2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Toyota Prius

2021 Toyota Prius
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
$23,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
$23,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Toyota Prius is 6.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is the clear winner, offering a more enjoyable driving experience, better technology, and superior safety features.

Overview

MSRP

$24,525

MSRP

$23,550

Average price

$23,755

Average price

$25,067

Listings

263

Listings

850
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

6.2 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Sluggish performance
Pros
  • Manual transmission available
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Poor value for money
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Stereo is lacking

2021 Toyota Prius Reviews Summary

To many people, cars are appliances made to serve a function. These consumers own a car because they need to get from where they are to where they’re going, and with a minimum of hassle, expense, or discomfort. Reliability, efficiency, safety, and economy are the critical deciding factors, and the 2021 Toyota Prius delivers on all fronts.

Confusingly, for 2021, the Prius lineup offered a 2020 Edition. Toyota built just 2,020 examples to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first Prius sold in the U.S. market. It has blacked-out trim, black 17-inch wheels, a body-color rear spoiler, and comes in Supersonic Red or new Wind Chill paint colors.

Additionally, Toyota improved the 2021 Prius’s driving-assistance systems by making Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard across the board. Android Auto is also standard (joining Apple CarPlay), except for the unique infotainment system in the Prius Limited.

2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Reviews Summary

The very first Honda Civic was a hatchback. In fact, except for the period between 2006 and 2016, a hatch was almost always a part of the Honda Civic lineup. Now in its 11th generation, redesigned for 2022, the Honda Civic is again available as a hatchback, and the automaker expects it to be more popular than at any time since the 1990s. There is good reason for this optimism, as we discovered while testing two versions of the new 2022 Civic hatchback.
No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid

Engine

2.0L 158 hp I4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

FWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

Horsepower

158 hp @ 6500 rpm

EV Battery Capacity

0.7 kWh

EV Battery Capacity

MPG City

58

MPG City

30

MPG Highway

53

MPG Highway

38
2021 Toyota Prius
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
$23,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Toyota Prius
$24,525MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
$23,550MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Toyota Prius is 6.2 out of 10, while the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback scores 7.7 out of 10. Based on these ratings, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback is the clear winner, offering a more enjoyable driving experience, better technology, and superior safety features.

Overview
MSRP
$24,525
$23,550
Average price
$23,755
$25,067
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.8
4.5
Expert reviews

6.2 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Fuel-efficient
  • Quiet cabin
  • Excellent value for money
Cons
  • Potentially polarizing design
  • Sluggish performance
Pros
  • Manual transmission available
  • Standard advanced safety features
  • Spacious
Cons
  • Poor value for money
  • Underwhelming base engine
  • Stereo is lacking
Summary

To many people, cars are appliances made to serve a function. These consumers own a car because they need to get from where they are to where they’re going, and with a minimum of hassle, expense, or discomfort. Reliability, efficiency, safety, and economy are the critical deciding factors, and the 2021 Toyota Prius delivers on all fronts.

Confusingly, for 2021, the Prius lineup offered a 2020 Edition. Toyota built just 2,020 examples to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first Prius sold in the U.S. market. It has blacked-out trim, black 17-inch wheels, a body-color rear spoiler, and comes in Supersonic Red or new Wind Chill paint colors.

Additionally, Toyota improved the 2021 Prius’s driving-assistance systems by making Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 standard across the board. Android Auto is also standard (joining Apple CarPlay), except for the unique infotainment system in the Prius Limited.

The very first Honda Civic was a hatchback. In fact, except for the period between 2006 and 2016, a hatch was almost always a part of the Honda Civic lineup. Now in its 11th generation, redesigned for 2022, the Honda Civic is again available as a hatchback, and the automaker expects it to be more popular than at any time since the 1990s. There is good reason for this optimism, as we discovered while testing two versions of the new 2022 Civic hatchback.
Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.8L 121 hp I4 Hybrid
2.0L 158 hp I4
Drive Train
FWD
FWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
158 hp @ 6500 rpm
EV Battery Capacity
0.7 kWh
MPG City
58
30
MPG Highway
53
38
Look and feel
2021 Toyota Prius
5/10
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
9/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius retained its iconic boomerang-shaped hood and roofline, a design choice that had been part of its identity for over 15 years. Despite advancements in aerodynamic vehicle design, the Prius continued to sport this look, which many found unappealing, even in the trendy 2020 Edition with blacked-out trim. Inside, the Prius featured a unique and somewhat awkward layout, with instrumentation placed in a strip of displays near the windshield and unconventional transmission controls. The dashboard design, with its dramatic wrap into the door panels and a narrow center console, was cluttered with gloss-black trim that attracted dust and fingerprints.

