2020 Honda Civic vs 2020 Toyota Corolla

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, despite its redesign, retained a somewhat controversial exterior that some likened to "malevolent aliens." However, when equipped with the SE or XSE trim and the Celestite paint colour, the Corolla presented a more appealing aesthetic. The interior saw significant improvements, with the introduction of soft-touch surfaces replacing the previously cheap plastics. Yet, 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 pricing started at $18,990, with various trims offering different features and power levels, including a hybrid option for those prioritizing fuel efficiency.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic was celebrated as the crown jewel of Honda's lineup, offering a sharp design across its sedan, coupe, and hatchback body styles. The Civic's exterior was visually stimulating, with wide, arcing headlights and sweeping LED taillights enhancing its low and wide stance. The interior was simple yet high-quality, featuring soft-touch materials and a well-designed centre console. The Civic's various trims offered a range of features, including new wheels and updated bumpers for 2020. The Civic's pricing was competitive, with a base model starting around $20,000, offering a balance of style and functionality.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla offered a range of engine options, starting with a 1.8-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower for the L, LE, and XLE trims. The SE and XSE trims featured a more powerful 169-horsepower, 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine, paired with a sophisticated CVT and paddle shifters. The Corolla's ride was smooth, thanks to its independent rear suspension, but it lacked the power needed for more dynamic driving experiences. Fuel efficiency was a strong point, with the XSE rated at 7.7 L/100 km in the city and 6.1 on the highway.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a more diverse range of powertrains, with a base 2.0-litre engine producing 158 horsepower and a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine available on higher trims, delivering up to 180 horsepower. The Civic Si and Type R models offered even more power, with 205 and 306 horsepower, respectively. The Civic's engines were praised for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the manual transmission providing a tight and enjoyable shifting experience. Fuel efficiency varied across models, with the Si rated at 8.9 L/100 km in the city and 6.4 on the highway.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla, while smaller than a Camry, offered adequate space for a family of four, though rear passengers might find the lack of air-conditioning vents and USB ports inconvenient. The interior featured comfortable seating, but taller passengers might struggle with headroom in the back. Storage was limited, with small cupholders and a trunk space of 371 litres, which was sufficient for a few suitcases and bags.

The 2020 Honda Civic provided a more spacious interior, especially in the hatchback model, which offered 728 litres of cargo space with the rear seats up. The sedan's trunk space was also generous at 416 litres. The Civic's interior was well-designed, with a configurable centre console and comfortable seating for rear passengers. However, the lack of rear air vents was a notable oversight.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla featured the Entune 3.0 infotainment system, which included Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with a high-mounted touchscreen and familiar controls. Higher trims offered additional features like advanced voice recognition and satellite radio trials.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system was considered outdated, with a slower interface and complex controls. However, it included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing users to bypass the factory interface. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control and a high-quality stereo system, while all models included Honda Sensing safety features.

The 2020 Toyota Corolla came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including lane departure alert and adaptive cruise control. The Corolla received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The 2020 Honda Civic included Honda Sensing, with features like forward collision warning and lane-keeping assist. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA, with the exception of a 4-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test for the coupe.