2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

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 graceful silhouette was often compared to 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 reminiscent of the performance-oriented Si trim, but at a lower cost. The Civic Hatchback, with its aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, offered unique paint options that stood out in traffic.

Inside, the Civic maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme with a central LCD screen for the tachometer and speedometer, a thin centre stack, and clean lines. The fit and finish felt high quality, with tight panel gaps and durable switchgear, buttons, and fabrics. Despite its starting price under $20,000, the Civic's interior was built to last, although the rear doors featured hard plastic surfaces compared to the padded ones up front.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, though not initially praised for its looks, improved significantly with the SE or XSE trim and the attractive Celestite paint colour. The Corolla's design, especially its face, was more palatable than other Toyota sedans, and over time, it was expected to grow on people. The interior of the XSE version showed a marked improvement in quality, with soft-touch surfaces replacing the cheap plastics of previous models. However, the transmission shifter reminded drivers of the Corolla's economy car status, lacking the solid feel found in competitors like Hyundai or Kia.

The Corolla's interior was comfortable, with the XSE's 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat and effective climate control system. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and a front seat height adjuster were notable drawbacks. The back seat offered decent legroom and a tall bottom cushion, but taller passengers might find headroom lacking. Storage space was limited, with small cupholders and a trunk capacity of 371 litres, which was adequate for most needs.

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 for the DX, LX, EX, and Sport sedans, as well as the LX and Sport coupes. 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, delivering 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport. The Si and Type R models offered even more power, with the Si's 1.5-litre engine producing 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, and the Type R's 2.0-litre engine delivering a staggering 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 transmissions were highly regarded, and the CVT impressed with its ability to simulate gear ratios without straining the engine. The Civic's handling, steering feel, and suspension were all commendable, providing a sporty yet comfortable driving experience.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, on the other hand, equipped its L, LE, and XLE trims with a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower, paired with a CVT. The SE and XSE trims offered a more powerful 169-horsepower, 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine, along with a more sophisticated CVT and optional six-speed manual gearbox. The Corolla XSE's sporty driving experience was well-tuned, with a smooth and stable ride thanks to the independent rear suspension. However, the lack of a turbocharger limited its acceleration capabilities, making it struggle in certain driving situations. The brakes were excellent, and the CVT performed unobtrusively, but the powertrain's limitations detracted from the overall driving experience. The Corolla XSE was rated for fuel efficiency at 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, 6.1 on the highway, and 7.0 combined, with real-world testing averaging 7.9 L/100 km.

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 passable head- and legroom for long trips. 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 ample storage, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, while smaller than a Camry, accommodated a family of four for various trips. However, the lack of rear air-conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and privacy-tinted rear glass were drawbacks. The front seat lacked a height adjuster, making it uncomfortable for some passengers. The back seat offered decent legroom but limited headroom for taller passengers. Storage space was limited, with small cupholders and a trunk capacity of 371 litres. The centre armrest could be slid forward for added comfort, but this eliminated one of the cupholders.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while good in 2016, was outclassed by newer Honda models. The system looked dated and was slower, but the Garmin-based navigation system was a standout feature. Standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Bluetooth technology, were redeeming features. The 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo on the Touring model was improved, and Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the next-generation Entune 3.0 infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay finally available. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen, stereo volume and tuning knobs, and main menu access buttons. The voice-recognition system worked well with Apple CarPlay, and the USB port was conveniently located. Higher trims offered an 8-inch display and additional features like HD Radio and SiriusXM satellite radio. However, Android Auto was not available, and the standard setup was sufficient for iPhone users.