2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Toyota Camry

The 2022 Toyota Camry's look was unlike previous models. It drew the attention of younger onlookers, which was surprising given the model's historically conservative design. The eye-catching Cavalry Blue paint exclusive to the performance-tuned Camry TRD model was a standout feature for the year, contributing to its fresh appeal. Besides the stunning paint job, the 2022 Camry included new standard features like heated side mirrors and dual-zone automatic climate control for all trims except the TRD. Another appealing update was the Nightshade Edition package for the SE Hybrid trim, which offered a blacked-out exterior.

Despite numerous versions—13 in total—the Camry's design maintained distinct identities across its range. The pricing spanned from just over $26,000 for the base Camry LE to nearly $37,000 for the upscale Camry XSE. Buyers could choose a four-cylinder engine, a V6, or a hybrid powertrain.

Our test vehicle was a Camry TRD, notable for its aggressive aesthetics. This model featured a front splitter, side skirts, a rear spoiler, matte-black 19-inch wheels, red accent stripes, and a sporty rear diffuser. The interior continued the bold theme with vivid red accents, although the red illumination clashed with the rest of the cabin's themes and felt somewhat outdated.

On the flip side, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capitalize on the dwindling popularity of the hatchback in the U.S. market with a fresh redesign. Offering trims from the affordable LX to the top-tier Sport Touring, the new Civic hatchback had distinctive visual elements separating it from its sedan sibling. Although the rear had a "stubby butt" aesthetic that didn't universally appeal, Honda appeared to balance the car's overall look from various angles.

Inside, the Civic hatch mirrored the sedan's dashboard with elevated digital instrumentation in the Sport Touring trims, creating a sleek, modern feel. The metal honeycomb dashboard detailing, superb control layout, and fabric or leather seating options, depending on the trim, added to its appeal. However, the front passenger's power seat lacked height adjustment, and there were no rear air vents, issues that could affect long-term comfort.

The 2022 Toyota Camry TRD offered a robust 3.5-liter V6 engine churning out 301 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. Although the EPA estimated a fuel efficiency of 25 mpg combined, we achieved a commendable 24.8 mpg even during spirited driving.

Toyota emphasized the track-tuned dynamics with enhancements like thicker underbody braces, stiffer sway bars, TRD shocks, and a sport dual exhaust system. The Camry TRD's low center of gravity and TRD-specific suspension made for a thrilling yet comfortable ride. The performance was notable, with quick acceleration and precise handling, although an all-wheel-drive option would have improved traction, especially during aggressive starts.

Conversely, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback provided different powertrains depending on the trim. The LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT or a manual transmission in the Sport trim. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims boasted a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine delivering 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy was commendable, with the turbocharged engine achieving 33 mpg combined in real-world tests with the CVT.

The Civic's sporty handling was enhanced by a well-tuned suspension and precise steering. The Sport Touring's manual transmission was particularly engaging, with short throws and smooth gear transitions. However, the all-season tires and brake performance on winding roads showed that while the Civic was sporty, it wasn’t a high-performance model like its Si and Type R siblings.

Inside, the 2022 Toyota Camry TRD had seats adorned with red accents and embroidered logos, but they lacked additional bolstering. Still, the driving position was comfortable, and power height adjustments added to the overall comfort. The back seat offered decent space for two adults, but the lack of rear air vents and folding seats were significant drawbacks. Moreover, the Camry's trunk measured a mere 15.1 cubic feet, limiting its cargo capacity.

In stark contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in cargo space with a generous 24.5 cubic feet trunk. Its innovative two-piece cargo shade simplified loading, and the 60/40 split-folding rear seats added to the storage flexibility. The seats were generally comfortable, but complaints were raised about the front passenger seat's lack of height adjustment and the absence of rear air vents. However, the Civic provided ample legroom and included thoughtful touches like rear smartphone charging ports.

Toyota equipped the 2022 Camry TRD with a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which felt somewhat small by modern standards. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and SiriusXM. An upgrade to a 9-inch display was available, adding a JBL premium audio system, but the lack of dynamic connected navigation and voice recognition limited advanced functionality.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback, on the other hand, offered a superior infotainment system across its trims. The Sport Touring trim featured a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless charging, and an excellent 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for volume and tuning was a thoughtful touch that enhanced usability. Moreover, the Civic's infotainment system had a shelf to stabilize your hand during operation, addressing a common user complaint.

Every 2022 Toyota Camry came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking, and more. However, the system's lane-keeping functionality sometimes acted too aggressively, and the adaptive cruise control could slow down unnecessarily in curves. The Camry TRD also featured a blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. Rated a "Top Safety Pick+" by the IIHS and earning high marks from the NHTSA, the Camry assured top-tier safety performance.

Similarly, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping technologies. New features like Traffic Jam Assist were exclusive to CVT models. Some safety features, like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, were only available on higher trims. The Civic Hatchback also earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, highlighting its excellent safety credentials.