2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, as part of its 12th generation, was arguably the most attractive Corolla of recent times. This was particularly true for the SE and XSE trims, which sported design elements like sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a twin-outlet exhaust, a subtle body kit, and striking 18-inch aluminum wheels. Order it in Celestite Gray metallic paint, which had a beautiful blue undertone, and the Corolla was genuinely captivating.

However, certain design aspects were not universally appealing. The hood shut line extending to the headlight assembly and the jutting bumper slightly truncated the front end, highlighting the massive overbite and the gaping maw. The rear quarter view was the car’s best angle, despite the rear bumper being somewhat outlandishly styled. The Apex Edition exaggerated these less favored elements even further.

For those who wanted a less conspicuous vehicle, Toyota offered the Corolla L, LE, or XLE, as well as the fuel-efficient Corolla Hybrid available in LE trim, which offered a more affordable route to achieving over 50 mpg. The Corolla’s pricing ranged from $19,925 to $24,325 excluding destination charges. The review specifically covered the Corolla SE, priced at $22,375, and the Corolla XSE, priced at $25,825, the sportier versions with a more powerful engine and unique transmissions.

The XSE trim’s interior was markedly more sophisticated compared to previous Corolla models, featuring soft leatherette for the dashboard, finely padded door panels, and robust switchgear lending an impression of high quality. The design was simple and minimalist, avoiding the common pitfalls of over-complication despite lacking practical storage due to a center console designed more for aesthetics than functionality.

The 2021 Honda Civic, continuing its tradition of releasing impactful designs about every decade, presented a more refined model for 2021. Available in sedan, hatchback, and the performance-tuned Type R format, the Civic lineup saw the discontinuation of the two-door coupe and the Civic Si sedan. For 2021, the Civic sedan came in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring trims, ranging from $21,250 to $28,300 excluding the $995 destination charge.

The Touring sedan tested came in a stunning Cosmic Blue Metallic paint, enhancing its appeal combined with 18-inch wheels. Although the 10th-generation Civic’s design was polarizing at launch, with over a million on the road, its styling became a familiar sight. Despite the dated interior design, the materials and thoughtful detailing, particularly the aging infotainment system with its limiting 7-inch screen, still upheld the Civic's reputation as a trendsetter.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE featured a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. It paired with a Dynamic Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT), paddle shifters, and a Sport driving mode. The SE trim offered an optional six-speed manual transmission for an additional $200. The CVT used a mechanical first gear to eliminate the traditional slip and drone of CVTs, showcasing ten programmed ratios for a more conventional drive feel.

Built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform, the Corolla demonstrated a low center of gravity and engaging driving dynamics. It featured electric steering, vented front and solid disc rear brakes, and a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. The SE and XSE trims differentiated themselves through 18-inch aluminum wheels and more aggressive all-season tires. Even with limited power, the Corolla XSE provided unflappable predictability and competent handling, offering enough engagement and performance within its segment. The EPA estimated 34 mpg in combined driving for the XSE, while our real-world tests averaged 31.1 mpg.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice between a standard 2.0-liter engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque and a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine delivering 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, available in EX, EX-L, and Touring trims. The turbocharged engine offered a more exhilarating drive experience, starting its 162 lb-ft of torque at just 1,700 rpm and maintaining it up to 5,500 rpm.

While the Civic had a sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and delightful steering and handling qualities, the CVT paired with the turbo 1.5-liter engine detracted from the car’s overall driving pleasure. Despite paddle shifters and a Sport mode, the CVT felt unsophisticated, with droning and a less responsive gear shift. However, the excellent fuel economy averaging 34.8 mpg on a 140-mile loop highlighted the CVT’s efficiency.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla in XSE trim provided several interior upgrades, featuring SofTex leatherette seats with fabric inserts and heated front seats. Noteworthy was the eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, significantly enhancing comfort and driving position. However, the front passenger seat did not offer any height adjustment, though it remained supportive.

The rear seats also provided commendable support, albeit with limited headroom and legroom. The Corolla sedan offered 13.1 cubic feet of trunk space, slightly below some competitors but still practical. The Corolla hatchback, meanwhile, provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda Civic's low seating position made getting in and out challenging, though it offered a comfortable interior once seated. Most Civic models featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, while the front passenger still lacked height adjustment. Despite this, the Civic's rear seats comfortably accommodated adults with excellent thigh support and a good backrest angle.

The Civic outshone the Corolla with its trunk capacity, offering 15.1 cubic feet in standard models and 14.7 cubic feet in the Touring trim, which used space for a premium audio system. The Civic’s center console was notably practical, with an abundance of storage spaces for various items.

For 2021, the Toyota Corolla enhanced its infotainment by including Android Auto as standard, complementing existing features like Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, Safety Connect services, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Corolla SE and XSE trims also offered a larger 8-inch touchscreen, while the XSE included additional features like Remote Connect, which provided remote start and other telematics functionalities.

The infotainment system was user-friendly with physical knobs for radio volume and tuning, and robust voice recognition. However, the radio knobs could be more prominent, and the JBL premium sound system, while offering depth, lacked clarity.

Conversely, the Honda Civic's technology appeared dated, especially in the base LX trim, which only provided a 5-inch LCD screen, Bluetooth, and a basic USB port. The Civic Sport upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an eight-speaker sound system. The EX trim brought HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the Touring trim featured navigation and a 10-speaker premium sound system.

The Civic's infotainment system, particularly the voice recognition, was less advanced and demanded specific prompts for successful operation. Most users would rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for a better interface.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla boasted an impressive array of safety features under the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) package. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping and centering assistance, and automatic high beams. Furthermore, the addition of rear side-impact airbags and enhancements to the blind-spot monitoring system established the Corolla as a well-protected vehicle.

While certain features like the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assistance could be slightly unrefined in operation, the overall performance of these safety systems was sound. Previous Corollas earned high safety ratings, with the 2020 model achieving a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

Similarly, the 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. Honda’s LaneWatch, available from the EX trim onwards, provided a live video feed of the right lane, though it was limited in scope and usability compared to traditional radar-based systems.

Despite these limitations, the Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, indicating its robust safety credentials.