2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, a continuation of the bold design introduced in the 2020 model year, stood out in the sedan market with its aggressive styling. Despite its catfish-like appearance, which might not appeal to everyone, the Sonata Hybrid was designed to catch the eye with features like a matte gray paint scheme, integrated deck-lid spoiler, and aerodynamic strakes in the taillights. Inside, the cabin offered a more conventional and refined atmosphere, with soft-touch surfaces and a modern haptic bezel surrounding the vivid touchscreen infotainment system. The seats were comfortable and supportive, making long trips enjoyable for both front and rear passengers.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and mature design, reminiscent of the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation Civic aimed to please those who found the previous model's styling too bold, offering a more tailored and grown-up look. Inside, Honda returned to a minimalistic approach, with a dashboard featuring a metal honeycomb mesh to hide air vents and improved interior materials, especially in the Touring trim. The Civic's interior reflected a newfound maturity, providing a comfortable and supportive driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and battery pack, delivering a combined 192 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission. The Limited trim's solar panel roof added about two miles per day to the driving range. The Sonata Hybrid offered solid acceleration, with a Drive Mode toggle allowing drivers to switch between Eco, Sport, Custom, and Smart modes. The vehicle often started in battery-only mode, with seamless transitions to the engine, and provided a refined driving experience with light yet precise steering and solid stopping power.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower for the EX and Touring trims. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) featuring Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing the car's responsiveness. With improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning, the Civic delivered enjoyable handling without sacrificing ride quality. However, the Civic Touring's fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing, achieving 30.4 mpg compared to the EPA's estimate of 34 mpg.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered 16 cubic feet of trunk space, matching the conventionally-powered Sonata and surpassing the Camry Hybrid. The cabin provided ample legroom for front passengers and decent rear-seat space, accommodating four adults comfortably. However, the sloping roofline made rear entry slightly challenging. Front passengers enjoyed cargo pockets and a center console, with a wireless charging pad in the test model.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured redesigned front seats for improved support, particularly in the leather-lined Touring trim. The power driver's seat allowed for a perfect driving position, while the front passenger seat offered excellent thigh support. The Civic's low stance made entry and exit challenging, but rear legroom was generous. The Civic's trunk offered 14.8 cubic feet of space, or 14.4 cubes in the Touring trim, with a split-folding backseat for added utility. The redesigned center console provided accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim, though it sacrificed some storage flexibility.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while the Limited trim featured a 10.25-inch screen with navigation and real-time traffic updates. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though CarPlay only occupied two-thirds of the larger screen. The intuitive layout included a traditional volume knob and haptic buttons for various functions. The Limited trim also offered a wireless charging pad and a head-up display, though the latter had limited adjustability for taller drivers.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim featuring a 10-inch display panel offering greater customization and a Vehicle Activity display. This feature helped drivers ensure their headlights were on, addressing a common issue. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a navigation system. Despite a slow load time, the system performed well, particularly in voice recognition.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance features, including forward-collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The Limited trim added a head-up display, 360-degree surround-view parking monitor, and parking sensors. The Sonata Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite, including Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert in the EX and Touring trims. The Civic's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs offered enhanced head protection. A rear-seat reminder system was standard across all trims.