2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2021 Honda Civic

The 2021 Honda Civic had a long history of segment-defining models, with notable versions released in 1973, 1984, 1992, 2006, and 2016. The 10th-generation Civic, introduced in 2016, continued to polarize opinions with its bold styling. By 2021, the Civic was available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, though the coupe and sporty Si were discontinued. The Civic sedan came in various trims, with the Touring model featuring a striking Cosmic Blue Metallic paint. Despite its daring design, the interior showed signs of aging, particularly with its 7-inch infotainment screen. However, the cabin still boasted quality materials and thoughtful detailing.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3, with prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000. Each model had a distinct powertrain, with the M340i featuring a turbocharged six-cylinder engine and mild-hybrid technology. The test vehicle, an M340i, came with Barbera Red special-order paint and Cognac-color SensaTec upholstery. The M340i's exterior design included exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and blue brake calipers. Inside, the SensaTec upholstery mimicked leather, and the cabin featured a technical design focused on driving enjoyment.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The more desirable turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine provided a spirited driving experience, but the CVT's droning and ineffectiveness of paddle shifters and Sport mode were drawbacks. Despite these issues, the Civic excelled in fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the M340i accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The car's M Sport suspension, variable sport steering, and M Sport brakes contributed to its exceptional handling and driving dynamics. The M340i's fuel economy was impressive, returning 24.9 mpg on the evaluation route. The car's performance and driving experience were highly praised, making it a thrilling choice for enthusiasts.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit challenging. Once inside, the driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided ample space and thigh support, though the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The Civic's center console offered remarkable storage space, and the trunk was spacious, with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space (14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim).

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with excellent support and a perfect driving position. Rear seat passengers had adequate legroom, though the center rear seat was less practical. The car came with a three-zone automatic climate control system, and the Premium package added heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Interior storage was decent, and the 17 cubic-foot trunk provided ample cargo space. The back seat's 40/20/40-split folding design added versatility, though a sports wagon variant would have been even better.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age, with the base LX trim offering a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The voice recognition system in the Touring trim was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series came standard with Live Cockpit Professional, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. BMW iDrive 7.0 was intuitive, offering multiple control options, including a gesture control system. The car included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. The Connected Package Pro technology provided BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant, which responded accurately to various commands. The optional Premium package added a head-up display, though it could be challenging to read with polarized sunglasses.

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also offered LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, though it had limitations. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included Active Guard, which provided forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driving Assistance Professional package included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.