2022 BMW 3 Series vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 BMW 3 Series lineup included the 330i, 330e, M340i, and M3, with base prices ranging from $41,450 to $73,000, excluding a $995 destination charge. Each version had a different powertrain, with the 330i and 330e featuring a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the latter paired with plug-in hybrid technology. The M340i boasted a turbocharged six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology, while the high-performance M3 was the top-tier model. The M340i test vehicle, priced at $67,390, featured Barbera Red special-order paint, Cognac-color SensaTec upholstery, and several optional packages, including the Driving Assistance Pro and Adaptive M Suspension.

The M340i's exterior design included exclusive grille and bumper designs, Shadowline trim, and blue brake calipers. The Cooling and High-Performance Tire package added 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires, enhancing the car's stance. Inside, the SensaTec upholstery mimicked leather, and the Cognac color contrasted sharply with the dark cabin. The 3 Series' interior featured quality materials and a technical design, focusing on driving enjoyment rather than luxury.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant market share as other automakers phased out hatchbacks. Honda's redesigned Civic hatchback, produced in Indiana, was poised to serve as the foundation for the revived 2023 Acura Integra. The Civic hatchback was available 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 model with a CVT and a Sonic Gray Pearl model with a six-speed manual transmission, priced at $30,415 and $30,810, respectively.

The new hatchback's design resembled the Civic sedan from the front doors forward, with unique grille and wheel designs. The rear-quarter view suggested a balanced visual weight, but the profile revealed a "stubby butt" syndrome. Inside, the Civic hatchback's Sport Touring trim featured sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, with metal honeycomb dashboard detailing and high-quality controls. The CVT shifter operation was slightly janky, detracting from the overall sense of sophistication.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, delivering 382 horsepower between 5,800 rpm and 6,500 rpm and 368 pound-feet of torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,000 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the M340i accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The car's M Sport suspension, variable sport steering, and M Sport brakes contributed to its impressive handling and driving dynamics. The M340i returned 24.9 mpg on the evaluation route, slightly below the EPA rating of 26 mpg in combined driving.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque for the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, while the six-speed manual transmission provided a more engaging driving experience. The Civic hatchback's suspension and steering offered a balance between comfort and sportiness, but the brakes were not up to repeated hard use. The Sport Touring trim achieved 32.1 mpg with the CVT and 30.2 mpg with the manual transmission, close to the EPA estimates.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series M340i featured power-adjustable front sport seats with ample support and a perfect driving position. The rear seat offered enough legroom for four relatively tall passengers, though the center rear seating position was likely to go unused. The car included a three-zone automatic climate control system, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel available through the Premium package. The 17 cubic-foot trunk and 40/20/40-split folding rear seat added practicality, though a sports wagon would have been even better.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a 24.5 cubic-foot trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The 60/40-split folding rear seat provided additional cargo space, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, but 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 EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured black leather upholstery and dual-zone automatic climate control.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series came standard with Live Cockpit Professional, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and navigation. The iDrive 7.0 system was intuitive, with multiple control options, including a gesture control system. The car featured Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, and a 10-speaker HiFi sound system. The Connected Package Pro included BMW Remote Services and the Intelligent Personal Assistant. The optional Premium package added a head-up display, and the Driving Assistance Professional package included a surround-view camera system and autonomous parking capability.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display for LX, Sport, and EX-L trims, and a 9-inch touchscreen display for the Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring trim also included 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's infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical knobs for sound system controls and a shelf for steadying the hand while operating the touchscreen. The Sport Touring trim also featured a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display.

The 2022 BMW 3 Series included the Active Guard package, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, city-speed automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The optional Driving Assistance package added a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Driving Assistance Professional package included lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, evasive-steering assist, and Extended Traffic Jam Assistant. The 3 Series earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the Honda Sensing suite, 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, while the Sport Touring trim also included rear cross-traffic warning and Low-Speed Braking Control. The Civic hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.