2019 Honda Civic vs 2019 Hyundai Elantra

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still offered an upscale appearance with its gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and available 18-inch alloy wheels. Its silhouette was graceful, reminiscent of an Audi A7, with a long hood balancing a spacious cabin and short tail. The wraparound LED lights were distinctive, and the Touring model featured chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals. The Civic Sport trim introduced a centre-mounted exhaust and exterior elements from the Si trim at a lower cost. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen, minimal buttons, and high-quality fit and finish, despite some hard plastic surfaces in the rear.

In contrast, the 2019 Hyundai Elantra underwent a redesign, featuring new styling forward of the windshield and front doors, redesigned wheels, and a new trunk lid, taillights, and rear bumper. The design was described as kaleidoscopic, with a focus on geometry. Inside, subtle changes improved the interior, with new air vents, carbon-texture finishes, and revised controls. The interior was high-quality, with a robust shifter and tightly assembled parts, though some materials felt inexpensive. The Elantra was available in sedan and hatchback models, with the sedan offered in various trims, starting at a low price point. The Ultimate trim included advanced features like adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and a larger touchscreen display.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, available in the DX, LX, EX, and Sport sedans, as well as the LX and Sport coupes. In Canada, these models came standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The Touring models featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The hatchback models exclusively used the turbocharged engine, with the Hatchback Sport producing 180 hp. The Si and Type R models offered more power, with the Si boosting the 1.5-litre engine to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R delivering 306 hp and 295 lb-ft from a re-engineered 2.0-litre engine. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and refinement, with the turbo engine offering better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were noted for their excellent clutch and shifter engagement, while the CVT impressed with its performance. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension were commended for providing a sporty yet comfortable driving experience.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra, on the other hand, was equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission powering front-wheel drive. The Elantra offered Normal, Sport, and Smart driving modes, though Smart mode was not particularly perceptive. Sport mode added weight to the steering, leading to a preference for Normal mode. The Elantra's fuel efficiency was rated at 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a real-world rating of 7.3 L/100 km after a week of testing. The Elantra's handling was decent, with unremarkable steering and brakes, and a busy ride quality due to its torsion-beam rear-axle suspension. Overall, the Elantra was not particularly rewarding to drive but was reliable and unaggravating.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability compared to previous models. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, providing access to various functions. The rear seat offered ample space, with optional heated seats and passable head- and legroom. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 428 litres in the trunk, the coupe 343 litres, and the hatchback up to 1,308 litres with the rear seats folded. The centre console provided storage trays and a deep storage bin. Visibility was good, especially in the sedan, though the best LED headlights were reserved for Touring trims.

In comparison, the 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered good front-seat comfort, with height-adjustable seats and heated front seats standard in Canada. The Luxury and Ultimate trims included dual-zone automatic climate control and leather seats. The rear seat provided a proper seating position but lacked air conditioning vents and USB ports. Interior storage was decent, with a centre-console storage bin, a sizable glove box, and a tray for smartphones. The Ultimate trim featured a wireless charging pad. The Elantra's trunk offered 408 litres of cargo space, with a hands-free Smart Trunk feature on most trims.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while good in 2016, was outclassed by newer Honda models. The system was slower and less organized, though the Garmin-based navigation system was a standout. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Touring trim featured a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo and Honda's LaneWatch system, which provided a live feed of the blind spot.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra came standard with a rear-view camera and Bluetooth connectivity. Most trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the Luxury trim added satellite radio. The Ultimate trim offered an Infinity premium sound system, an 8-inch display, and navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with quality switchgear and impressive sound quality from the Infinity audio system. The Elantra also offered a five-year trial of Hyundai Bluelink services, providing safety and convenience functions.

The 2019 Honda Civic included the Honda Sensing suite of safety features on all trims except the Si and Type R. This suite included forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic received top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, with the exception of a four-star rating for the coupe's passenger-side frontal crash.

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra offered driver-assistance features starting with the Preferred trim, including forward-collision warning and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control and a Safe Exit system. The Elantra received top safety ratings from the IIHS, except for an Acceptable rating for LATCH anchor accessibility. The NHTSA awarded the Elantra a four-star overall rating.