2023 BMW 3 Series vs 2022 Honda Civic

In 2022, Honda offered the Civic sedan in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims. Prices began at $21,700 for the LX and peaked at $28,300 for the Touring, excluding a $995 destination charge. A new five-door hatchback variant was also reintroduced, though the two-door coupe remained a memory. Our evaluation focused on a Civic Touring model in Morning Mist Blue, which added $395 to the price, bringing it to $29,690, including destination charges.

Another model sampled was the Civic Sport, adorned in extra-charge Platinum White Pearl paint and featuring the new Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, estimated just shy of $25,880. The redesigned 2022 Civic immediately resembled the larger, longer-wheelbase Accord sedan and adopted a more conservative and plain look than its predecessor. The styling revised to be more tailored, and mature satisfied those who found the previous Civic's design unappealing.

Inside, Honda aimed for simplicity reminiscent of older Civics, resulting in a minimalistic layout. A distinctive metal honeycomb mesh spanned the dashboard, elegantly hiding air vents. Improved materials, particularly in the Touring trim, gave the interior a sense of maturity absent in the previous generation.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series, on the other hand, introduced subtle yet sporty exterior updates. Retaining the slim kidney grille, the 3 Series received redesigned full-LED headlights with inverted L-shaped daytime running lights and reshaped lower air intakes. The overall appearance was further enhanced with 18-inch double-spoke light alloys as standard, with optional 19-inch wheel upgrades available.

Shadowline trim became standard, and new paint choices like Skyscraper Grey and Brooklyn Grey metallic were available. The M340i trim featured exclusive mesh-design kidney grilles, trapezoidal tailpipes, and a body-colored M rear spoiler. The real design changes occurred in the cabin, highlighted by the new BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8, combining a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen. This resulted in a driver-focused cockpit with a minimalistic dashboard.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the EX and Touring trims. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The turbocharged engine, with its broad rev range from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm, provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. The new Step Shift programming improved the CVT, mimicking the sensation of a traditional automatic.

The Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for enhanced responsiveness, while improved structural rigidity and revised suspension tuning contributed to enjoyable handling without sacrificing ride quality. However, the Civic Touring's real-world fuel economy fell short of the EPA estimate of 34 mpg, returning only 30.4 mpg over a 95-mile test loop.

For the 2023 BMW 3 Series, the carryover powertrains included a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine for the 330i and 330e (with electric assist for the latter) and a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six for the M340i. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) was standard, with xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) available.

The 330i produced 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds. The 330e, with its electric motor, offered a combined output of 288 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds and providing up to 22 miles of electric-only range. The M340i, featuring a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivered 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds.

Fuel economy ratings were competitive, with the 330i achieving 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined. The 330e offered 28 combined mpg on gas and 75 MPGe combined in electric mode. The M340i achieved 23 city, 31 highway, and 26 combined mpg.

Our test drive of a RWD BMW 330i outfitted with the M Sport package, Dynamic Handling package, and Driving Assistance package revealed a quiet and comfortable ride in Comfort mode, with neutral but precise steering. In Sport mode, the turbocharged inline-four provided ample power, though the engine note was subdued. The car excelled in sharp cornering and hard braking, making it a fun canyon carver, but retained a comfortable suspension and neutral steering, distinguishing it as more of an all-season performer than a sport-tuned driver.

For the 2022 Honda Civic, comfort was a hallmark. The redesigned front seats provided better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The power driver's seat allowed for an ideal position behind the wheel, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster due to limited headroom. The Civic sat low to the ground, which could pose difficulties for some individuals entering and exiting the car. The back seat offered ample legroom, improving ease of entry and exit, though the backrest angle might feel too reclined for some.

Rear passengers had access to two USB ports, but the absence of air conditioning vents was a notable oversight. The Touring trim lacked heated rear cushions for 2022. The redesigned center console offered less storage space and flexibility, with a more conventional layout. Trunk volume remained generous at 14.8 cubic feet (14.4 in the Touring trim due to premium sound system components), accommodating full-size suitcases on their sides and featuring a split-folding backseat for added utility.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series boasted a compact yet non-claustrophobic interior. Front headroom measured 38.7 inches, with 42 inches of legroom. Rear occupants enjoyed 37.6 inches of headroom and 35.2 inches of legroom, providing ample space for average-sized adults. While taller passengers might find it snug, this was expected in vehicles within this segment.

Standard upholstery was SensaTec faux leather, with supportive power-adjustable front sport seats featuring good bolstering and adjustable thigh support. The seat bottom cushion, however, was slightly stiff. The leather steering wheel offered excellent grip, enhancing driving comfort. The overall ergonomics were well-designed, with controls easily accessible, including the intuitive iDrive controller knob.

The 3 Series provided 17 cubic feet of cargo capacity, with rear seats that folded in a 40/20/40 split configuration to accommodate larger items. With the seats up, a mix of carry-on and check-in-sized suitcases fit comfortably. Standard amenities included a power moonroof, with available features such as a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, power lumbar support, keyless entry, and remote start.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim upgrading the display panel from seven inches to ten inches. The larger panel offered greater customization, driving environment data, and a Vehicle Activity display to show headlight and taillight status, enhancing safety.

The standard infotainment setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Sport and EX trims doubled the speaker count from LX's four to eight, while the Touring trim boasted a 12-speaker Bose Centerpoint 2 premium surround-sound audio system. The Touring trim also offered a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, HD radio, satellite radio, and a navigation system.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series introduced the BMW Curved Display with iDrive 8. The setup combined a 12.3-inch driver information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, offering a user-friendly experience similar to smartphones and tablets. The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant enhanced functionality by responding to natural speech commands, minimizing frustrations associated with voice-activated systems.

Standard tech features included USB-C ports, enhanced Bluetooth, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a 10-speaker HiFi sound system, and a one-year SiriusXM subscription. Optional features included wireless device charging, a premium Harman Kardon surround sound system, and a wireless 5G hotspot.

The 2022 Honda Civic came equipped with the upgraded Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The improved performance was attributed to a new wide-view front camera and eight ultrasonic sonar sensors.

The Civic also replaced the outdated LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system on the EX trim and a rear cross-traffic alert system on the Touring trim. The vehicle's architecture was stronger, offering better protection in collisions with larger vehicles. New front airbags and rear side-impact airbags enhanced safety, along with a standard rear-seat reminder system.

The 2023 BMW 3 Series earned a five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had yet to rate the 2023 model, but the 2022 model received a Top Safety Pick designation, falling short of the "Plus" distinction due to Poor-rated headlights.

Standard safety features included a rearview camera, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, BMW Assist eCall, Active Guard, and Active Protection System. The Driving Assistance Package added active blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, park-distance control, and pedestrian and frontal collision warnings. The Driving Assistance Professional Package offered semi-autonomous driving systems, lane-keep assist, lane-change assist, emergency stop assistant, and evasion aid. Additional options included a head-up display, Parking Distance Control, and Drive Recorder.