2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Lexus IS

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a compact car experience with a touch of luxury typically associated with higher-end brands like BMW. Despite its affordable price point, the Civic was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design that belied its compact size. The sedan featured an elongated, elegant body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback's design was slightly quirky yet visually appealing. The Civic's exterior was accentuated by body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights, creating a low and wide stance. The 2020 model carried over the grille, bumper, and wheel upgrades from the previous year, with additional enhancements like matte-black 18-inch wheels and LED lighting options on the Si models. Inside, the Civic boasted a simple yet high-quality interior with soft-touch materials, gloss-black trim, and pleasing design elements like a metal shift knob and symmetrical air vents. The 2020 updates included new dash accents and sport seats with red fabric bands for the Si trim.

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement with its athletic proportions and elegant design, capturing a sense of motion even when stationary. The sedan's fast roofline and compact cabin gave it a sporty appearance, while the signature spindle grille and narrow headlights added an assertive touch. The IS's exterior was marked by flawless paint, chrome, and panel gaps, reflecting Lexus's commitment to quality. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel to the centre stack. The interior design matched the exterior's boldness, featuring authentic lines and modern aesthetics. However, the analog clock felt outdated in the context of the IS's modern design. Overall, the IS combined elegance and sportiness, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a luxury sports sedan.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of powertrains, all front-wheel drive, with four engines and two transmissions available. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder, producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, standard on the hatchback and available on higher trims, delivered 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, with a sportier version producing 180 hp. The Civic Si featured a boosted 1.5-litre engine with 205 hp and 192 lb-ft, while the Type R boasted an impressive 306 hp and 295 lb-ft. The Si and Type R were exclusively manual, offering a thrilling driving experience. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the Si providing a balanced and direct ride. The 2020 model saw a reduction in the final-drive ratio, improving acceleration but slightly impacting fuel efficiency, with the Si rated at 8.9 L/100 km city and 6.4 highway.

The 2021 Lexus IS was designed to excel in the luxury sports sedan category, featuring the "Lexus Driving Signature" for a seamless driving experience. The IS 300 RWD was equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, delivering 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The AWD version had a 3.5-litre V6 engine, producing 260 hp and 236 lb-ft. The IS 350, available only with AWD in Canada, offered 311 hp and 280 lb-ft from the same V6. The RWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS's top speed was 230 km/h, with 0-60 mph acceleration ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. The IS's suspension and steering provided a crisp, precise, and balanced ride. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 11.0 L/100 km city and 7.6 highway, while the AWD version was slightly less efficient.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered practical interior features, including a volume knob and improved cupholders. The hatchback had enhanced sound insulation, and the EX hatchback featured an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The steering wheel housed controls for the central display and instrument panel, providing easy access to various functions. The Civic's interior was user-friendly, with a conventional shifter and configurable storage options in the centre console. Rear passengers enjoyed ample space, though the lack of rear air vents was a notable oversight. The sedan's trunk offered 416 litres of cargo space, while the coupe had 343 litres. The hatchback provided a generous 728 litres behind the rear seats, expanding to 1,302 litres with them folded down.

The 2021 Lexus IS prioritized driver comfort and functionality, featuring an easily adjustable driver position and supportive seats. The F Sport trim's bolstered seats, standard in IS 350 models, included heating and ventilation. The IS used NuLuxe synthetic upholstery, offering a leather-like feel without the cost and maintenance. Storage options were plentiful, with an open cubby, twin cupholders, large door pockets, and a decent glovebox. The rear seats were comfortable for two passengers, though legroom was limited. The trunk provided 305.8 litres of space, with a deep configuration and a temporary spare stored beneath the load floor.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a slower interface and complex operation compared to newer Honda models. Bluetooth connectivity was standard, and the 7-inch touchscreen, available on all but the base DX sedan, supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Top-end trims featured Garmin-based navigation with accurate voice recognition. The Civic Si introduced Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and came with a 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo. Standard features included push-button start, keyless entry, a power moonroof, and heated front seats. LaneWatch, a camera-based blind spot monitoring system, was highly effective. Automatic climate control and Honda Sensing safety features were standard across all models.

The 2021 Lexus IS introduced a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, alongside Bluetooth connectivity. The touchpad remained but was no longer the default option. Lexus Enform services offered various connected features, with free trial periods for owners. Lexus Enform Safety Connect included a three-year trial, while Service Connect offered an eight-year complimentary subscription. Remote services were free for three years, compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system, available in the Ultra Luxury package, provided an exceptional listening experience. However, navigation and other features were subscription-based, with limited free periods.

The 2020 Honda Civic was equipped with Honda Sensing, offering forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests except for the Type R, which wasn't tested. The NHTSA awarded the Civic five stars in all categories, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test for the coupe.

The 2021 Lexus IS received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with minor deductions for certain headlight grades. The NHTSA gave it a five-star safety rating, with a four-star rating for frontal impacts. The IS featured Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial.