest angle. The Civic lacked rear air conditioning vents, and the Touring trim lost heated rear cushions for 2022. The redesigned center console offered less storage space but more accessible cupholders. Trunk volume was generous at 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubes with Touring trim, and a split-folding backseat added utility.

The 2021 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe came 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, paired with an 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system using BMW's iDrive 7.0 technology. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, navigation, and connected services, with over-the-air updates. The infotainment 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. A full-color head-up display was also included.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a ten-inch display panel with greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display showed the status of the car's lights and signals, enhancing safety. The standard infotainment system had a seven-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a nine-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and navigation. The Touring trim also featured a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system, delivering a rich audio experience.

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. The Active Driving Assistant included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, active blind-spot warning with intervention, and a speed limit information system. The lane-keeping assistance was effective but could be aggressive. The IIHS rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe highly for crash protection, but it missed a Top Safety Pick due to poor or marginal headlight ratings and less-than-perfect vehicle-to-pedestrian test results.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured the upgraded Honda Sensing collection of advanced driver assistance systems, including Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert on the EX and Touring trims. The Civic's architecture was stronger, with new front airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags. A standard rear-seat reminder system was also included.