2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Audi A4

Looking back, the 2021 Honda Civic was the culmination of a design evolution that saw segment-defining versions emerge every decade. Since the revolutionary 1973 original, Honda had consistently pushed the compact car envelope with audacious redesigns in 1984, 1992, 2006, and the polarizing 2016 model. By 2021, the Civic adopted a more conservative approach, akin to a scaled-down Honda Accord, despite its history of bold design resets.

The 2021 Civic was available in sedan, hatchback, and the performance-tuned Type R formats. However, the two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si took a hiatus. This version only came with a CVT gearbox, as the manual transmission was briefly shelved.

The trim levels ranged from the base LX to the top-of-the-line Touring. Our test car, the Touring sedan, adorned in Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, had a sticker price of $29,690 including destination fees. While initial pricing seemed hefty for a compact car, the Civic's interior dimensions rivaled midsize cars from just ten years ago, offering good value.

When the 10th-generation Civic hit the roads, its design received a mixed reception. Even half a decade later, owning a Civic was a leap of faith in its daring styling. The test model's combination of Touring trim's 18-inch wheels and the striking blue paint made it polarizing; sometimes elegant, sometimes confusing based on angle and light.

Although the interior no longer felt as cutting-edge as it did in 2016, it remained rock solid. Materials were high-quality, and the design was adventurous with thoughtful detailing. The 7-inch infotainment screen did feel outdated, but the pragmatic design and quality build stood the test of time.

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad wagon, and the performance-tuned S4. For this review, we focused on the A4, which came in the 40 TFSI and 45 TFSI series, available in Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige trims. Prices ranged from just under $40,000 to upwards of $50,000.

Our test model was almost as pricey as possible without stepping into S4 territory. It included Prestige 45 TFSI trim with Tango Red paint, a Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, the S-line Interior package, and vented front seats. The final price was $55,890, including destination.

Clean, simple, and conservative, the A4's design turned heads, especially in the striking Tango Red paint with Black Optic detailing and classic five-arm rotor-design wheels. The car looked sensationally good in every light.

Inside, the A4 echoed the exterior's aesthetic restraint. The interior was awash in black but featured enough aluminum trim and glossy accents to avoid feelings of confinement. Audi's expert integration of air vents, clearly labeled controls, and high-quality materials was evident. The cabin layout, with its 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, ambiance lighting, and a largely straightforward interface, was polished though the protruding tablet-display of the infotainment system felt like an afterthought.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine choices. The base LX and Sport came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT that powered the front wheels. This engine was adequate unless you experienced the turbocharged alternative.

The turbocharged option, available in the EX, EX-L, and Touring, was a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque starting as low as 1,700 rpm up to 5,500 rpm. This engine perfectly suited the Civic’s driving dynamics.

While the turbocharged engine promised spirited performance, the CVT was a letdown. It lacked the engagement and satisfaction that a manual or dual-clutch transmission might provide. The shifter was unsophisticated, and the CVT’s droning eventually became irksome. Despite these flaws, the fuel efficiency was commendable, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile route, eclipsing the EPA's estimate of 33 mpg.

The Civic's four-wheel independent suspension offered a balanced combination of ride comfort and handling prowess. Steering and suspension responses were precise, making it a nimble drive, especially with the Touring trim’s 18-inch wheels.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI came with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra AWD, this variant promised efficiency, with an EPA rating of 29 mpg combined. Audi claimed the A4 40 TFSI would go from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds.

Our tested A4 45 TFSI amped up the game with 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, retaining the same transmission and AWD setup but featuring a sport-tuned suspension. It darted to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, with a 27 mpg combined rating.

Despite the performance boost, the A4's acceleration didn’t feel as swift as Audi claimed, possibly due to prior comparison with more powerful electric vehicles. Nonetheless, the engine punched hard when needed, and the S-tronic DCT’s crisp performance enhanced driving engagement.

The AWD system focused on efficiency, primarily driving the front wheels unless needed. When spirited driving called for more traction, power smoothly transitioned to the rear wheels. Tire grip was exceptional, thanks to the Hankook Ventus S1 Evos, maintaining composure even under triple-digit temperatures on California's winding roads.

Overall, the driving experience was rewarding, with precise handling and virtually no brake fade. The quiet, solid ride over urban obstacles further showcased the A4’s well-engineered suspension. Every element, from grip to braking and ride comfort, was finely tuned.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low, and the seating position was almost floor-like, making ingress and egress a mild workout. Once inside, comfort reigned supreme except on hot days, especially for rear passengers deprived of AC vents.

