2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2021 BMW 3 Series returned to its traditional styling approach, reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series, aiming to resemble a smaller version of the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. However, the G20 3 Series did not achieve the iconic status of its predecessor, as its design appeared somewhat stuffy. The large, oddly-shaped grille, which suited the larger 5 Series, seemed out of place on this smaller sedan. While the M Sport trim package added flair with M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers, the standard Sport Line trim offered 18-inch wheels with a different design. Inside, the 3 Series had a well-designed interior, but the materials were unimpressive, with plastic trim and faux Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, with synthetic Sensatec material as standard.

The 2021 Honda Civic, on the other hand, continued to impress with its segment-defining design, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats. The Civic sedan, particularly in Touring trim with Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, offered a striking appearance with handsome 18-inch wheels. The interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing. The cabin was spacious, akin to a midsize car from a decade ago, with comfortable seating and a large trunk. However, the infotainment screen size was limited to 7 inches, reflecting its age.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered a range of powertrains, starting with the base 330i, which featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 330e plug-in hybrid combined a less powerful version of the same engine with electric assist, delivering 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, with an XtraBoost overboost function. The M340i boasted a turbo inline-six engine, generating 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offered rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive. The M340i could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the 330i took 5.6 seconds. Despite its technical prowess, the 3 Series lacked engagement, with a clunky transition from electric to gasoline power in the 330e and a disconnected driving experience.

The 2021 Honda Civic provided two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, standard on EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, delivered 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, offering a more spirited driving experience. The Civic's sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and responsive steering made it enjoyable to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels. However, the CVT detracted from the experience with its droning and unsophisticated gear lever. Despite this, the Civic excelled in fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile loop, surpassing the EPA estimate of 33 mpg.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series excelled in interior space for a small luxury sedan, offering the best rear headroom in its segment and above-average front headroom. However, legroom was average, potentially causing discomfort for rear-seat passengers with tall individuals in front. The 3 Series lacked the shoulder room of competitors like the Acura TLX. Gasoline models provided 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e's battery pack reduced it to 13.2 cubic feet. The trunk's long-and-narrow shape required an awkward reach, though a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy access and good outward visibility.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the Civic offered a comfortable experience, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver's seat, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard from EX-L trim. The Civic's interior was spacious, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with excellent rear-seat thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. The center console provided ample storage, and the trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced in Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models supported both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only offered CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with high-quality graphics and responsive controls. BMW provided multiple control options, including the iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls, though some features felt gimmicky.

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

The 2021 BMW 3 Series earned a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" scores in crash tests, though headlight scores were mixed. The optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention than the base system. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for the 2021 3 Series. BMW required additional packages for features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and automated lane centering. Standard features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, starting with EX trim. However, LaneWatch had limitations, such as only covering the right side and requiring drivers to reference two locations. The Civic lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system but had a 180-degree reversing camera view. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for Touring trim and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments.