2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, showcased a design evolution that embraced the "sensual purity" theme, moving away from the sharper lines of its predecessor. This model featured a more refined and elegant appearance, with squinted headlights and a trapezoid grille at the front, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights. The E-Class maintained its reputation for being a reserved and conservative vehicle, with a luxurious interior that boasted rich materials like polished woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber. The cabin was a blend of opulence and modernity, highlighted by two 12-inch screens and a digital instrument panel, making it a standout in its class.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks, offering a practical and enjoyable driving experience. The Civic hatchback shared its front design with the sedan but featured a distinct rear, addressing the visual weight distribution common in small hatchbacks. Inside, the Civic hatchback provided a comfortable and modern environment, with Sport Touring trim offering advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The interior was thoughtfully designed, with metal honeycomb dashboard detailing and high-quality controls, although the CVT shifter operation was slightly less refined. Overall, the Civic hatchback was a functional and appealing choice for those seeking practicality and style.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, replacing the conventional V6 engines. The E450 model became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to enhance power and torque, providing up to 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque for brief moments. The E450's 3.0-liter I6 engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft, with additional overboost from the battery. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft, offering brisk acceleration and a refined driving experience. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft, making it a performance powerhouse. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, with fuel economy ratings of 25 mpg combined for the E53 sedan and 18 mpg combined for the E63 sedan.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft for the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The turbo engine provided accessible torque from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, making it a lively choice. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission available. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, while the manual transmission offered a delightful driving experience. The Civic hatchback delivered a balanced ride, with firm suspension tuning and responsive steering, achieving fuel economy ratings of 33 mpg combined with the CVT and 31 mpg combined with the manual transmission.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a spacious cabin, accommodating four adults comfortably with ample headroom and legroom. The sedan offered 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the wagon provided 35 cubic feet, expandable to 64 cubic feet with seats folded. The coupe and convertible had less rear seat usability, with the convertible's soft top impacting space. The E-Class included a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen, shortcut buttons, and separate climate controls, enhancing user-friendliness. However, mastering the dual screens required some learning.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. The load floor was not flat, prioritizing space behind the back seat. The Civic hatchback offered comfortable seating for all passengers, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, with heated front seats and automatic climate control. The interior featured black fabric or leather upholstery, depending on the trim, and a dual-zone climate system in higher trims.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was equipped with the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface with improved organization and natural voice processing. The system included gesture controls, live camera feeds, and optional extras like massaging seats and seat kinetics. While Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless, the E-Class offered a range of connected services and optional driving assists. The instrument cluster allowed for customizable displays, providing a modern and engaging experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring also included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound controls improved usability, and a shelf below the display provided stability for touchscreen operation. The Civic hatchback featured digital instrumentation, with a 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring trim, offering clear and informative visuals.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was a leader in safety, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS. It featured innovative safety technologies like Pre-Safe Sound and side bolster inflation during collisions. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, though these were only available with the CVT. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems were limited to higher trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and new frontal-impact airbags.