2022 Honda Civic vs 2023 Toyota Prius

CarGurus experts have given both the 2022 Honda Civic and the 2023 Toyota Prius a commendable rating of 9 out of 10 for their respective designs. The 2022 Honda Civic introduces a more conservative and grown-up aesthetic compared to its predecessor, adopting a look similar to the larger Accord. This design shift emphasizes a tailored appearance with less emphasis on flashiness, likely attracting those who appreciate subtlety and maturity in car design. The interior continues this theme with a minimalistic approach and improved materials, particularly in the Touring trim, enhancing the overall feel of sophistication. The 2023 Toyota Prius, on the other hand, breaks away from its traditional focus on efficiency over aesthetics with a comprehensive makeover. The result is a sleek and futuristic exterior that doesn't shy away from boldness, yet remains accessible to a broad audience. The new Prius also boasts improved handling thanks to its repositioned wheels and optimized dimensions. Interior quality and design have seen significant upgrades, with high-quality materials and a layout that prioritizes functionality while still maintaining comfort and appeal.

CarGurus rates the performance of the 2022 Honda Civic at 9 out of 10, highlighting its enjoyable ride and handling dynamics across both engine options. The Civic's 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offers adequate performance, while the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine delivers a more compelling mix of power and efficiency. The Civic's CVT transmission has been refined for a more natural driving experience, especially in Sport and Touring trims. The 2023 Toyota Prius receives a 7 out of 10 for performance, marking a significant improvement in power and acceleration over its predecessor thanks to a new 2.0-liter engine paired with a more powerful electric motor. This combination offers a noticeable boost in performance, with quicker acceleration times and a more responsive drive. However, despite these advancements, the Prius focuses more on comfort and efficiency than outright performance.

The 2022 Honda Civic scores an 8 out of 10 for its blend of comfort and practicality, which are key characteristics for any compact sedan. The redesign brings enhanced front seats that offer superior support, addressing long drives with ease. While the new interior layout has sacrificed some storage versatility, such as the previous model's more flexible center console, it compensates with a more user-friendly design. Trunk space is generous for the segment, offering 14.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, or slightly less at 14.4 cubic feet in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system equipment. This capacity ensures that the Civic can handle a good amount of luggage, making it suitable for most travel needs. The 2023 Toyota Prius, rated at 7 out of 10, sees its form and function evolve with the model's redesign. Despite a sleeker exterior, the Prius's interior dimensions have slightly contracted, affecting headroom but not at the expense of overall comfort. Legroom improvements across both rows enhance passenger comfort, ensuring that taller individuals can find a relaxing seating position even in the back. The Prius also offers a commendable luggage capacity, although it has decreased from the previous model, with 20 cubic feet available in XLE and Limited trims and 24 cubic feet in the LE trim. Despite the reduction, the Prius remains practical, with thoughtful interior storage solutions and a layout that supports everyday usability.

Technology scores reflect a slight advantage for the Civic at 8 out of 10, compared to the Prius at 7 out of 10. The Honda Civic impresses with its advanced digital instrumentation and comprehensive infotainment offerings, especially in the Touring trim, which includes a large touchscreen and a premium audio system. The Toyota Prius offers a solid tech package as well, with its upgraded touchscreen systems and connectivity features, although it falls short with some of its subscription-based services.

In safety, the 2023 Toyota Prius outshines the Civic with a 9 out of 10 rating, thanks to its comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 package that provides a wide array of advanced driver assistance features. The 2022 Honda Civic, scoring a 7 out of 10, also offers a robust safety suite, but its distribution of features across trims and the absence of certain technologies in lower trims detract from its overall score.

Cost-effectiveness sees the 2022 Honda Civic with a 5 out of 10, as it approaches the $30,000 price mark without offering the same level of ownership perks as some competitors. The 2023 Toyota Prius, rated at 6 out of 10, also sees a price increase but justifies this with significant improvements in style, technology, and performance, making it a compelling option despite the higher initial cost.