2020 Honda Civic vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Honda Civic was a standout in Honda's lineup, offering a blend of affordability and engineering excellence that was often compared to BMW. Despite its compact size and $20,000 price tag, the Civic was available in three body styles—sedan, coupe, and hatchback—each showcasing a sharp design. The sedan featured an elongated, elegant body with a svelte roofline, while the hatchback had a quirky tall rump. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with body panel creases, wide headlights, and sweeping LED taillights accentuating its low and wide stance. The interior was simple yet high-quality, with soft-touch materials and a narrow centre stack. The 2020 model introduced new styling elements, including matte-black wheels and updated bumpers, enhancing its already appealing look.

In contrast, the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class embraced a theme of "sensual purity," with a design that was both smooth and elegant. The E-Class featured new bumpers, squinted headlights, and a trapezoid grille, giving it a slightly edgier appearance. The standing hood ornament was removed, aligning with the popular Sport style. The E-Class was available in sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible forms, each maintaining a reserved and conservative exterior. Inside, the cabin was a luxurious space filled with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, with features like metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and ambient lighting. The E-Class's interior was unmatched in its class, offering a lavish and inviting environment.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all front-wheel drive. The base engine was a 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT. The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, available on higher trims, delivered 174 to 180 horsepower, providing better mid-range acceleration. The Civic Si and Type R models offered more power, with the Si boasting 205 horsepower and the Type R an impressive 306 horsepower. The Civic's powertrains were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the Si and Type R offering thrilling driving experiences. The Si featured adaptive dampers and a stiffer ride, while the Type R was known for its composed handling despite its power. Fuel efficiency varied, with the Si rated at 8.9 L/100 km city and 6.4 highway.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, with the E450 becoming a hybrid. The E450's 3.0-litre I6 engine produced 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with additional power from a 48-volt system. The AMG E53 added a second turbo, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. The E-Class's engines were designed to comply with emissions laws while maintaining performance. The AMG E63 S, with a 4.0-litre V8, offered 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, making it a high-performance option. The E-Class's driving experience was characterized by poise and stability, with the AMG models offering brisk acceleration and a sporty feel. Fuel efficiency varied, with the E53 rated at 9.5 L/100 km combined.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a practical and spacious interior, with improvements like a volume knob and better cupholders. The hatchback featured more sound insulation, and the EX hatchback had an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The Civic's interior was user-friendly, with a three-spoke steering wheel and a conventional PRNDL shifter. The centre console provided configurable storage options. Rear passenger space was generous, though rear air vents were absent. The sedan's trunk offered 416 litres of cargo space, while the hatchback provided 728 litres behind the rear seats and 1,302 litres with them folded.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably. The E-Class offered ample headroom and legroom, with supportive cushions and knee cutouts. The E-Class Coupe's rear seats were usable, while the convertible's were less so due to the soft top. The wagon provided significant cargo space, with 640 litres or 1,820 litres with seats folded. The E-Class sedan offered 540 litres of trunk space, and the two-door models had 405 litres. The E450 All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and body cladding for a rugged look.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a slower interface compared to newer Honda models. Bluetooth connectivity was standard, and a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was available on most trims. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, push-button start, keyless entry, and a power moonroof. LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, was a standout feature. Automatic climate control and Honda Sensing, with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, were standard on all models.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced MBUX, a touch-responsive infotainment system with improved organization and functionality. The system featured natural voice processing, gesture controls, and a live feed with overlay arrows for navigation. Optional features included massaging seats, seat kinetics, and a wireless phone charger. The E-Class offered a range of driving assists, with the potential for limited autonomous driving. The instrument cluster was highly customizable, allowing for various display styles. The E-Class's technology was advanced and user-friendly, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2020 Honda Civic was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with top ratings in all crash tests except for the Type R. The NHTSA awarded the Civic five stars in all categories, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test on the coupe.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was highly rated for safety, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The E-Class sedan received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests and collision-avoidance systems. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested, but Mercedes' history of safety innovations suggested similar performance. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.