2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

BMW returned to its traditional styling approach with the 2021 3 Series, aiming for a familial look reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series. However, the G20 3 Series didn't quite achieve iconic status. The large, oddly-shaped grille seemed more fitting for the larger 5 Series, and the overall design lacked distinctive features beyond the grille and headlights. Our test car, equipped with the optional M Sport trim package, featured M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers, adding some flair. Inside, the design was pleasant but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, and the M heated steering wheel felt out of place in the otherwise conservative interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant share of the dwindling hatchback market. Built in Indiana, it was one of the few compact cars still produced in the U.S. The new Civic hatchback shared its front-end design with the sedan but featured a unique grille pattern and wheel designs. From the rear, it appeared more balanced, though it still suffered from a "stubby butt" look. Inside, the Sport Touring trim added sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, along with metal honeycomb dashboard detailing. The CVT shifter operation was the only detractor from an otherwise modern and high-quality interior.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains. The base 330i had 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 that engine with electric assist for a total of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft, including an XtraBoost function. The M340i featured a turbo inline-six with 382 hp and 369 lb-ft. All models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and were available in rear-wheel drive (RWD) or xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD). The M340i could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. The 330e matched the 330i's 0-60 mph time despite its extra weight. However, the 330e's transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the overall driving experience felt less engaging than past 3 Series models. The chassis provided a comfortable ride and excellent handling, but the lack of engagement left us underwhelmed.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered 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. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims had a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. All models were front-wheel drive, with the LX trim exclusively paired with a CVT, while the Sport and Sport Touring offered a choice between the CVT and a six-speed manual transmission. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, providing smooth and quiet operation. The Sport Touring's six-speed manual transmission was a highlight, offering short throws and excellent clutch modulation. The Civic hatchback delivered a satisfying driving experience, with firm suspension tuning and responsive steering. However, the all-season tires and brakes were not up to the task of aggressive driving on twisty roads.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan. Rear headroom was the best in the segment, and front headroom was above average. Legroom in both rows was about average, and shoulder room was less generous than in the Acura TLX. Gasoline models had 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 to maximize space, though a 40/20/40 split-folding rear seat was standard. The cockpit was well-designed, with a touchscreen positioned for easy reach and good outward visibility.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and an innovative two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom, but the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and both front seats were heated. The interior featured black fabric seats in LX and Sport trims, while EX-L and Sport Touring had black leather upholstery. Automatic climate control was standard, with a dual-zone system in higher trims.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series came with the standard iDrive infotainment system, featuring an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and USB ports. Gasoline models included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the 330e only had CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system added a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display (HUD). The infotainment system was high-quality, with responsive controls and multiple input methods, including gesture controls and a voice assistant. Some features felt gimmicky, but the system provided options for user preference.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system. LX, Sport, and EX-L trims had a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs addressed previous criticisms, and a small shelf below the screen provided a steadying handhold. The voice recognition system worked well, and the digital instrumentation varied by trim, with the Sport Touring offering a comprehensive 10.2-inch display.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top scores in all crash tests. However, headlight scores were mixed, and the optional Active Driving Assistant Professional system scored lower in vehicle-to-pedestrian front-crash prevention. The NHTSA had not published safety ratings for this model. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automated lane centering, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a parking-assist package with a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were exclusive to EX-L and Sport Touring trims. All models had a rear-seat reminder system, rear seatbelt reminder, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, the highest possible rating. The driver aids worked well but were sometimes overly cautious.