2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Subaru WRX

Looking back at the Civic's history, the segment-defining versions arrived every ten years or so. The 2021 Honda Civic continued to ride the wave of the dramatic and polarizing design introduced in 2016. Honda offered this model in four-door Civic sedan, five-door Civic hatchback, and the performance-tuned Civic Type R format. Unfortunately, the two-door Civic coupe was discontinued, and the Civic Si was on hiatus. The Civic's pricing for the sedan started at $21,250 and ranged up to $28,300, excluding destination charges. The Cosmic Blue Metallic Touring sedan tested had a striking design with 18-inch wheels. The overall look was daring, although the angles and lighting could influence its appeal. Inside, the interior design was bold and contained premium materials, although some of the technology seemed dated, especially the infotainment screen size.

The 2022 Subaru WRX, though slightly understated in styling, brought a noticeable upgrade in width and subtle front-end improvements, including its signature hood scoop and LED headlights. Along the sides, significant design changes with less busy profiles and black plastic cladding improved aerodynamics, though not without some detractors. The rear design featured large plastic bumpers, multilayered taillights with illuminated magma-like effects, and quad tailpipes. The Solar Orange test car combined the 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, and a trunk-mounted lip spoiler. Inside, the WRX provided considerable enhancements with quality finishes, useful sports features like the D-shaped steering wheel, and aluminum pedal covers.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine choices. The base models (LX and Sport) came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). In trims like the EX, EX-L, and Touring, buyers could opt for a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine churning out 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, delivering a spunky and responsive driving experience. However, the CVT was often cited as a letdown due to droning and ineffective paddle shifters, despite contributing to an impressive fuel economy of 34.8 mpg on a mixed driving loop.

The 2022 Subaru WRX brought a fresh 2.4-liter turbocharged engine, increasing power to 271 horsepower and retaining the 258 pound-feet of torque. While minimal, this power bump was a slight improvement over its predecessor. The WRX was available with a standard all-wheel-drive system and provided either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT with eight programmed shift points. During testing, the manual transmission impressed with its notchy precision and easy handling. Coupled with the Subaru Global Platform (SGP) and an improved suspension, the WRX displayed forgiving ride quality and reduced body roll, although it felt slightly underpowered compared to rivals like the Volkswagen GTI.

The 2021 Honda Civic positioned its occupants close to the ground, contributing to a rather tight ingress and egress. Inside, however, comfort reigned with an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat and spacious back seats, albeit with no rear air conditioning vents. Practicality was a strong suit with a versatile center console offering ample storage. The Civic sedan boasted a class-leading trunk space of 15.1 cubic feet, which slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim with its premium sound system.

In the 2022 Subaru WRX, cargo capacity improved slightly to 12.5 cubic feet. This capacity expanded with the 60/40 split-folding rear seats. The sport seats provided significant support and comfort with premium upholstery materials across different trims, making long commutes viable. The WRX's all-wheel-drive system increased practicality, offering solid performance for a performance-focused vehicle in its price range.

Technology in the 2021 Honda Civic lagged, particularly in the lower trims. The base models offered a 5-inch screen and basic connectivity features, while the Civic Sport introduced a more beneficial 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an upgraded sound system. The Touring trim came packed with navigation, voice recognition, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. Despite these features, its voice recognition system was dated and required specific prompts.

By contrast, the 2022 Subaru WRX impressed with a significant technological leap, especially in Premium trims and above. The 11.6-inch, tablet-style touchscreen borrowed from the Outback and Legacy provided a sophisticated interface with physical controls for critical functions, though its Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration had room for improvement. The base WRX displayed a more unusual stacked dual 7-inch screen setup, while higher trims included an 11-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo system providing a superior audio experience.

Every 2021 Honda Civic was equipped with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping systems among other features. The Civic's LaneWatch offered blind-spot monitoring for the right side but had practical limitations. Despite some unrefined behaviors of these systems, the Civic earned top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, making it one of the safest choices for young drivers.

Safety in the 2022 Subaru WRX varied by transmission. The CVT-equipped models benefited from the EyeSight suite, which included advanced features like automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist. This system was highly praised for its effectiveness. Manual WRX models lacked EyeSight, which might be a dealbreaker for some safety-conscious consumers. Nonetheless, the WRX had blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims and benefited from the enhanced crash absorption capabilities of the Subaru Global Platform.