2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Honda Civic

The 2021 Subaru Impreza showcased a more conservative design compared to its predecessors, which previously included larger, distinctive round headlights and boxy fender flares. The current generation, however, was characterized by its sleek headlights and taillights that contributed to a wider appearance, along with a finely tapered front end. The body sides featured some aesthetic scalloping, and the awkward wheel arch sheet metal from earlier generations was thankfully reduced. The Impreza Sport models received specific styling touches, such as 18-inch alloy wheels, while the base models came with 16-inch steel wheels. Built on the Subaru Global Platform, which was shared with models like the Legacy, Outback, Forester, and Ascent, the Impreza's engineering resulted in impressive overall refinement. Inside, the design wasn’t particularly stimulating but functional, with a dashboard split by the touchscreen housing. The Sport trim added contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim included leather upholstery and LED headlights.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic had a history of segment-defining designs roughly every decade, with the most recent significant redesign occurring in 2016. The 2021 model did not introduce dramatic changes but remained similar to the 2016 version, with a love-it-or-hate-it styling approach that became familiar to many, given the sheer number of these cars on the road. The Civic sedan, offered in multiple trims including LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring, featured elegant 18-inch wheels and striking Cosmic Blue Metallic paint in the Touring trim. The look was occasionally polarizing, dependent on angle and lighting, which could lead some owners to second-guess their choice. The interior, once daring in 2016, started to show its age but still featured quality materials and thoughtful design with a maximum 7-inch infotainment screen.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 152 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. This unique engine design allowed it to be mounted lower, benefiting the car’s center of gravity. Most models used a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), but a five-speed manual was available on base and sport trims. The Impreza Sport boasted model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for the AWD system. Although it provided a smooth ride, it wasn’t particularly thrilling compared to competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Impreza Sport offered a balanced ride with its special suspension but lacked the engaging steering and powerful engine needed for enthusiastic driving.

The 2021 Honda Civic, in LX or Sport trims, came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. Higher trims like EX, EX-L, and Touring benefited from a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generated 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, making the Civic more powerful and fun to drive. Despite the Civic’s sophisticated suspension and steering, the CVT detracted from the driving experience with its droning sound. However, the CVT contributed positively to fuel efficiency, with an impressive 34.8 mpg observed during testing, surpassing the EPA estimate. The Civic was agile, quick, and composed, primarily when equipped with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza offered reasonable legroom in both sedan and hatchback configurations, although headroom was slightly below average. The sedan's trunk was the smallest among compact sedans at 12.3 cubic feet but included a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The hatchback provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 55.3 cubic feet with them folded, outpacing rivals like the Mazda 3 and Toyota Corolla but falling short of the Honda Civic hatchback. Notably, all hatch trims except the base received standard roof rails. Higher trim levels benefitted from Subaru’s All-Weather Package, including heated front seats, a heated windshield, and heated mirrors. The Sport trim featured keyless entry with push-button start, while the Limited included a six-way power driver's seat and automatic climate control.

In the 2021 Honda Civic sedan, entering and exiting required some effort due to its low seating position, beneficial for exercise but potentially inconvenient. The front seats were comfortable, with the driver’s seat providing eight-way power adjustment, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard starting with EX-L trim. The rear seats were roomy for adults, offering good thigh support, but the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a downside. The Civic’s center console was notably practical, featuring abundant storage options. The sedan’s trunk was spacious, at 15.1 cubic feet, slightly reduced to 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

In the 2021 Subaru Impreza, the base and Premium trims came with a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity, while higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim included an optional package with TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. A secondary display above the main touchscreen displayed information like estimated range, though its necessity was questionable given the small LCD in the gauge cluster. Overall, the Impreza’s infotainment system was user-friendly with large icons and straightforward navigation, though it lacked advanced tech features expected by tech-savvy shoppers.

The 2021 Honda Civic, particularly in lower trims like LX, faced technological limitations, featuring only a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a basic USB port. The Civic Sport upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, and smartphone integration. EX trim added HD Radio and SiriusXM, with the Touring trim including navigation, voice recognition, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The voice recognition system, however, was not sophisticated, and the 10-speaker setup offered premium sound quality. Utilizing Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was likely a more seamless experience for most users.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza earned an IIHS “Top Safety Pick” with Good scores in all crash tests, missing out on a “Top Safety Pick+” due to its standard headlights' Marginal rating. The Limited trim’s headlights received a Good rating. NHTSA gave both sedan and hatchback models a five-star overall safety rating. Subaru’s EyeSight safety suite was standard on CVT-equipped models, including features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Additional safety options included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

The 2021 Honda Civic was well-equipped with the Honda Sensing suite across all trims, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. Additionally, it offered multi-angle reversing cameras. However, the Civic’s LaneWatch system, monitoring the right lane with a camera, had limitations such as susceptibility to damage and inconvenience in use, and it lacked a traditional radar-based blind-spot warning system. The Civic excelled in NHTSA ratings, scoring five stars in all categories, and received IIHS Top Safety Pick designation for the Touring trim only, due to its superior LED headlights.