The driver's seat, with its eight-way power adjustment, made finding an optimal driving position effortless. The front passenger, however, had no height adjustment, diminishing comfort when getting in and out. Leather upholstery became standard from the EX-L trim and above.

Interior room was generous, paralleling the size of a decade-old midsize car. Rear seats offered ample thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. One glaring omission was rear air vents, arguably a sacrifice for the center console's extensive storage functionality.

The center console was a marvel of practicality, fraught with trays, cupholders, and a deep bin with a sliding armrest. The sedan's trunk was impressively spacious at 15.1 cubic feet, though Touring trims suffered a slight reduction to 14.7 cubic feet due to the premium sound system housing.

The Audi A4 also sat low, posing challenges for entry and exit exacerbated by relatively small door openings. However, once settled, front seats offered luxurious comfort with power adjustments, leather, and effective heating and ventilation. The driver’s seating position was perfect, aided by an adjustable center armrest.

The car featured a three-zone automatic climate control system separate from the infotainment screen, maintaining a clutter-free, intuitive environment—a rare attribute for modern tech-heavy vehicles.

Rear seats, split-folding in a 40/20/40 configuration, were snug but adequate for adults on short trips. Limited legroom and feeling slightly confined restricted real-world capacity to two adults, with hard plastic and netted seatbacks being unfriendly to knees and shins.

Interior storage was limited. The center console bin housed the wireless charging pad and Audi Phone Box, reducing space for other items. Generous storage was found primarily in the glove compartment and door bins.

The trunk space was 13 cubic feet, nicely appointed with enclosed hinges, side storage nets, and practical grab handles, making it functional despite being smaller than the Civic's.

The Civic's technology felt dated by 2021 standards. The base LX trim’s 5-inch LCD screen, basic Bluetooth, and underpowered USB port were meager features.

The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-def touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside an eight-speaker sound system and more potent USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring trim boasted navigation, voice recognition, and a premium audio setup.

For the best experience, users depended on smartphone integration for a familiar interface and navigation. The Touring’s voice recognition was unsophisticated, and while the premium audio was serviceable, the eight-speaker setup sufficed for most.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-gen MMI tech introduced in 2020, with a 10.1-inch touchscreen prominently placed atop the dash. The screen supported intuitive smartphone-like gestures and provided acoustic feedback to confirm selections.

It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM with a complimentary subscription, and six months of Audi Connect services. Our test car had navigation, wireless charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Despite its placement, the MMI interface was straightforward and easy to use. A Home button expedited menu navigation, and voice recognition, while slow, was generally accurate. The separation of climate controls from the touchscreen and the presence of traditional volume and tuning knobs enhanced usability.

The Bang & Olufsen stereo delivered rich sound, though fidelity wavered at higher volumes with certain music types. A large head-up display was a notable feature, though difficult to see with polarized sunglasses.

For 2021, Honda equipped every Civic with Honda Sensing, comprising adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane centering assist. Automatic high beams and a multi-angle reversing camera were also standard.

The Civic offered LaneWatch instead of a traditional blind-spot system. This right-side-only camera solution presented issues with durability and usability, only compensating somewhat with the reversing camera’s broad view.

Honda Sensing’s effectiveness was somewhat marred by abrupt and indecisive behavior, causing potential driver mistrust. Compared to competing systems from Hyundai, Nissan, and Toyota, it lacked finesse.

Nevertheless, the Civic achieved an IIHS Top Safety Pick when equipped with Touring trim’s superior headlights and earned five-star ratings across the board from the NHTSA, making it one of the safest compact cars available.

Audi's A4 stair-stepped safety features with higher trims offering more tech. Our Prestige model included comprehensive safety systems under Audi Pre Sense, such as collision preparation, forward-collision warning, auto emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist.

Additional features included adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warnings, and a surround-view camera. Park Assist and Matrix-design LED headlights added further safety.

The driver assistance tech proved effective yet non-intrusive, with only a minor hiccup in adaptive cruise control response prompting driver intervention. Additional safety reminders like speed warnings and following distance icons were handy.

In crash tests, the A4 excelled, earning an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star rating from the NHTSA, reiterating its standing as a safety leader among luxury sedans.