2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Hyundai Sonata

The 2021 Honda Civic continued the tradition of its predecessors by offering a design that was both familiar and polarizing. Over the years, Honda had introduced segment-defining models, and the 10th-generation Civic was no exception. It was available in various formats, including the sedan, hatchback, and the performance-oriented Type R. The 2021 model year saw the discontinuation of the two-door coupe and the temporary hiatus of the Civic Si. The Civic sedan, available in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, offered a spacious interior reminiscent of a midsize car from a decade ago. The Touring trim, with its Cosmic Blue Metallic paint and 18-inch wheels, presented a striking appearance, though opinions on its styling varied depending on the angle and lighting. Inside, the Civic's cabin featured quality materials and thoughtful detailing, though the infotainment system's 7-inch screen showed its age.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved from its early days of mimicking the Honda Accord to establishing its own identity. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for 2020, featured a distinctive wide grille, rounded front fascia, and sloped rear roofline. While its design was subjective, it was undeniably unique. Inside, the Sonata offered a spacious cabin with comfortable seating for five passengers. The Limited trim boasted leather seats, though the tan upholstery colour was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line, with its sporty touches and aggressive styling, transformed the car's appearance from mild to wild. The N Line's cabin featured dark chrome trim and red stitching, adding personality to the interior. Overall, the Sonata's design and interior space made it a strong contender in the midsize sedan segment.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice between two engines. The base engine, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder, produced 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. While adequate, the turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, standard on the Touring trim, was the preferred choice. It delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, providing a spirited driving experience. The Civic's sophisticated suspension and steering made it a joy to drive, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch alloy wheels. However, the CVT was a drawback, with its droning nature and ineffective paddle shifters. Despite this, the Civic's fuel economy was impressive, averaging 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres on a 225-kilometre loop, surpassing the estimated 7.1 L/100 km in combined driving.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of engine options, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, available on the Sport and Luxury trims, delivered 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Sonata N Line, with its 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-litre engine, eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, and sport suspension, provided a thrilling driving experience. All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and while an all-wheel-drive option would have been desirable, the Sonata's ride, handling, and noise abatement were commendable. The cabin offered a serene environment, making it a comfortable choice for both city and highway driving.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, despite its low seating position, offered a comfortable interior with ample space for passengers. The driver's seat featured eight-way power adjustment, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. Leather upholstery was standard on the Touring trim. The rear seats provided excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, though the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The centre console offered remarkable storage space, with trays, cupholders, and a deep centre bin. The Civic's trunk was spacious, measuring 428 litres, though the Touring trim's premium sound system reduced it to 416 litres.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata boasted a spacious cabin with 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were among the best in the segment, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The Sonata's 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a three-piece set of rolling luggage with ease. The Remote Smart Parking Assist, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward, making tight parking spots more manageable. This feature, though not frequently used, was a crowd-pleaser during demonstrations.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was beginning to show its age. Standard equipment included a 5-inch LCD screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, and HondaLink connected services. The Touring trim upgraded to a 7-inch high-definition touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and an on-board navigation system. While the premium sound system was appreciated, the voice recognition system was unsophisticated, requiring specific prompts for successful operation.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a range of infotainment options, with the base SE trim featuring an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Sport grade added SiriusXM satellite radio and BlueLink connected services. The N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, and wireless charging. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was seamless, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality, offering great value for the price.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assistance. The Civic also featured LaneWatch, a camera-based blind-spot monitoring system, though it was limited to the right side of the car. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in all assessments.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a comprehensive package of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. The Sonata also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system and Safe Exit Warning. The N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims included Highway Driving Assist and a blind-spot view monitor. The Sonata received five-star ratings from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS in all crash tests. The Sonata's child-seat anchors received an "Acceptable" rating.