2022 Honda Civic 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 essence 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 of $13,450 over the IS 350 F Sport. The test car, priced at $62,575, featured Premium trim with triple-beam headlights, a navigation system, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, and more. The IS 500’s subtle styling tweaks and raised hood for the V8 engine maintained a stealthy look, while the interior offered quality materials and a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan was available in LX, Sport, EX, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $21,700 to $28,300, excluding a $995 destination charge. A new five-door hatchback was also introduced, but the two-door coupe was discontinued. The Civic Touring, priced at $29,690 with extra-cost Morning Mist Blue paint, was our primary evaluation vehicle. We also briefly tested a Civic Sport with Platinum White Pearl paint and the Honda Performance Development (HPD) appearance package, estimated at $25,880.

The redesigned 2022 Civic resembled the larger Accord sedan and featured a more conservative appearance. The interior adopted a minimalistic approach with improved materials, especially in the Touring trim. The dashboard’s metal honeycomb mesh elegantly concealed the air vents, reflecting a maturity absent in the previous Civic. The Civic’s new design aimed to appeal to those who found the previous model’s styling too bold.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was powered by a 5.0-liter V8 engine, producing 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This engine, shared with the RC F and LC 500, was paired with an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. The IS 500 weighed 143 pounds more than the IS 350 F Sport, with a weight distribution of 56% front and 44% rear. It featured adaptive variable suspension and a Yamaha rear performance damper for improved ride comfort and stability. Lexus claimed a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds.

The IS 500’s driving modes included Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The car’s brakes were upgraded for better cooling and performance. During our test drive in Arizona, the IS 500 impressed with its comfortable ride, throaty engine note, and capable handling. However, it fell short in fuel efficiency, averaging 17.7 mpg compared to the EPA’s 20 mpg combined rating.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque for LX and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque for EX and Touring trims. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) with Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode for enhanced responsiveness.

The Civic’s improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel made it enjoyable to drive. The Touring trim, with its turbocharged engine, offered quicker acceleration. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg on a 95-mile loop, falling short of the EPA’s 34 mpg estimate.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 excelled in comfort, with effective air conditioning and seat ventilation systems. The front seats were snug yet comfortable, with excellent thigh support and a driver-focused position. Rear seats were adequate for average-height adults, but lacked smartphone charging. Storage was limited due to the touchpad controller, and the trunk offered just 10.8 cubic feet of space. The control layout was user-friendly, with buttons and knobs clearly labeled.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering better support. The Touring trim featured a power driver’s seat with excellent thigh support, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic’s low stance made entry and exit challenging, but the rear seat provided ample legroom. Rear passengers had USB ports but no air conditioning vents. The new center console offered less storage but more accessible cupholders. The trunk provided 14.8 cubic feet of space, or 14.4 cubes with Touring trim, and included a split-folding backseat for added utility.

The 2022 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment display, solving previous ergonomic issues. The IS 500 Premium included a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation system, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The dynamic voice command system was outstanding, handling queries accurately. Standard features included an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM satellite radio, along with connected services and a WiFi hotspot.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted digital instrumentation, with a 10-inch display in Touring trim offering greater customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display showed headlight and taillight status, enhancing safety. The standard infotainment system had a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition technology was significantly improved, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2022 Lexus IS came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, a comprehensive suite of safety features. The lane-departure warning system, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering assistance worked well, though the Curve Speed Reduction function could be overly aggressive. The low-speed automatic braking system was sometimes intrusive in city 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 for the driver and front passenger.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite with Traffic Jam Assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors improved performance. The Civic replaced the LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert in EX and Touring trims. The Civic’s architecture was stronger, with new front airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags. A rear-seat reminder system was standard.