2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Toyota Camry

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its past reputation of being a bland, generic sedan by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The designers added features like flared wheel arches and sleek headlights and taillights, which helped to visually broaden the car. However, the SE and XSE trims were criticized for their excessive use of fake vents, adding unnecessary visual clutter. The LE and XLE trims offered a slightly cleaner look with a different grille, though it remained quite large. The Camry was built on the TNGA-K platform, shared with other Toyota models like the Avalon and RAV4. The interior design mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and elements that lacked a cohesive theme. Despite the low-rent feel of some materials, the Camry offered a variety of wheel options, from 16-inch steel wheels on the base LE trim to 19-inch alloys on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda Civic continued to be a staple in the compact car segment, available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-oriented Type R formats. The Civic sedan came in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $23,400 to $31,331 CAD, including fees. The Touring trim, tested in Cosmic Blue Metallic, featured 18-inch wheels and a turbocharged engine, offering a blend of style and performance. The Civic's design, once polarizing, had become familiar on the roads, with its adventurous interior design and quality materials. Despite its age, the Civic's cabin remained functional, though the infotainment screen size was limited to 7 inches. The Civic's interior was spacious, comparable to a midsize car from a decade ago, providing ample room for passengers and cargo.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque in FWD, and slightly less in AWD. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output to 206 hp and 186 lb-ft with FWD. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was also available, delivering 301 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Camry Hybrid combined a 2.5-litre engine with electric assist for a total of 208 hp. The SE Nightshade Edition, tested with the base four-cylinder and AWD, surprised with its sporty nature and responsive handling, though it lacked the sharpness of competitors like the Honda Accord. The TRD package, available since 2020, offered performance enhancements like stiffer suspension and larger brakes.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine producing 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The turbo engine, standard on the Touring trim, provided ample power and was complemented by a sophisticated suspension system. However, the CVT transmission was a drawback, with its droning nature and unsatisfactory paddle shifters. Despite this, the Civic excelled in fuel economy, averaging 6.8 L/100 km on a test loop. The Civic's handling and ride quality were commendable, though the lack of AWD and a manual transmission option limited its appeal to driving enthusiasts.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was slightly compromised. The front seats were adjustable and comfortable, with excellent visibility. Cargo space was average at 428 litres, with limited in-cabin storage. The Camry featured analog controls for ease of use, though some were awkwardly placed. Dual-zone climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan had a low seating position, making entry and exit a bit challenging. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, but the passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic's interior was spacious, with excellent rear seat comfort, though rear air vents were absent. The centre console provided ample storage, and the trunk offered 428 litres of space, slightly reduced in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2021 Toyota Camry came with a 7-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth as standard. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a JBL audio system. A 10-inch HUD was available on XSE and XLE trims. The infotainment system was functional but lacked standout features.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology was dated, with a standard 5-inch LCD screen and basic connectivity features. The Touring trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, and navigation. The voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was a nice addition, though the eight-speaker setup sufficed for most needs.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. It featured the TSS 2.5+ package with adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and more. New for 2021 was the Rear Seat Reminder, and blind-spot monitoring was available on higher trims.

The 2021 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and more. LaneWatch was available on higher trims, though it had limitations. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA, with the Touring trim offering the best safety features.