2021 Honda Civic vs 2020 Hyundai Elantra

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra retained its bold geometric styling from the previous year, which was a departure from its earlier Genesis Jr. design cues. This design was a precursor to the more angular 2021 model. Available in five trims—Essential, Preferred, Luxury, Ultimate, and Sport—the Elantra's price ranged from $17,099 to $27,549, excluding a $1,825 destination charge. The Elantra Ultimate test vehicle, priced at the higher end, featured a striking black paint job that highlighted its angular design elements, contrasting with chrome detailing. Inside, the Elantra's interior was updated with silver trim accents, giving it a more upscale appearance, though it still contained some hard plastics typical of a compact car.

The 2021 Honda Civic, known for its segment-defining models every decade, continued to impress with its 10th-generation design. Available in sedan, hatchback, and Type R formats, the Civic sedan came in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $23,400 and reaching $29,200, excluding a $1,700 destination charge. The Touring trim, tested in Cosmic Blue Metallic, added a touch of elegance with its 18-inch wheels. The Civic's design, once polarizing, had become familiar on the roads. Inside, the Civic's cabin featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, though the infotainment screen size was modest at 7 inches, reflecting its age.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered a base 147-horsepower, 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a new continuously variable transmission (CVT), replacing the previous six-speed automatic. The CVT, known as the "Intelligent Variable Transmission," provided smooth simulated gear shifts and improved fuel efficiency, though real-world tests showed an average of 8.0 L/100 km, falling short of expectations. The Elantra Sport trim featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering a more engaging driving experience with an independent rear suspension. However, the standard Elantra's torsion beam axle rear suspension detracted from ride quality, making it less enjoyable to drive.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque in the LX, EX, and Sport trims, paired with a CVT. The turbocharged 1.5-litre engine in the Touring trim delivered 174 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power. The Civic's sophisticated four-wheel independent suspension and precise steering made it a delight to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch wheels. However, the CVT was a drawback, with a sloppy gear lever and droning noise. Despite this, the Civic achieved impressive fuel economy, averaging 6.8 L/100 km on a 225-kilometre loop.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra offered spacious accommodations for four adults, with a fifth person 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, though rear passengers lacked air conditioning vents. The trunk provided 407 litres of space, nearly matching some midsize sedans, and included a convenient interior grab handle.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan sat low to the ground, making entry and exit a bit of a workout. Once inside, the driver's seat offered eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic's interior was roomy, comparable to a decade-old midsize car, with excellent rear seat support. The centre console offered remarkable storage space, and the trunk measured 428 litres, though the Touring trim's premium sound system reduced it to 416 litres.

The 2020 Hyundai Elantra came with a standard 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 featured an 8-inch touchscreen, wireless charging, and a premium Infinity sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and volume knobs, and the sound system impressed for a compact car.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age, with a standard 5-inch LCD screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink services. The Touring trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, and navigation. The voice recognition system required specific prompts, and the premium sound system was nice but not essential. Most drivers preferred using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for their familiar interface and navigation capabilities.

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

The 2021 Honda Civic came standard with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. LaneWatch, available on the EX trim, used a camera to monitor the right lane but had limitations. The Civic lacked a traditional blind-spot warning system but had a 180-degree reversing camera view. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, making it a safe choice for families.