2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla, having been around since its 2019 hatchback debut, aimed to shake off Toyota's "boring" reputation with bold exterior styling. It featured scowling LED headlights and a wide grille, though it couldn't quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesive design of the Honda Civic. The Corolla offered different styling elements across its trim levels, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia, while the Nightshade Editions added blacked-out trim. The Apex Editions included a subtle body kit with bronze accents and model-specific 18-inch wheels, which reduced weight and offered optional summer tires. Despite its attempts at a sporty appearance, the Corolla's interior was less imaginative, maintaining a simple look with standard cloth upholstery and optional SofTex leatherette on higher trims. The SE Apex Edition, in particular, retained the standard SE interior, which was prone to showing stains.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback, redesigned and produced in Indiana, sought to capture the remaining hatchback market share as other automakers phased out this body style. It shared its front design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear. The Civic hatchback offered a more modern interior with sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, especially in the Sport Touring trim. This trim included a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Civic's design addressed previous criticisms by including physical knobs for sound system controls and a small shelf for steadying the hand while using the touchscreen. Despite some minor drawbacks, such as the slightly janky CVT shifter, the Civic hatchback was more appealing than many of its rivals.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models featured a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models, including the Apex Edition, were equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The Apex Edition also included a sport exhaust system and a manual transmission option, enhancing its sporty appeal. The Apex Edition's suspension modifications, such as unique coil springs and solid stabilizer bars, improved handling but compromised ride quality. Despite these enhancements, the Apex Edition wasn't a full-performance model, lacking tire, brake, or engine upgrades, and the standard Corolla remained a comfortable but unexciting commuter car.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a CVT or six-speed manual transmission option. The Sport Touring trim, with its manual transmission, was particularly appealing to driving enthusiasts. The Civic's suspension provided a firm yet comfortable ride, and the steering and brakes offered a satisfying driving experience. However, the Civic hatchback was not designed for aggressive driving, as the all-season tires and brakes were not suited for repeated hard use. Despite this, the Civic hatchback was enjoyable to drive and offered good fuel economy, nearly matching EPA estimates in real-world testing.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's interior felt decently roomy, though Toyota did not release specific headroom and legroom measurements. The low beltline improved outward visibility, but the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard hindered forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but long-legged drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla offered 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Honda Civic. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin center console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, with sufficient legroom, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and both front seats were heated. The Civic's interior featured black fabric seats in lower trims and black leather upholstery in higher trims. Automatic climate control was standard, with a dual-zone system in the EX-L and Sport Touring trims.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system was starting to show its age. The base model featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims had an 8-inch display. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, WiFi connectivity, Amazon Alexa integration, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A nine-speaker JBL audio system was available on select trims. The interface was user-friendly, but some tasks were less intuitive compared to competitors. The graphics appeared dated, and wireless versions of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not offered.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system. The LX, Sport, and EX-L trims had a 7-inch touchscreen with physical knobs and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sport Touring trim offered a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless connectivity, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs addressed previous criticisms, and a small shelf provided stability for touchscreen use. The voice recognition system worked well, and digital instrumentation was standard across all trims, with a more comprehensive display in the Sport Touring trim.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award, with top "Good" scores in all crash tests, though its headlights received lower ratings. The NHTSA awarded the Corolla a five-star overall safety rating. The Corolla came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included 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. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS. The driver aids worked well, though some functions were not entirely seamless.