2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still offered a unique upscale style 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 Civic Hatchback had a tall, aggressive rear end, while the Coupe provided a more balanced look. The interior maintained a high-tech theme with a central LCD screen, minimal buttons, and high-quality fit and finish, despite some hard plastic surfaces in the rear.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold geometric design from the previous year, setting the stage for the 2021 model's angular styling. Available in five trims—Essential, Preferred, Luxury, Ultimate, and Sport—the Elantra's price ranged from $17,099 to $27,549. The Ultimate trim featured a black paint job that highlighted its angular design elements, creating a stylish appearance. The interior received an upscale update with silver trim accents, though some hard plastic remained. The Elantra offered a comfortable ride for four adults, with a fifth fitting for short trips. The trunk provided 407 litres of space, and the interior storage was well-proportioned for a compact car.

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

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra's base engine was a 147-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder paired with a new CVT, replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The CVT, called the "Intelligent Variable Transmission," featured a chain belt and wide-ratio pulley system for improved efficiency and responsiveness. However, real-world testing showed an average fuel consumption of 8.0 L/100 km, falling short of the expected 6.8 L/100 km. The Elantra Sport trim offered a 1.6-litre turbo engine with 201 hp and 195 lb-ft, along with an independent rear suspension for better handling. The Sport model was more enjoyable to drive, while the standard Elantra was seen as a practical commuter car. The torsion beam axle rear suspension in the standard Elantra detracted from ride and handling, giving it an unsettled feel compared to the Sport's superior ride.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability over previous models. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, providing quick access to various functions. The rear seat offered ample head- and legroom, with optional heated seats. Cargo space was generous, with 428 litres in the sedan's trunk (416 litres in the Touring due to a subwoofer), 343 litres in the coupe, and up to 1,308 litres in the hatchback with seats folded. The centre console provided versatile storage options, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra provided roomy accommodations for four adults, with a fifth fitting for short trips. The test car featured power driver's seat adjustment, leather upholstery, and a sliding centre console armrest. Upper trims included dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats. Interior storage was well-proportioned, and the trunk offered 407 litres of space. The Elantra's interior was thoughtfully designed, with a grab handle inside the trunk lid for easy closure.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while once good, had become outdated compared to newer Honda models. It featured standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth connectivity. The Touring model's 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo was improved, and Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout, offering quick and accurate voice input.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came with a touchscreen infotainment system, Bluetooth, and a USB port. The base Essential trim had a 5-inch screen, while the Preferred trim offered a 7-inch display with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. The Ultimate trim included a wireless charging pad, premium Infinity sound system, and an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and volume/tuning knobs. The Infinity sound system impressed with its depth of sound.

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

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered advanced driving assistance systems on the Preferred trim, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Ultimate trim added full LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, and Safe Exit Assist. The Elantra earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS with full LED headlights and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with a noted concern about rear-door intrusion during side-impact tests.