2021 Chrysler 300 vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Chrysler 300 retained much of its classic design, reminiscent of its major facelift in 2014. Its "three-box design" gave it a straightforward, recognizable profile. The car's appearance was timeless, evoking a sense of nostalgia without leaning into retrofuturism. From the base 300 trim to the high-end 300S, the Chrysler 300 maintained a dignified presence suitable for any occasion.

The 2021 model featured bi-xenon halogen projector lamps with LED driving lamps on lower trims, while higher trims like the Touring L and 300S offered adaptive HID lamps. The grille varied between black and chrome, depending on the package and trim. Wheel options ranged from 17-inch silver alloys on the base model to 20-inch Black Noise wheels on the 300S. Inside, the Chrysler 300 boasted high-quality materials, with Nappa leather upholstery standard on higher trims and heated seats available on the top two trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic, available in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, started at $21,700 and went up to $28,300, excluding destination charges. The Civic Touring, priced at $29,690 with extra-cost Morning Mist Blue paint, was the primary evaluation vehicle. The Civic Sport, with Platinum White Pearl paint and the Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, was estimated at just under $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic had a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor, resembling the larger Accord sedan. The interior adopted a minimalistic approach, with a span of metal honeycomb mesh running across the dashboard to hide the air vents. The materials, especially in the Touring trim, reflected a maturity absent in previous models.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 was not designed for speed but offered solid performance with its 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, delivering 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque in the 300 Touring and 300 Touring L, and 300 hp and 264 lb-ft in the 300S. The 300S also had an optional 5.7-liter V8 engine with 363 hp and 394 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with paddle shifters on the 300S. Rear-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,750, except on the 300S.

The 300 provided a quiet, comfortable ride, especially in the AWD Touring L trim. The V8 in the 300S offered a fun driving experience, though it didn't match the higher-displacement powertrains of its Dodge Charger sibling.

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 were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), with different CVTs for each engine. The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for quicker responsiveness.

The Civic's improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and enhanced steering feel made it enjoyable to drive. The Civic Touring, in particular, offered a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency, though it fell short of the EPA's fuel economy estimate of 34 mpg, returning 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 offered generous front and rear legroom, with 41.8 inches in the front and 40.1 inches in the back. It had 106.3 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing competitors like the Genesis G70 and Lexus ES350. The trunk provided 16.3 cubic feet of cargo space, enough for four large suitcases.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured redesigned front seats with better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The power driver's seat offered excellent adjustability, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The back seat had more legroom than most in the segment, but the backrest angle might feel too reclined for some. The Civic's trunk volume was 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubes with the Touring trim, which had premium sound system components hanging down from the rear window parcel shelf.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 featured the Uconnect 4C infotainment system with an 8.4-inch touchscreen, standard across all trims. The system was intuitive, with prominent knobs and excellent steering wheel-mounted controls. The $3,495 Popular Equipment Group added a 506-watt amp, nine premium Alpine speakers, GPS navigation, SiriusXM Traffic Plus, surround sound, a trunk-mounted subwoofer, and a dual-pane sunroof.

The 2022 Honda Civic had digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display in the Touring trim. The Vehicle Activity display showed when the LED headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals were on. The standard infotainment system had a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and a navigation system. The 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system in the Touring trim delivered a rich audio experience.

The 2021 Chrysler 300 received top "Good" scores in most IIHS crash tests but had a "Marginal" score in small overlap tests and a "Poor" rating for headlights. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall crash test rating. The 300 offered active head restraints, airbags, traction and stability control, brake assist, rain brake support, ready alert braking, and hill start assist. Advanced safety features were available in higher trims and packages.

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 EX and Touring trims had a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic's new architecture provided better protection in collisions, and new front airbag designs offered improved head protection. The Civic also had a standard rear-seat reminder system.