2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 Honda Civic had a rich history of segment-defining models, with notable versions released in 1973, 1984, 1992, 2006, and 2016. Each iteration set new standards for compact cars, often requiring a break in between to recharge Honda's innovative energies. The 2021 model continued this legacy, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats. However, the two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si was on hiatus until the next generation. The Civic sedan came in various trims, starting at $21,250 and reaching $28,300, excluding a $995 destination charge. The test car, a Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic, cost $29,690.

The 2021 Civic's design was polarizing, with some loving its bold look and others less impressed. The Touring trim's 18-inch wheels and Cosmic Blue paint added to its appeal, though opinions varied based on viewing angles and lighting. Inside, the Civic's once-daring interior showed its age, especially with a maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches. Despite this, the cabin featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, maintaining its trend-setting reputation. The Civic's spacious interior and trunk, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, added to its practicality.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, a continuation of Toyota's long-standing history in the U.S., was a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. The Camry, along with the Corolla and Prius, played a crucial role in establishing Toyota's reputation. The Camry Hybrid, introduced in 2007, continued to impress with its futuristic and expressive design. The 2022 model, though mostly a carryover, featured a striking front end and a range of wheel options from 16-inch steel to 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the Camry Hybrid's dashboard was wild and futuristic, with a sweeping curve and a big infotainment touchscreen. The second row was roomy and comfortable, even for the middle seat. Toyota's attention to fit and finish was evident, with high-quality materials and smooth, glossy paint. The Camry Hybrid's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, making it a strong contender in the midsize sedan market.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options. The base LX and Sport trims 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) driving the front wheels. While adequate, the real excitement came with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. This engine delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, providing a more spirited driving experience. The Civic's sophisticated suspension and steering made it a delight to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels. However, the CVT's droning and unsophisticated gear lever were notable drawbacks. Despite these issues, the Civic's fuel economy was impressive, averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile driving loop, surpassing the EPA estimate of 33 mpg combined.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, with the entry-level LE model achieving an EPA-rated 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. Other trims managed 44 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, and 46 mpg combined. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. An electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models. The Camry Hybrid's handling was commendable, thanks to the low-mounted lithium-ion battery pack, which lowered the center of gravity. However, keeping the car in EV mode was challenging, and occasional drivetrain droning was noted. Despite these minor issues, the Camry Hybrid's performance was solid, especially for those prioritizing fuel economy.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard from the EX-L trim. The rear seats were roomy and comfortable, though the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The center console provided ample storage space, and the trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in ride height, seating position, and ease of use. The driving position was comfortable, with ample headroom and multiple storage options. The second row was easy to access and offered generous space, with bottle holders and map pockets. The Camry Hybrid's trunk matched the standard Camry's 15.1 cubic feet, thanks to the low-mounted battery pack. A passthrough allowed for long items, and the second row could fold down for larger cargo. Toyota's comprehensive warranty covered the Camry Hybrid for three years/36,000 miles, with additional coverage for the powertrain, hybrid battery, and specific hybrid components.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was showing its age. The base LX trim offered a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a 1.0-amp USB port. The Sport trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a more powerful 1.5-amp USB port. The EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio, while the Touring trim included navigation with voice recognition, digital traffic, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. However, the voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system, while nice, wasn't a significant upgrade over the eight-speaker setup.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid was loaded with advanced technology features. The premium audio system, tuned by Harman International's JBL division, was impressive, with nine speakers and sophisticated algorithms for extracting audio information from compressed digital sources. This system was available on XLE and XSE models, while a six-speaker system was standard. Embedded navigation was also available on XLE and XSE models, but Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard on all models. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE featured a 9-inch touchscreen. All models came with Toyota's smart key system, push-button start, automatic LED headlights, and dual-zone automatic climate control. A 10-inch color head-up display was available on XSE models, along with a bird’s-eye view camera, intelligent clearance sonar with rear cross-traffic braking, and multi-stage ventilated seats.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped 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, Road Departure Mitigation, and a Lane Keeping Assist System. Automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera were also standard. The Civic offered LaneWatch, a camera-based system to monitor the right lane, but it had limitations and did not cover the left side. The Civic lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. Despite these shortcomings, the 2021 Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and received five-star ratings in every assessment from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Camry Hybrid also came with Toyota’s Star safety system, which included stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology. The Camry Hybrid had 10 airbags, three-point seatbelts for every seating position, LATCH lower anchors for child safety seats, child protector locks, and a tire pressure monitoring system. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was available on lower trims and standard on higher trims. The 2021 Camry Hybrid received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to receive the same rating. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Camry Hybrid a five-star overall safety rating.