2022 Honda Civic vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Honda Civic sedan was available in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices in Canada starting at an MSRP of $24,465 for the LX and reaching up to $30,265 for the Touring, excluding a $1,700 destination charge. The Civic Touring, tested in the new Morning Mist Blue, cost $32,396, including destination charges. The Civic Sport, with Platinum White Pearl paint and the Honda Performance Development package, was estimated at $31,467. The redesigned Civic resembled the larger Accord, offering a more conservative and mature appearance compared to its predecessor. Inside, Honda returned to simplicity with a minimalistic layout, featuring a metal honeycomb mesh across the dashboard to conceal air vents, and improved interior materials, especially in the Touring trim.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, a staple in the family sedan market since the mid-1990s, continued to impress with its futuristic and expressive design. The front end featured a bold, sneering face, and the base model came with 17-inch alloy wheels, while higher trims offered 18-inch and 19-inch options. Inside, the Camry Hybrid boasted a wild dashboard design with a sweeping curve and a large infotainment touchscreen. The second row provided ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat. Toyota maintained high standards of fit and finish, with smooth paint and quality materials throughout the vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Civic offered two engine options: a 2.0-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque for the LX, EX, and Sport trims, and a turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque for the Touring trim. Both engines were paired with continuously variable transmissions (CVT), featuring Step Shift programming for a more traditional automatic feel. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing responsiveness and handling. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, returning 7.7 L/100 km on a 150-kilometre loop compared to the estimated 6.9 L/100 km combined.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, with the LE model achieving 4.9 L/100 km in the city, 4.8 on the highway, and 4.9 combined. Other trims recorded 5.3 L/100 km city, 5.0 highway, and 5.1 combined. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, delivering 208 horsepower. An electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models. The Camry Hybrid's handling benefited from a lower centre of gravity due to the battery pack's placement, though maintaining EV mode was challenging, and some drivetrain droning was noted.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering improved support. The Touring trim featured a power driver's seat with excellent adjustability, though the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. The Civic's low stance made entry and exit challenging, but rear legroom was generous. The Touring trim included heated rear seats, but the absence of rear air conditioning vents was a drawback. The Civic's trunk offered 419 litres of space, reduced to 408 litres in the Touring trim due to sound system components, but still accommodated full-size suitcases and featured a split-folding backseat for added utility.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid provided a comfortable driving position with ample headroom and adjustable seating options. The front seats offered generous storage, including a spacious glove compartment and various nooks. The second row was easy to access and provided a roomy, comfortable space with bottle holders and map pockets. The Camry Hybrid's trunk matched the standard Camry's 428 litres, thanks to the low-mounted battery pack, and featured a passthrough for long items and foldable rear seats for larger cargo. Toyota's warranty covered the Camry Hybrid for three years/60,000 kilometres, with extended coverage for the powertrain, hybrid battery, and specific components.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel for greater customization and driving data. The Vehicle Activity display provided crucial information about the car's lighting status. The standard 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, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and navigation. The system's performance was generally impressive, though load times were occasionally slow.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid boasted advanced technology, including a JBL-tuned audio system with nine speakers on the XLE model. All models featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility, with a 7-inch touchscreen on the LE and a 9-inch touchscreen on other trims. The Camry Hybrid included a smart key system, push-button start, and a projected-path rearview camera. Higher trims offered a 10-inch head-up display, bird's-eye view camera, and ventilated seats, elevating the Camry Hybrid's luxury and tech offerings.

The 2022 Honda Civic came equipped with the upgraded Honda Sensing suite, featuring Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The system's performance was enhanced by a wide-view front camera and ultrasonic sonar sensors. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The vehicle's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and new airbag designs offered better head protection. A rear-seat reminder system was standard.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, Lane Tracing Assist, and automatic high beams. The Camry Hybrid also included the Star safety system, with stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. The vehicle had 10 airbags, three-point seatbelts, and LATCH anchors for child seats. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was standard on all but the base LE. The Camry Hybrid received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.