2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation, was a departure from its predecessor's sharper angles, adopting a more fluid and curvier design reminiscent of the S-Class and C-Class models. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes' chief designer, Gorden Wagener, was evident in its elegant and handsome appearance, whether as a sedan, wagon, coupe, or convertible. The E-Class featured new bumpers, exhaust tips, and wheels, with a slightly edgier front and a more traditional rear. Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxury, with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fibre adorning the cabin. The interior was a blend of decadent materials and modern technology, including two 12-inch screens and a digital instrument panel, making it a lavish and inviting space.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic presented a more conservative and plain appearance compared to its predecessor, drawing inspiration from the larger Accord sedan. The redesigned Civic aimed for a more mature and tailored look, appealing to those who found the previous model's styling too bold. Inside, Honda focused on simplicity, with a minimalistic approach to controls and layout. The dashboard featured a metal honeycomb mesh to hide air vents, and the interior materials were improved, especially in the Touring trim, reflecting a newfound maturity. The Civic's interior was designed for comfort and practicality, with redesigned front seats offering better support and a more spacious back seat for passengers.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class introduced electrified inline-six powertrains, replacing the conventional V6 engines. The E450 model became a hybrid, utilizing a 48-volt electrical system to provide extra power and torque, allowing the engine to shut off more frequently to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's 3.0-litre I6 engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power from the battery's overboost. The AMG E53 model added a second turbo, delivering 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque, offering brisk acceleration and a healthy exhaust note. The AMG E63 S, with its 4.0-litre V8 engine, produced 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant with advanced features like variable-rate air suspension and rear-biased AWD. Despite its power, the E-Class maintained a comfortable ride, though fuel efficiency was not its strong suit.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options, both improved from the previous generation. The base 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, available in LX, EX, and Sport trims, produced 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate performance for everyday driving. The Touring trim featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, offering a more satisfying blend of performance and efficiency. Both engines were paired with a CVT, featuring new Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's handling was enhanced with improved structural rigidity, revised suspension tuning, and better steering feel, making it enjoyable to drive. However, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations during testing, returning 7.7 L/100 km compared to the estimated 6.9 L/100 km.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, making everyday tasks easier. The cabin was spacious, accommodating four adults comfortably, with ample headroom and legroom. The E-Class offered various body styles, including a coupe with usable rear seats and a wagon with a stowable rear-facing jump seat and generous cargo space. The sedan provided 540 litres of trunk space, while the two-door models offered 405 litres. Despite its luxury, some features like rear USB ports and heated rear seats were missing in the E53 model.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering better support. The Touring trim featured a power driver's seat with excellent thigh support, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, but the back seat offered more legroom than most competitors. The Civic's interior redesign included a new centre console with less storage space but more accessible cupholders. Trunk volume was generous at 419 litres, or 408 litres with the Touring trim, accommodating full-size suitcases and offering a split-folding backseat for added utility.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted the MBUX infotainment system, featuring a touchscreen interface with gesture control and natural voice processing. The system offered a live feed from the front camera with overlay arrows for navigation and various extras like massaging seats and seat kinetics. While the system lacked OTA updates and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it included a wireless phone charger and connected services. The instrument cluster offered customizable displays, allowing drivers to choose between traditional or modern graphics.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel with greater customization and a Vehicle Activity display. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the Touring trim offered a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system performed well, with voice recognition technology and a user-friendly interface, though it had a slow load time when starting the engine.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars available, with a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a "Top Safety Pick+" from the IIHS. It featured advanced safety innovations like Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during collisions, and crosswind countermeasures. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring, with additional driver-assist features available as options.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured an upgraded Honda Sensing suite, including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The Civic's architecture was stronger, with new airbag designs and rear side-impact airbags. A rear-seat reminder system was standard, enhancing safety for all passengers.