2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2022 Honda Civic presented a more mature and conservative design compared to its predecessor, drawing inspiration from the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation Civic was available in familiar trims like LX, EX, Sport, and Touring, with prices in Canada starting at $24,465 for the LX and reaching up to $30,265 for the Touring, excluding destination charges. The Civic Touring, tested in the new Morning Mist Blue, offered a refined interior with improved materials and a minimalistic dashboard featuring a metal honeycomb mesh to conceal air vents. The Civic's design aimed to appeal to those who preferred a more tailored and grown-up look, though it might have seemed plain to fans of the previous model's styling.

In contrast, the 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a variety of body styles, including coupe, convertible, sedan, and station wagon, with the AMG E53 Cabriolet being the focus of this review. The E-Class exuded luxury with its matte-finish paint, premium leather, and carbon fibre trim, making it a car for those who appreciated opulence. The AMG styling, larger wheels, and convertible top added to its allure, while the interior boasted high-resolution digital displays, Burmester speaker grilles, and supple leather. The E-Class was designed for those who valued both performance and luxury, offering a sophisticated and elegant driving experience.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options, both improved from the previous generation. The LX, EX, and Sport trims featured a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate performance for everyday driving. However, the turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine in the Touring trim delivered a more satisfying 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, offering a blend of performance and efficiency. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with Step Shift programming, enhancing the driving experience. The Civic's improved structural rigidity, suspension tuning, and steering feel made it enjoyable to drive, with the Touring trim offering quicker acceleration and a quieter ride.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet featured a 3.0-litre turbo inline-6 engine with EQ Boost mild-hybrid technology, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. This powertrain ensured robust throttle response across a wide rev range, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 4.6 seconds. The AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission and AMG Performance 4Matic+ AWD system provided excellent power delivery, while the AMG Dynamic Select driving modes allowed drivers to tailor the car's character. The E53 Cabriolet's AMG-tuned air suspension and performance exhaust system, along with optional 20-inch wheels, contributed to its dynamic performance. The car's dual personality allowed it to be a comfortable cruiser or a spirited performer, depending on the driver's preference.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering better support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim. The power driver's seat allowed for optimal positioning, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Civic's low stance made entry and exit challenging for some, but the rear seat provided ample legroom and thigh support. The Touring trim included heated rear seats, but the absence of rear air conditioning vents was notable. The redesigned interior featured a new centre console with accessible cupholders and a smaller trunk in the Touring trim due to premium sound system components, though it still offered practical cargo space.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG E53 Cabriolet accommodated four passengers comfortably, with the Aircap system reducing cabin turbulence when the top was down. The focus was on front-seat comfort, with standard heated seats, a heated steering wheel, and the Airscarf neck-warming system. Sun-reflective leather and ventilated front seats were available for hot weather, while the triple-layer acoustic soft top maintained a quiet cabin. The test car featured multi-contour front seats with massage and an Air Balance fragrance system, enhancing long-distance comfort. The trunk offered 360 litres of cargo space with the top up, but this was significantly reduced when the top was down.

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 to ensure proper headlight usage. The infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, while the Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The system's voice recognition technology was a significant improvement, though it had a slow load time.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class excelled in digital instrumentation and infotainment with its MBUX system, featuring two 12.3-inch screens for the touchscreen and digital instrument cluster. The system offered intuitive interaction through various controls, including voice commands. MBUX included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Wi-Fi service, and an augmented reality navigation overlay. The test car's Burmester surround-sound audio system provided exceptional audio quality, though the digital assistant could be inadvertently activated.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted an upgraded Honda Sensing suite with features like Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The new wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sensors improved the system's performance. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and added rear cross-traffic alert in the Touring trim. The car's architecture was strengthened for better collision protection, and new airbag designs enhanced safety.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz E-Class included standard safety features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The E-Class Cabriolet featured pop-up rollbars for rollover protection. Mercedes Pre Safe and Pre Safe Sound prepared occupants for collisions, while Active Parking Assist and a surround-view camera system aided parking. The optional Driver Assistance Package added advanced features like adaptive cruise control, Active Steering Assist, and Evasive Steering Assist, enhancing the car's safety capabilities.