2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive look that was immediately recognizable. The N Line version further enhanced this design with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy yet appealing appearance. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, red stitching, aluminum pedal covers, and dark chrome accents, along with a standard panoramic sunroof that added to the car's spacious feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic adopted a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor, resembling the larger Accord sedan. The new design aimed for a more tailored and mature look, which might have seemed boring to fans of the previous model. Inside, Honda returned to a minimalistic approach with a span of metal honeycomb mesh running across the dashboard to hide the air vents. The interior materials were improved, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a maturity that the previous Civic lacked. The Civic's interior was designed for simplicity and functionality, with a focus on comfort and ease of use.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 rpm to 4,000 rpm. This engine was paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The car offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and featured an Active Sound Design (ASD) engine note enhancement system. The Sonata N Line also had significant improvements in engine and transmission mount stiffness, faster rack-mounted electric steering, larger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension. It rode on 19-inch wheels with 245/40 all-season or summer performance tires. The car delivered a thrilling driving experience, especially on winding mountain roads, and maintained a comfortable ride quality on highways and in the city. The EPA estimated fuel economy at 27 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing averaged 23.7 mpg.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the EX and Touring trims. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with new Step Shift programming. The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for quicker responsiveness. The Civic's handling was improved with better structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and improved steering feel. The car provided a fun driving experience without compromising ride quality. However, the Civic Touring's fuel economy fell short of the EPA estimate, returning 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile driving loop.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and lateral support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, making it comfortable for both front-seat occupants. The rear seat offered less legroom and thigh support compared to the Elantra N Line, but included rear air conditioning vents and a USB port. The panoramic sunroof helped alleviate any sense of claustrophobia. Interior storage was generous, though the center console design was somewhat inelegant. The trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The Smart Trunk hands-free release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle for closing the trunk was a minor inconvenience.

The 2022 Honda Civic's redesigned front seats provided better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim, which included a power driver's seat with heating but no ventilation. The front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster but offered excellent thigh support. The back seat had more legroom than most in the segment, making entry and exit easier, though the backrest angle might have felt too reclined for some. The Civic included two rear USB ports but lacked air conditioning vents, which was a significant oversight. The new center console had less storage space and flexibility than before but offered more accessible cupholders and fingerprint-resistant trim. The trunk volume was 14.8 cubic feet, or 14.4 cubes with the Touring trim, and included a split-folding backseat for added utility. A small handle on the inside of the lid helped with closing the trunk.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard features included navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a Bose premium sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a three-year subscription to Blue Link connected services. However, it lacked a WiFi hotspot. The infotainment system had a power/volume knob but no tuning knob, which could be frustrating. The voice recognition technology was mostly accurate but not perfect. The system also offered Sounds of Nature, an ambient noise feature, and Hyundai Digital Key, which worked only with Android devices.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel with greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display showed when the LED headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals were on. The standard infotainment setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Sport and EX trims had eight speakers, while the Touring trim offered a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system. The Touring trim also included a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and navigation. The voice recognition technology was significantly improved over the previous generation.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with Hyundai’s SmartSense collection of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic warning, driver-attention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata N Line's ADAS performed smoothly and accurately, reducing driver stress. The standard Sonata rated high for occupant protection, though specific ratings for the N Line were not available at the time of review.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing collection of ADAS, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic EX and Touring trims included a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, replacing the previous LaneWatch system. The Civic's vehicle architecture was stronger, with new front airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags. A standard rear-seat reminder system was also included.