2022 Honda Civic vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 BMW 5 Series presented a restrained design, distinguishing itself from other BMW sedans with its understated elegance. It underwent a minor styling refresh, resulting in a sleeker appearance with streamlined LED headlights and a larger, yet tastefully sized, twin-kidney grille. The sedan's design updates included trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and new bumpers for the M Sport Package. Despite being 1.2 inches longer, the 5 Series maintained a commendable drag coefficient of 0.27. Inside, the familiar BMW layout remained, with specific design elements like the touchscreen positioning and shifter style reinforcing the brand's identity. While lower trims featured SensaTec upholstery, options for Dakota and Nappa leather were available, enhancing the luxury feel, though the sport steering wheel seemed out of place in the otherwise refined interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and mature design, reminiscent of the larger Accord sedan. The 11th-generation Civic shed the previous model's bold styling for a more tailored look, appealing to those who preferred a subtler aesthetic. Inside, Honda embraced simplicity, with a minimalistic control layout and a metal honeycomb mesh elegantly concealing the air vents. The interior materials saw an upgrade, particularly in the Touring trim, reflecting a newfound maturity. The Civic's redesign aimed to balance practicality with a refined appearance, offering a more grown-up feel compared to its predecessor.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with the 530i's 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. This model could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, delivering 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, achieving zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with rear-wheel drive. The M550i xDrive boasted a 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 with 532 hp, while the M5 offered 617 hp in Competition spec, reaching zero to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. The 530e plug-in hybrid combined a 2.0-liter engine with an electric motor, offering 288 hp and an electric range, though EPA figures were pending.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque for the EX and Touring trims. Both engines paired with a CVT, with Sport and Touring trims offering a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness. The Civic's improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning contributed to its enjoyable handling, while the turbocharged engine provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Civic Touring's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available as a four-door sedan, offered spacious front seating and a competitive trunk capacity of 14.0 cubic feet. The rear seats, though slightly less roomy on paper, provided ample space for passengers. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with various adjustments, enhancing comfort. However, forward visibility was hindered by the long hood, though a surround-view camera system aided maneuverability.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering excellent support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. While the Civic sat low, making entry and exit challenging for some, the rear seat provided generous legroom. The Civic's trunk offered 14.8 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced in the Touring trim due to sound system components. The interior redesign included a new center console with improved cupholders but less storage flexibility.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series came equipped with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring the iDrive 7 system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a WiFi hotspot. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, while gesture controls offered an alternative, albeit less precise, method of interaction.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim featuring a 10-inch display offering customization and driving data. The Vehicle Activity display enhanced safety by indicating light status. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity and a premium Bose audio system. The system's performance was generally smooth, with voice recognition technology being a notable improvement.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, though not crash-tested by the IIHS for 2021, received a "Top Safety Pick+" award for the 2020 model. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and other advanced features, offering smooth operation and sophisticated driver-assist technology.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite with Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system in the EX and Touring trims. The Civic's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety. A rear-seat reminder system was standard across all trims.