2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata presented a bold redesign that was unmistakably a Sonata, with its daringly distinctive styling from the broad grille to the tapered tail. The N Line version enhanced this look with functional and stylistic changes, such as larger air intakes and gloss black accents, which improved the car's appeal while maintaining a stealthy performance suggestion. Inside, the Sonata N Line featured sport front seats with premium materials, red stitching, and a panoramic sunroof, creating a spacious and upscale feel.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining hatchback market with its redesigned model, produced in North America. The Civic hatchback shared its front design with the sedan but offered a unique rear design. It provided a modern interior with sophisticated digital displays and high-quality controls, although the CVT shifter operation was slightly less refined. The Civic hatchback was positioned as a practical and enjoyable alternative to small crossovers, with a focus on comfort and functionality.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It featured an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and multiple driving modes, enhancing its sporty performance. The Sonata N Line's suspension and steering improvements made it a pleasure to drive on winding roads, while its brakes proved reliable under hard use. Despite being front-wheel drive, the car handled well with minimal understeer, and its suspension provided a comfortable ride without sacrificing performance. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with real-world testing averaging 9.9 L/100 km.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder with 180 horsepower. The latter provided accessible torque and was paired with either a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission. The Civic hatchback's suspension and steering delivered a satisfying driving experience, although it was more focused on comfort than sporty handling. The brakes were adequate for daily driving but less effective under repeated hard use. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the CVT achieving 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving and the manual transmission averaging 7.8 L/100 km.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered comfortable heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for added support. Rear-seat passengers had limited legroom and thigh support, but rear air conditioning vents and a USB port improved comfort. The Sonata's trunk provided 453 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The hands-free trunk release was a convenient feature, although the lack of an interior handle could be inconvenient.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, although the load floor was not flat. Seating comfort was generally good, but the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster, and rear air conditioning vents were absent. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the Sport Touring trim offered heated front and rear seats. The interior materials varied by trim, with leather upholstery in the Sport Touring version.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose sound system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, but lacked a WiFi hotspot. The absence of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were minor inconveniences. The voice recognition system was generally effective, and the Sounds of Nature feature provided ambient noise tracks for relaxation.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The latter included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. Physical knobs for sound controls improved usability, and a shelf below the screen provided stability when using the touchscreen. The voice recognition system was responsive, and digital instrumentation varied by trim, with a comprehensive 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring version.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included a Rear Occupant Alert system, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. The Sonata received high safety ratings, although the N Line had not been independently tested by the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of review.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. Blind-spot warning was standard in Canada, with rear cross-traffic warning available in the Sport Touring trim. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and new frontal-impact airbags.