2022 Honda Civic vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

BMW had 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 appeared stuffy, with a large, oddly-shaped grille that seemed out of place on the smaller sedan. The interior design was nice but marred by unimpressive materials, with plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. Leather upholstery was optional, and the standard synthetic Sensatec material didn't elevate the cabin's luxury feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and plain appearance, resembling the larger Accord sedan. The interior focused on simplicity, with a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. The dashboard featured a span of metal honeycomb mesh to hide the air vents elegantly. Honda improved the interior materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a maturity that the previous Civic lacked.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered three powertrains: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the 330i with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, a 330e plug-in hybrid with a combined output of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft, and a turbo inline-six in the M340i producing 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 zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the base 330i took 5.6 seconds. Despite the impressive technical specs, the 330e's transition from electric to gasoline power was clunky, and the overall driving experience lacked engagement.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque in the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque in the EX and Touring trims. Both engines paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with new Step Shift programming. The Civic's handling was enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel. However, the Civic Touring's fuel economy fell short of the EPA estimate, returning 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series offered better-than-average interior space for a small luxury sedan, with the best rear headroom in the segment and above-average front headroom. However, legroom was average, and shoulder room was less generous than in the Acura TLX. Gasoline models had 17 cubic feet of cargo space, but the 330e plug-in hybrid'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 2022 Honda Civic featured redesigned front seats with better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The back seat offered more legroom than most in the segment, though the backrest angle might feel too reclined for some. The Civic lacked rear air conditioning vents, and the Touring trim lost its heated rear cushions. The new center console had 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 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 system was user-friendly, with high-quality graphics and multiple control options, including gesture controls and a voice assistant.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display in the Touring trim. The Vehicle Activity display showed when the headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals were on. The standard infotainment system had a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Touring trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless smartphone integration, HD radio, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The Touring trim also included a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.

The 2021 BMW 3 Series received a "Top Safety Pick" award from the IIHS, with top "Good" 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. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite with Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic EX and Touring trims included a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic's architecture was stronger, with new front airbags and rear side-impact airbags. A rear-seat reminder system was standard.