2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Toyota Corolla

The 2021 Toyota Corolla, particularly in its 12th-generation form, was considered one of the most attractive Corollas in recent history. The SE and XSE trims added sporty design elements like sport-design bumpers, a mesh grille insert, a subtle body kit, and 18-inch aluminum wheels, making it genuinely appealing, especially in Celestite Gray metallic paint. However, some design aspects, such as the hood shut line and the over-styled rear bumper, detracted from its overall aesthetic. The Corolla L, LE, and XLE trims offered a more anonymous look, while the Corolla Hybrid provided an affordable path to high fuel efficiency.

Inside, the Corolla XSE's interior was a significant improvement over previous models, featuring soft leatherette for the dashboard, densely padded upper door panels, and robust switchgear. The design was clean and minimalist, though practical storage was somewhat lacking due to a center console design that prioritized form over function.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant share of the hatchback market, especially as other automakers phased out their hatchback models. Built in Indiana, the new Civic hatchback shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear. The Sport Touring trim added sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, enhancing its modern appearance. However, the Civic hatchback still suffered from a somewhat stubby rear design.

Inside, the Civic hatchback offered comfortable seating with sufficient legroom, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the Sport Touring trim featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control. The trunk provided a generous 24.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla SE and XSE were equipped with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower at 6,600 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine was paired with a Dynamic Shift continuously variable transmission (CVT) featuring paddle shifters and a Sport driving mode. A six-speed manual gearbox with downshift rev-matching was also available for an additional $200. The CVT in the XSE test car was one of the best examples of its kind, using a mechanical first gear to eliminate drivetrain slip and offering ten programmed ratios to mimic traditional transmission behavior.

The Corolla's TNGA platform provided a low center of gravity and enjoyable driving dynamics, with electric steering, vented front and solid rear disc brakes, and a MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension. The SE and XSE trims featured 18-inch aluminum wheels and 225/40 all-season tires. Despite its modest power, the Corolla XSE offered predictable handling and a fun driving experience, with an EPA-rated fuel economy of 34 mpg combined. In real-world testing, it averaged 31.1 mpg on a mountainous route.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission in the Sport trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The EX-L was CVT-only, while the Sport Touring offered both transmission options.

The Civic hatchback's suspension used MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link independent design in the rear, with 18-inch aluminum wheels and 235/40 all-season tires on the Sport and Sport Touring trims. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, offering smooth and quiet operation, while the six-speed manual transmission provided a delightful driving experience with short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic hatchback delivered a balanced ride, with firm yet comfortable suspension tuning and responsive steering and brakes. Fuel economy was impressive, with the Sport Touring CVT achieving 33 mpg combined and the manual version averaging 31 mpg combined.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla XSE offered numerous interior upgrades, including SofTex leatherette seats with striped fabric inserts, front-seat heating, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. This feature provided added comfort and a commanding driving position with clear sightlines. The rear seats offered good support but had limited headroom and legroom, with no rear air conditioning vents. The Corolla sedan's trunk provided 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, while the hatchback version offered 17.8 cubic feet.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a trunk measuring 24.5 cubic feet and a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added versatility. The load floor was not flat, but the design maximized space behind the back seat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the Sport Touring trim featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla came with an impressive infotainment package, including Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard. The SE and XSE trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, with the XSE adding Service Connect and Remote Connect. The SE and XSE also offered a nine-speaker JBL premium sound system, dynamic voice recognition, and dynamic navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs and shortcut buttons, though the radio knobs could be more accessible, and the JBL sound system lacked clarity.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, physical knobs, and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the LX, Sport, and EX-L trims. The Sport Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless smartphone charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 surround-sound audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs and a hand-rest shelf improved usability, and the voice recognition system worked well. The Sport Touring's digital instrumentation included a 10.2-inch display panel, while lower trims had a 7-inch screen with an analog speedometer.

The 2021 Toyota Corolla featured the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Corolla also added standard rear side-impact airbags and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic warning. The Corolla earned a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the IIHS and a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, Road Departure Mitigation, and Lane Keeping Assist. New features included low-speed following capability and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims added a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, the highest possible rating.