Honda Civic vs Lexus IS

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was a nod to its predecessor, the 2008 Lexus IS F, maintaining the essence of a powerful, naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 engine. This engine produced 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque, channelled to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. Priced at $72,900 Canadian, it offered a thrilling driving experience, balancing emotional excitement with everyday comfort and reliability. The IS 500's exterior styling was subtly aggressive, featuring exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels and minor trim modifications, while the interior remained intimate and high-quality, with a user-friendly infotainment system.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic sedan was available in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices starting at $24,465 Canadian. The Civic Touring, priced at $32,396, featured a new Morning Mist Blue paint and offered a more conservative design compared to its predecessor. The interior was minimalistic, with improved materials and a focus on simplicity. The Civic's design was more mature, appealing to those who preferred a tailored look. The Touring trim provided a comfortable and supportive driving position, although the low seating position could be challenging for some.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance was equipped with a robust 5.0-litre V8 engine, delivering 472 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 395 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm. This rear-wheel-drive sedan featured an eight-speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential, offering driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport S, and Sport+. The IS 500 accelerated to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds, with a weight distribution of 56% over the front wheels and 44% over the rear. Despite its weight, the IS 500 provided a thrilling driving experience, with a Yamaha rear performance damper enhancing ride comfort and stability. However, its fuel efficiency was less impressive, averaging 13.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

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 handling was agile and enjoyable, with improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning. The Touring trim was quicker to accelerate, but the Civic's fuel efficiency fell short of expectations, returning 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres during testing.

The 2022 Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance offered a comfortable interior with effective climate control and seat ventilation. The front seats were snug yet supportive, while the rear seats provided adequate space for average-height adults. Storage was limited, with a small trunk capacity of 305 litres. The control layout was intuitive, with clear markings and a touchscreen infotainment system.

The 2022 Honda Civic prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats offering excellent support. The Touring trim featured heated front seats and a power driver's seat, although the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The rear seats provided ample legroom, but the backrest angle might not suit everyone. The Civic's trunk offered 419 litres of space, reduced to 408 litres in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system. The interior design was more conventional, with accessible cupholders and a fingerprint-resistant trim.

The 2022 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system with an 8-inch display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a dynamic voice command system. The IS 500 added a 10.3-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2022 Honda Civic boasted digital instrumentation, with the Touring trim offering a 10-inch display panel. The Civic's infotainment system included a 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch display with wireless connectivity, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a navigation system. The voice recognition technology was significantly improved, providing a seamless user experience.

The 2022 Lexus IS came standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, offering a comprehensive suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The IS earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, although it received a four-star frontal-impact rating.

The 2022 Honda Civic featured the upgraded Honda Sensing suite, with adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Civic replaced its LaneWatch system with a proper blind-spot warning system and added rear cross-traffic alert in the Touring trim. The Civic's architecture was strengthened for improved collision protection, and it included new airbag designs and a rear-seat reminder system.