2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Lexus IS

Nearly 15 years ago, the original 2008 Lexus IS F debuted with a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 417 horsepower and 371 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Priced at $56,000, it was a rear-wheel-drive marvel. Fast forward to 2022, the Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance arrived with a similar 5.0-liter V8 engine, now delivering 472 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque, still channeled to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic. The base price was $56,500, plus a $1,075 destination charge. The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance retained the spirit of its predecessor, offering an exhilarating driving experience on Arizona’s North Seven Springs Road. It combined emotional thrill with daily driving comfort, though it came at a premium price. The test car, equipped with Premium trim and Iridium paint, totaled $62,575. The IS 500 featured subtle styling tweaks, exclusive 19-inch wheels, and a raised hood to accommodate the V8 engine. Inside, it shared much with the IS 350 F Sport, including a quality interior and a wide touchscreen display, though the touchpad controller remained a space-consuming feature. The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the shrinking hatchback market, rolling out of an Indiana factory. It was expected to serve as the foundation for the revived 2023 Acura Integra, potentially sparking a hatchback renaissance. The new Civic hatchback needed to prove itself, and based on a week of driving, it was more appealing than most rivals, though not without room for improvement. Honda offered the Civic hatch 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 cars, both Sport Touring trims, featured a CVT and a six-speed manual transmission, priced at $30,415 and $30,810, respectively. The new hatchback shared its front design with the Civic sedan but had a distinct rear. Inside, the Sport Touring trim added sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, though the CVT shifter operation detracted from the overall sense of sophistication.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was a rear-wheel-drive powerhouse, featuring a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. It weighed 11 pounds less than the RC F coupe and 143 pounds less than the GS F sedan, with a weight distribution of 56% front and 44% rear. The eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential were standard, with driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport+. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The IS 500 featured an adaptive variable suspension and a Yamaha rear performance damper, providing a comfortable ride and greater stability. The brakes were upgraded for better cooling and withstood abuse in triple-digit heat. The car felt comfortable and easy to drive, with a throaty engine note. However, road noise on the freeway was unexpected. The V8 engine was impressive, though it required a moment to build revs in Normal mode. Sport S and Sport S+ modes quickened response, but not dramatically. The IS 500 excelled on winding roads, offering a thrilling experience with an intoxicating soundtrack. Fuel efficiency was a downside, averaging 17.7 mpg, below the EPA rating of 20 mpg combined. The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims had a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The EX-L came only with the CVT, while the Sport Touring offered both transmission types. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a variable-ratio electric steering system and disc brakes. The Sport and Sport Touring trims rode on 18-inch wheels with 235/40 Continental all-season tires. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, offering smooth and quiet operation. The Sport Touring with the six-speed manual transmission was a delight, featuring short throws and fluid gear engagement. The turbo engine provided quick and effortless acceleration, while the suspension offered a firm yet comfortable ride. However, the brakes were not up to repeated hard use, and the all-season tires lacked grip during spirited driving. Fuel economy was impressive, with the CVT achieving 32.1 mpg and the manual 30.2 mpg, close to the EPA estimates.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 excelled in comfort, with an effective climate control system and seat ventilation. The front seats were snug yet comfortable, with excellent thigh support and a driver-focused position. The rear seats were adequate for average-height adults, though lacking smartphone charging. Storage was decent but could be improved, with the touchpad controller taking up space. The trunk was small at 10.8 cubic feet. The control layout was excellent, with clear buttons and knobs, making the touchscreen infotainment system easy to use. The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback prioritized function, offering a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat was a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom. The Sport Touring’s front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver’s seat had eight-way power adjustment, and both front seats were heated. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control.

The 2022 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment display, solving previous ergonomic issues. The system included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The IS 500 Premium added a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The dynamic voice command system was outstanding, handling queries accurately. The controls were logical and intuitive, enhancing the driving experience. The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback had a new infotainment system. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs addressed previous criticisms. The voice recognition system worked well, and the digital instrumentation was comprehensive, with a 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring trim.

The 2022 Lexus IS came with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, a comprehensive package of safety features. It included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and lane-centering assistance. The system worked well, though the Curve Speed Reduction function could be overly aggressive. The low-speed automatic braking was aggravating in heavy traffic. The IS earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, though it received a four-star frontal-impact rating. The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured Honda Sensing, an improved safety system with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims added blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems. All Civics had a rear-seat reminder, rear seatbelt reminder, and automatic high-beam headlights. The Civic earned a “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS. The driver aids worked well, though the lane-keeping technologies could be intrusive.