2021 Toyota Camry vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2021 Toyota Camry aimed to break away from its traditionally bland image by incorporating more dynamic styling elements. The design featured flared wheel arches and sleek headlights and taillights, which helped to give the car a wider appearance. 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 design. The interior mirrored the exterior's chaotic styling, with a mix of contrasting materials and elements that lacked a cohesive design theme. Despite the low-rent feel of some materials, the Camry's interior was functional, with standard features like 16-inch steel wheels on the base LE trim and options for larger alloy wheels on higher trims.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was designed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks, as many automakers phased out this body style. Built in North America, the Civic Hatchback shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear. The car's design addressed the common issue of hatchbacks appearing front-heavy, although it still suffered from a somewhat stubby rear. Inside, the Civic Hatchback offered a modern and sophisticated appearance, especially in the Sport Touring trim, which included digital instrumentation and high-quality controls. The CVT shifter operation was a minor drawback, but overall, the Civic Hatchback provided a comfortable and functional interior.

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 most trims with FWD, slightly less with AWD. The XSE trim featured a dual-exhaust system, increasing output to 206 hp with FWD. A 3.5-litre V6 engine was 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, with its base four-cylinder and AWD, surprised with its sporty nature and responsive handling, offering a balance between ride quality and cornering ability.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with a choice of engines, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The Sport and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic Hatchback was FWD only, with a choice of CVT or six-speed manual transmission. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, while the manual transmission offered a delightful driving experience. The Civic Hatchback provided a satisfying ride with firm suspension tuning and responsive steering, although it was not as sporty as the upcoming Civic Si or Type R models.

The 2021 Toyota Camry offered generous rear headroom and legroom, though front space was somewhat limited. 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 key functions, enhancing usability, though some controls were awkwardly placed. Dual-zone automatic climate control was available on higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a spacious 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat featured a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. Seating was comfortable, with some complaints about the front passenger seat's lack of height adjustment and absence of rear air vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, with heated front seats standard in Canada. The Sport Touring trim added heated rear seats and leather upholstery, with automatic climate control standard across trims.

The 2021 Toyota Camry's standard infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims offered a 9-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a nine-speaker JBL audio system. A 10-inch head-up display was available on XSE and XLE trims. The system was functional but lacked standout features, with limited USB ports.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen standard on LX and Sport trims. The Sport Touring trim added a 9-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless charging, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system addressed previous criticisms with physical knobs and a steadying shelf for touchscreen use. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display on the Sport Touring trim.

The 2021 Toyota Camry earned top safety ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA. It came with the TSS 2.5+ package, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included enhanced forward-collision warning and a Rear Seat Reminder. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured the Honda Sensing suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. A blind-spot warning system was standard in Canada, with rear cross-traffic warning on the Sport Touring trim. The Civic Hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, with advanced airbags and engineering for improved crash protection.