Hyundai Sonata Hybrid vs Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback was a vehicle that could change its appeal based on various factors such as angle, lighting, paint colour, and wheels. It was likened to a character from a Seinfeld episode, sometimes appearing dowdy and homely, while at other times sporty and attractive. The Sport Touring trim, with its 18-inch alloy wheels and Boost Blue colour, was mostly appealing, although the rear end was considered a bit too stubby. Despite this, the overall styling of the Civic Sport Touring was found to be agreeable.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid received significant styling updates that enhanced its modern flair. The front fascia featured a streamlined design with a slim lightbar called the "seamless horizon lamp," giving it a distinct look. The badge was repositioned above the grille, and the headlights were placed independently below it. The rear end, with its wide "H" shape formed by the taillights, resembled the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe. While the side profile remained similar to the 2023 model, the Sonata's overall design was modern and competitive.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback in Canada came equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 177 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 and 4,500 rpm. This engine positioned the Civic Hatchback as a sportier alternative to the Civic sedan. The Sport Touring trim offered a choice between a six-speed manual and a CVT with paddle shifters and a Sport driving mode. The CVT, although not as fun as the manual, was decent and took advantage of the turbo engine's torque. The Civic Sport Touring was lively and enjoyable to drive, adding excitement to daily commutes and errands. However, it was noted to be loud on the highway, and the fuel economy figures varied depending on the transmission choice.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel-drive system for the first time, available on the Preferred-Trend trim for an additional $2,000. The Preferred-Trend trim featured a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The N Line trim offered a turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, with power transferred via an 8-speed wet-clutch dual-clutch transmission. The Sonata's steering feel and handling were appreciated, and the configurable driver-information display added to the driving experience.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback offered appealing features across its trims. Standard equipment included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated exterior mirrors, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a rear centre armrest, and a power sunroof. The Sport Touring trim added leather upholstery and an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat. The rear seat was roomy enough for two adults or three kids, with good support and USB quick-charge ports. However, the lack of air conditioning vents in the rear was a drawback. The cargo space behind the back seat was 693 litres, providing ample storage.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid provided competitive interior space and flexibility. The front-seat headroom was 975 millimetres, slightly above competitors like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Rear-seat headroom was 950 millimetres, and the front row prioritized legroom with 1,170 millimetres, while the rear-seat passengers had 885 millimetres. Heated and ventilated front seats were standard in the Preferred-Trend trim, and the slimmer steering wheel rim was appreciated for comfort. The trunk close button was a neat convenience feature, although its necessity in a sedan was questioned.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback's Sport trim featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which were considered basic compared to rivals. The Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, adding sophistication to the cabin. The upgraded system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, a navigation system, and wireless smartphone charging. The 12-speaker Bose premium sound system was a highlight, and the voice-recognition system was responsive and accurate.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid impressed with its selectable functionality of the driver's side front USB-C port, allowing it to switch between data-transmitting and charging-only modes. The curved display, combining the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display, was a standout feature. The N Line trim had a pair of 12.3-inch screens, while the Preferred-Trend trim had a smaller digital instrument cluster. The infotainment system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, Sirius XM, and a wireless charging pad. The N Line trim added navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.

The 2024 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with Honda Sensing, a package of advanced driving assistance systems. It included features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, automatic high-beam headlights, and a traffic sign recognition system. Blind-spot monitoring was standard, but rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors were exclusive to the Sport Touring trim. The Civic Hatchback received Good ratings in most IIHS assessments and a five-star overall crashworthiness rating from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid came with standard safety features like blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, safe exit warning, lane-following and lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and rear occupant alert. The infotainment system made it easy to access and control these features, with clear graphics explaining each function.