Toyota offered the 2021 Prius in several trims: L Eco, LE, XLE, 2020 Edition, and Limited, with an optional AWD-e system for the LE and XLE trims. The Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, with different styling, was available in LE, XLE, and Limited trims. All Prius models were five-door hatchbacks, providing utility similar to a crossover SUV but without the rugged looks or ground clearance. Prices ranged from $24,525 to $32,650, excluding a $995 destination charge. The test vehicle, a Prius 2020 Edition in Supersonic Red, cost $31,295, including destination charges.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant share of the dwindling hatchback market, with production in an Indiana factory making it one of the few compact cars still made in the U.S. The new Civic hatchback shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but featured a unique rear design. It managed to balance its visual weight better than many small hatchbacks, though it still suffered from a somewhat stubby rear end. Inside, the Civic hatchback's Sport Touring trim offered sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, with high-quality controls and handsome metal honeycomb dashboard detailing. However, the CVT shifter operation was slightly janky.

Honda offered the Civic hatchback in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, with prices ranging from $22,900 to $29,400, plus a $1,015 destination charge. The test vehicles, both Sport Touring trims, included a Rallye Red car with a CVT priced at $30,415 and a Sonic Gray Pearl car with a six-speed manual transmission priced at $30,810. The new hatchback's design and features made it more appealing than most of its remaining rivals, though it still had room for improvement.

Performance
2021 Toyota Prius
5/10
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
8/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius focused on fuel efficiency, with the L Eco version achieving an impressive 56 mpg in combined driving according to the EPA. Other front-drive models earned a 52 mpg combined rating, while AWD-e models managed 49 mpg. However, the Prius 2020 Edition test vehicle averaged 47.5 mpg, falling short of EPA estimates. The Prius paired a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 53-kilowatt electric motor, an e-CVT, and either a lithium-ion (FWD) or nickel-metal hydride (AWD-e) battery pack, producing a total system output of 121 horsepower. The electric motor's 120 pound-feet of torque provided lively acceleration from a stop and allowed for electric-only driving at speeds under 25 mph.

The Prius offered Eco, Normal, and Power driving modes, with the latter adding noise rather than quicker acceleration. Regenerative braking helped keep the battery charged, and the TNGA platform provided a lower center of gravity and a more athletic feel. While the Prius could handle curvy roads with some enthusiasm, hard acceleration produced powertrain drone, and the tires prioritized fuel economy over grip. Despite these limitations, the Prius offered a predictable handling experience and commendable pedal feel and modulation.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet 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 generating 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The EX-L trim had a CVT, while the Sport Touring offered both transmission types.

The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no AWD option. The Sport and Sport Touring trims featured 18-inch aluminum wheels with 235/40 Continental all-season tires, while the LX had 16-inch wheels and the EX-L had 17-inch wheels. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, with paddle shifters providing a more traditional transmission feel. The six-speed manual transmission in the Sport Touring trim offered short throws, fluid gear engagement, and excellent clutch modulation.

The Civic hatchback's suspension tuning provided a firm yet comfortable ride, with good steering and braking feel. However, the all-season tires and brakes were not ideal for aggressive driving on winding roads. Despite this, the Civic hatchback delivered an enjoyable driving experience and good fuel economy, with the CVT achieving 33 mpg in combined driving and the manual transmission averaging 30.2 mpg.

Form and function
2021 Toyota Prius
6/10
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
8/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius offered more interior space than expected, with room for up to five people. The seats were comfortable, though the SofTex synthetic leather upholstery could trap sweat. The test vehicle featured an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the low seating position made entry and exit more difficult. The rear seats provided adequate foot room, legroom, and headroom but lacked air-conditioning vents.

Cargo space varied by trim level, with 24.6 to 27.4 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 47.9 to 50.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a 24.5 cubic feet trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The rear seats also lacked air-conditioning vents, but rear smartphone charging ports were appreciated.

The driver’s seat offered eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats were heated. The Civic hatchback featured black fabric seats in LX and Sport trims, while the EX-L and Sport Touring trims had black leather upholstery. Automatic climate control was standard, with a dual-zone system in the EX-L and Sport Touring trims.

Technology
2021 Toyota Prius
4/10
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
8/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with stereo-volume and tuning knobs, Bluetooth, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect. The Limited trim added a 10-speaker JBL premium sound system, navigation, and a natural voice recognition system, paired with an 11.6-inch portrait-style touchscreen. However, the sound quality was poor, and the digital instrumentation was dated.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with a new infotainment system. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims had a 7-inch touchscreen display with physical knobs and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim featured 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 Civic also included a small shelf to steady your hand while using the touchscreen. The voice recognition system worked well, and the digital instrumentation included a 7-inch screen with an analog speedometer or a 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring trim.

Safety
2021 Toyota Prius
8/10
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
9/10

The 2021 Toyota Prius came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and road-sign recognition. The LE trim and higher also included blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Safety Connect services were standard for three years. The Prius received favorable marks from the IIHS but lacked an NHTSA rating.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured Honda Sensing, which included 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 and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning were available in the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS.

Cost Effectiveness
2021 Toyota Prius
9/10
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback
4/10
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