2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Subaru WRX

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 sizable cabin and short tail featuring distinctive wraparound LED lights. The Civic Touring model boasted chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals. The introduction of the Honda Civic Sport trim added a centre-mounted exhaust and exterior flair similar to the Si trim, but at a lower cost. The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, offered unique paint options that stood out in traffic. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme, with a central LCD screen and minimal buttons, providing a high-quality fit and finish despite some hard plastic surfaces in the rear.

The 2020 Subaru WRX, with its aggressive styling, was easily identifiable as a Subaru. It featured a wider stance, lower front splitter, rear deck spoiler, and a large functional air intake. The STI version took it further with a large rear wing and additional aerodynamic components. Despite its racy touches, the non-STI version could be a sleeper, surprising those unfamiliar with its performance capabilities. The cabin styling was straightforward, with a simple dash layout and plenty of storage compartments. The WRX offered excellent visibility, thanks to its large windshield, slanted hood, and quarter windows in the front doors. The interior provided ample first-row seating space and adequate rear-seat space for adults, although the cargo space was limited compared to other compact sedans.

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. The Touring models featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre inline-four engine with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft. The hatchback exclusively used the turbocharged engine, making 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport. 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 producing 306 hp and 295 lb-ft from a re-engineered 2.0-litre engine. All models featured front-wheel drive, with manual and CVT transmission options. The Civic was praised for its smoothness, refinement, and impressive handling, offering a sporty driving experience without sacrificing comfort.

The 2020 Subaru WRX was equipped with a turbocharged and intercooled 2.0-litre boxer-four engine, delivering 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It featured symmetrical all-wheel drive and a standard six-speed manual transmission, with an optional CVT. The CVT included Subaru’s SI-DRIVE with multiple drive modes and paddle shifters with simulated gears. The AWD system varied based on transmission choice, with the manual offering a 50:50 front:rear torque distribution and the CVT providing a 45:55 ratio. The WRX was known for its precise steering and minimal turbo lag, offering an exhilarating driving experience. The WRX STI version featured a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 310 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque, along with Brembo brakes and a stiffer suspension for enhanced cornering capabilities. However, the taut handling resulted in a rough ride, especially on imperfect roads.

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 quick access to various functions. The rear seat offered surprising roominess, with optional heated seats and adequate head- and legroom for long trips. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 428 litres, the coupe 343 litres, and the hatchback up to 1,308 litres with the rear seats folded. The centre console provided ample storage, and visibility was excellent in all directions, particularly in the sedan.

The 2020 Subaru WRX offered excellent visibility, thanks to its simple sedan layout and large windows. The cabin featured a straightforward dash layout with easy-to-use controls and plenty of storage compartments. The first-row seating provided ample space, while the rear seat was adequate for adults on shorter trips. The WRX's cargo space was limited to 340 litres, which was low compared to other compact sedans but comparable to sports cars with similar performance.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while dated compared to newer Honda models, included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth technology. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout feature, offering quick and accurate voice-based input. The Touring model featured a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo, and certain trims included Honda's LaneWatch, providing a live feed of the blind spot on the touchscreen.

The 2020 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch infotainment touchscreen, with an optional 7-inch screen. The Starlink infotainment system was user-friendly and included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The WRX also featured a digital display in the instrument panel and a digital information screen atop the dash, providing key driver information in multiple locations.

The 2019 Honda Civic included the Honda Sensing suite of safety features as standard on all trims except the Si and Type R. This suite included forward-collision alert, emergency braking, lane-keep assist, lane departure warning, 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 2020 Subaru WRX came standard with front- and side-impact airbags, traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The EyeSight suite of driver-assistance features was available, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The WRX earned top safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, and was a 2020 IIHS Top Safety Pick.