2022 Honda Civic vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

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 such as LX, EX, Sport, and Touring, 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 Morning Mist Blue, featured a minimalistic interior with improved materials and a metal honeycomb mesh across the dashboard, elegantly concealing the air vents. The redesigned Civic aimed to offer a more grown-up look, appealing to those who found the previous model's styling too bold.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Corolla aimed to shed its reputation for dullness with a more extroverted exterior design, featuring scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. The Corolla offered different styling elements for various trims, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia. The SE Apex Edition, tested in Cement Grey, showcased a sportier appearance with a subtle body kit and model-specific 18-inch wheels. While the Corolla's design was more adventurous than before, it couldn't quite match the cohesiveness of the Civic's redesign. Inside, the Corolla's interior was simple yet appealing, though it lacked the imaginative flair of its exterior. The fit and finish were up to Toyota's standards, but the use of piano black plastic trim was less practical due to its tendency to attract dust and smudges.

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. This engine was adequate for everyday driving but paled in comparison to the turbocharged 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine in the Touring trim, which delivered 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged engine provided a satisfying blend of performance and efficiency, with power stretching across a broad rev range. Both engines were paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), featuring Step Shift programming to mimic a traditional automatic. The Civic's Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, enhancing the car's responsiveness and complementing its enjoyable ride and handling characteristics. Despite its fun-to-drive nature, the Civic Touring's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, returning 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres on a test loop.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla also offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models were equipped with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 lb-ft of torque. The SE and XSE models, along with the Apex Edition, featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 169 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. The Apex Edition added a sport exhaust system for a throatier sound. The Corolla's smaller engine came with a CVT, while the 2.0-litre engine offered a choice between a six-speed manual gearbox with rev matching or a CVT with paddle shifters. The Apex Edition's manual transmission and model-specific suspension made it more nimble than other Corolla models, though the stiffer ride quality was a trade-off. While the Apex Edition was fun in corners, it lacked the power and excitement of a true performance model.

The 2022 Honda Civic continued its tradition of comfort with redesigned front seats offering better support. The Touring trim featured leather-lined, power-adjustable front seats with heating, though ventilation was absent. The Civic's low seating position made entry and exit challenging for some, but the rear seat offered ample legroom and excellent thigh support. However, the backrest angle might have felt too reclined for some passengers. The Civic's interior redesign included a new centre console with less storage space but more accessible cupholders. Trunk volume was generous at 419 litres, or 408 litres with the Touring trim, due to premium sound system components.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered similar headroom and legroom to the Civic, with a low beltline aiding visibility. However, the steeply raked windshield and deep dashboard compromised forward visibility. The driver's seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but long-legged drivers might have found knee space lacking. The Corolla's 371 litres of cargo space fell short of competitors like the Civic. A 60/40 split-folding rear bench seat was standard, and a power trunk release was available on certain trims. The sleek interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders.

The 2022 Honda Civic impressed with its digital instrumentation and infotainment technology. The Touring trim featured a 10-inch display panel offering customization and driving environment data. The Vehicle Activity display was a standout feature, showing when the LED headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals were active. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with 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 performance was generally excellent, with only a slight delay when starting the engine.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla's infotainment system lagged behind competitors. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on the base model, while other trims received an 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth were standard, along with a six-speaker audio system. The XSE and XLE trims featured a nine-speaker JBL audio system. While the interface was user-friendly, the graphics appeared dated, and wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was absent. The Corolla lacked innovative tech features, such as a digital key, which might have been a drawback for tech-savvy buyers.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted an upgraded Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Standard features included Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and Lane Keeping Assist. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. The car's architecture was strengthened for better collision protection, and new airbag designs improved head protection. A rear-seat reminder system was also standard.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received top safety ratings, earning an IIHS "Top Safety Pick+" award and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Corolla featured eight airbags and a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features under Toyota Safety Sense 2.0. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert was available and standard on higher trims.