2022 Honda Civic vs. 2022 Toyota Corolla: The Faster, Roomier, Handsomer Car Is Also Less Reliable and More Expensive
Here’s the head-to-head you’ve been waiting for. In the world of compact sedans, the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla rule the roost. As the 2022 models roll out, you might have narrowed down your car shopping list to these two stellar contenders. But before committing to one, read our 2022 Honda Civic and 2022 Toyota Corolla comparison. You’ll find that the faster, roomier, more stylish car is also more expensive and potentially less reliable.
2022 Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla: Power, driving dynamics, and fuel efficiency
Automotive reviewer Gold Pony spent some time with both the 2022 Honda Civic and 2022 Toyota Corolla sedans. In a recent YouTube video, he highlights the key differences between these two wildly popular rides.
Under the hood, the Civic wins with a faster 1.5-liter turbocharged, inline four-cylinder. It can produce 180 hp and scoot from 0 to 60 mph in a quick 7.4 seconds. In comparison, the Toyota Corolla’s 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four produces 169 hp and earns a 0-60 time of 8.2 seconds.
The Civic also takes the win in terms of driving dynamics, where handling, cabin noise, and ride quality. It’s a close call because both sedans have some cabin noise. But the Civic provides a better-weighted steering wheel and handles better in the turns, allowing it to inch out the Toyota Corolla.
When it comes to braking distance, the Corolla beats the Civic.
However, the Honda wins again in fuel efficiency, getting an extra 2 mpg in city driving.
2022 Honda Civic vs. 2022 Toyota Corolla: Cargo capacity, passenger room, and tech features
The 2022 Honda Civic continues to impress with its interior.
As for tech features, the Civic takes the lead with a 9.0-inch touchscreen display, a digital gauge cluster, and wireless connectivity for Android and Apple devices.
The Civic also offers more legroom in the back. Rear passenger space measures 37.1 inches of headroom, 48.9 inches of hip room, and 37.4 inches of legroom. The Toyota Corolla offers the same amount of headroom — 37.1 inches — and a more spacious 51.3 inches of hip room, but only 34.8 inches of rear legroom.
According to U.S. News, the Civic wins the cargo space competition too. It offers 14.4 to 14.8 cubic feet depending upon the model, compared to the Corolla’s 13.1 cubic feet.
Style, reliability, and price comparison
Given all of the above, you might decide the 2022 Honda Civic is the better buy, especially considering the attractive redesign offering more aggressive styling than the Toyota Corolla.
However, the Corolla fights back with a couple of potential deal-breakers. First, with a base MSRP of $20,025, the 2022 Corolla is nearly $1,700 cheaper than the Honda. The base 2022 Civic starts at $21,700.
Second, if reliability matters, you’ll appreciate Consumer Reports’ evaluation of these two cars. The 2022 Civic gets 3 out of 5 in reliability. But the 2022 Corolla earns a perfect 5 out of 5 in reliability. So if you plan to drive and keep your car for the long haul, you might have a better ownership experience with the Corolla, based on ownership satisfaction scores and CR reviews.
Both of these compact sedans deserve a look and test drive. At first glance, the 2022 Honda Civic appears and feels like the winner in this comparison. But the Toyota Corolla is cheaper and more reliable, which could sway your decision.
