2021 Toyota Camry vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past reputation for being a mundane, almost generic vehicle. Toyota’s designers incorporated a series of styling details to add excitement, such as flared wheel arches and thin headlights and taillights, which visually expanded the car's profile. However, opting for the SE, XSE, or TRD trim levels added a series of fake vents that cluttered the overall look. The more restrained LE and XLE models featured a different grille that, while massive, remained cleaner in appearance. Toyota utilized the TNGA-K platform, also found in models like the RAV4 SUV and the larger Avalon sedan.

For 2021, Toyota updated the front-fascia styling, although changes were subtle. The TRD performance model retained unique elements like a larger rear spoiler, and the Nightshade Edition carried forward with blacked-out exterior trim and wheels. Wheel sizes varied by trim, with 17-inch alloys on the base LE and 18-inch and 19-inch variants available on higher trims.

Inside, the Camry continued the exterior's chaotic theme. The SE Nightshade Edition’s dashboard seemed cobbled together from separate design elements, featuring an array of contrast stitching, piano black plastic, and carbon-fiber-like trims. Although upper trims got leather upholstery, the overall design lacked cohesion, and the material quality felt subpar for this segment.

The 2022 Honda Civic embarked on a different path, offering a more conservative and mature façade. With prices starting at $21,700 for the LX and reaching up to $28,300 for the Touring trim, Honda provided a more grown-up aesthetic. The Civic’s design drew comparisons to the longer-wheelbase Accord, stepping away from the flashy looks of its predecessors. While some may have found the new appearance more plain, those who disliked the previous model’s design likely appreciated the new direction.

Inside, Honda focused on simplicity, returning to basics with an elegant and minimalistic approach. The dashboard featured a span of metal honeycomb mesh that cleverly concealed the air vents. Improved materials and straightforward controls added to the sense of maturity, especially evident in the Touring trim. Overall, the Civic’s interior showcased a deliberate and cohesive design, contrasting sharply with the Camry’s more erratic interior styling.

Under the hood, the 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, known as the Dynamic Force, produced 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque with front-wheel drive (FWD) and slightly less with all-wheel drive (AWD). XSE models with FWD got a small power boost, achieving 206 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. For those seeking more power, the 3.5-liter V6 engine delivered 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, a hybrid variant combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with electric assist, resulting in a total system output of 208 horsepower, available only with FWD.

The SE Nightshade Edition we tested had the base four-cylinder engine with AWD. Despite this seemingly unexciting setup, the Dynamic Force engine surprised with its peppy nature and sporty sound. Handling was balanced, providing both lively cornering ability and a smooth ride. Although the steering lacked feel, it was precise and responsive. The result was a driving experience that somewhat rewarded enthusiasts, even without opting for the TRD model, which featured V6 power and numerous performance upgrades.

In comparison, the 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine choices. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. While adequate, it was overshadowed by the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder available in the EX and Touring trims. This turbo engine generated 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, delivering a more engaging driving experience thanks to its broad torque range.

Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), each receiving new Step Shift programming to mimic traditional automatic transmissions. The Sport and Touring trims featured a Sport mode that enhanced responsiveness. Improved structural rigidity, suspension tuning, and steering feedback made the Civic fun to drive, especially in the Touring trim, which accelerated more quickly than its siblings.

Honda’s efforts to reduce noise, vibration, and harshness resulted in a quieter and more refined ride compared to the previous generation. However, during a 95-mile driving loop, our Civic Touring test vehicle returned only 30.4 mpg, falling short of the EPA’s estimate of 34 mpg, likely due to our enjoyment of its performance.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered ample rear headroom and legroom compared to other midsize sedans, though this came at a slight cost to front headroom and legroom. Nevertheless, the front seats provided sufficient adjustability for most drivers, combined with good comfort and support. Excellent outward visibility was another plus.

With 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, the Camry’s trunk volume was about average for a midsize sedan but lagged behind the Honda Accord’s 16.7 cubic feet. Interior storage was limited, with small cupholders and door bottle holders, and items often got stuck in the door storage bin crevices. However, the analog controls for key functions, including large knobs for volume and tuning, enhanced usability despite their sometimes awkward placement.

The 2022 Honda Civic, designed with comfort in mind, featured newly redesigned front seats offering exceptional support. In the Touring trim, power-adjustable driver’s seats allowed for a perfect position, though they lacked ventilation. The fixed passenger seat lacked height adjustment but still provided excellent thigh support. However, headroom was limited.

Sitting low to the ground made entry and exit a bit challenging, although the rear seat offered more legroom than many rivals, making rear access easier. The rear seats had good thigh support but a slightly reclined backrest angle that might not suit everyone. Notably, the Civic lacked rear climate control vents, a disappointing oversight. Tourin trim models also lost heated rear seats.

The redesigned center console traded flexibility for a more conventional design, losing the sliding armrest and deep storage bin but gaining better cupholders. The trunk offered 14.8 cubic feet of space, or 14.4 cubes in the Touring trim due to premium sound system components. Despite the smaller trunk in the Touring trim, it still accommodated full-size suitcases standing on their sides, and the split-folding rear seat added functionality.

Comparatively, the Camry provided more interior room for backseat passengers but had a smaller trunk volume, whereas the Civic favored front-seat comfort and had a slightly smaller but still practical cargo space.

The 2021 Toyota Camry’s standard infotainment package included a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a three-month free trial. Higher trims upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen, Wi-Fi capability for up to five devices, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. The XSE and XLE trims also offered a 10-inch head-up display (HUD).

Standard connectivity options included one USB media port, two USB charge ports, and a 12-volt outlet, all conveniently located in the cubby hole ahead of the shifter. However, higher trims did not offer additional ports.

While the touchscreen menus were user-friendly, the graphics appeared plain. Toyota’s system was functional but not particularly noteworthy.

In the 2022 Honda Civic, digital instrumentation was standard, growing from seven inches in lower trims to ten inches in the Touring trim. The larger display offered more customization, driving data, and a Vehicle Activity display, which showed the status of lights and signals, an ingenious feature to prevent driving with headlights inadvertently turned off.

Honda's infotainment system shone with a 7-inch touchscreen in the base setup, offering volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The screen's recessed design provided a stabilization point for the hand. Standard audio systems varied by trim, with the base having four speakers, the Sport and EX getting eight, and the Touring featuring a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system, delivering a compelling audio experience thanks to early Bose involvement in speaker positioning.

The Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and navigation. Despite a slow load time on engine startup, the system performed excellently, especially the voice recognition features, marking a notable improvement over the previous generation.

The 2021 Toyota Camry received top safety ratings. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a "Top Safety Pick+," and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it a five-star overall rating, including top marks in front, side, and rollover crash tests.

Standard safety features included the updated TSS 2.5+ package, offering adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and traffic sign recognition. Enhancements included acceleration assistance during lane changes and improved cyclist and pedestrian detection. The new Rear Seat Reminder aimed to prevent leaving children or pets in the back seat, though its effectiveness in distracted scenarios was debatable. Optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available, standard on higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic impressed with its upgraded Honda Sensing suite. Standard features included Traffic Jam Assist for its Level 2 adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. Thanks to a wide-view front camera and eight sonar sensors, these systems operated more smoothly.

The Civic’s notorious LaneWatch system was replaced with a proper blind-spot warning system in the EX and Touring trims, with the latter adding rear cross-traffic alert. However, these features were unavailable in the base LX and popular Sport trims, leaving younger drivers without crucial safety technology.

The Civic's vehicle architecture improved collision protection, incorporating new front airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags for the first time. A rear-seat reminder system was standard across all trims, further enhancing safety.