2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2023 Toyota Crown

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback emerged during a time when hatchback popularity was waning, with many automakers discontinuing the body style in favour of small crossover SUVs. Despite this trend, Honda saw an opportunity to capture a significant portion of the remaining market. The redesigned Civic hatchback was produced in Indiana, making it one of the few compact cars still manufactured in North America. It shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but featured unique elements from the front doors to the rear, giving it a distinct appearance. The interior boasted sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, particularly in the Sport Touring trim, which added a modern touch. However, the CVT shifter operation was noted as a slight detractor from the overall sense of sophistication.

The 2023 Toyota Crown, a full-size sedan, stood out with its elevated ride height, reminiscent of crossover vehicles. Its design featured a massive grille, angular wraparound headlights, and large wheels that contributed to its sporty aggression. The rear was rounded with a bold taillight strip, and the Platinum trim offered a two-tone colour option. Inside, the Crown was modern, with a digital instrument panel and a large touchscreen. The cabin combined hard plastics with cushioned touchpoints, and while it could have been mistaken for an entry-level luxury vehicle with improved materials, it still maintained a fancier Toyota feel. The Crown's ride quality was tuned for comfort, and while it didn't encourage sporty cornering, it handled curves confidently at sensible speeds.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower. The latter was available in the Sport and Sport Touring trims, providing a more energetic driving experience. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with no all-wheel drive option. The CVT worked well with the turbocharged engine, offering a smooth driving experience, while the six-speed manual transmission was praised for its short throws and fluid gear engagement. The Civic's suspension was firm yet comfortable, and the steering and brakes provided a satisfying driving experience. Fuel efficiency was commendable, with real-world testing nearly matching official estimates.

The 2023 Toyota Crown offered two hybrid powertrains: a base 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with a hybrid electric motor producing 236 horsepower, and a turbocharged 2.4-litre engine with a more powerful rear electric motor in the Platinum trim, delivering 340 horsepower. The base hybrid used a CVT, while the Hybrid Max had a six-speed automatic transmission. The Crown's ride quality prioritized comfort, and while it didn't encourage sporty driving, it handled curves confidently. The cabin remained quiet, though some electronic driver aids were noted as intrusive. The Crown's fuel efficiency was enhanced by an EV drive mode, though it was challenging to maintain.

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, though the load floor wasn't flat. Seating was comfortable, with the Sport Touring trim offering heated front and rear seats. However, 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 interior featured a mix of fabric and leather upholstery, depending on the trim.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's interior varied by trim, with the XLE featuring fabric and SofTex faux-leather upholstery, while the Platinum trim offered full leather. The front seats were comfortable for long trips, though firm cushioning could cause discomfort over time. The driver and front passenger had ample storage space, and the rear seats provided generous legroom and adequate headroom. The trunk, while limited to 360 litres, was practical with remote seatback releases for expanded space. Despite its fastback profile, the Crown had a traditional trunk, which was smaller compared to competitors.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the LX and Sport trims, and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The latter included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls was a welcome improvement. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a more comprehensive display in the Sport Touring trim.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The base audio system was adequate, but an 11-speaker JBL system was available for audiophiles. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates and featured a voice-recognition system activated by "Hey Toyota." A digital key feature was standard on the Platinum trim, allowing smartphone access to the vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, though these were only available with the CVT. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety features and engineering.

The 2023 Toyota Crown's safety features included collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a blind-spot monitor. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parking system. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, some new features were noted as intrusive. Crash test results were not available at the time of publication.