The two best-selling compact cars in the world are the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. To find out how these popular cars stack up, check out this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Honda Civic comparison.

2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Honda Civic: What are the differences?

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Honda Civic compact car comparison, we evaluated several areas. This includes performance, gas mileage, safety, passenger and cargo space, warranty coverage, reliability, and price. Both cars offer sedan and hatchback versions, and we note the differences when applicable.

Corolla vs. Civic: Performance

The standard 2023 Toyota Corolla model has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 169 horsepower. Additionally, the Corolla offers a hybrid powertrain with an output of up to 134 horsepower.

Engine options for the standard 2023 Honda Civic model include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower) and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (180 horsepower). Also, the sporty Civic Si features another variant of the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates 200 horsepower. Unlike the Corolla, the Civic doesn’t offer an all-wheel drive system.

Additionally, for elevated performance, both the Corolla and Civic offer “hot hatches” with the first-ever GR Corolla and the redesigned Civic Type R. The GR Corolla has a 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine, which produces 300 horsepower. In comparison, the turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the Civic Type R generates 315 horsepower.

Corolla vs. Civic: Gas mileage

For efficiency, the fully gas-powered 2023 Corolla has an estimated gas mileage of up to 31 city/40 highway mpg, while the Corolla Hybrid has a fuel economy of up to 53 city/46 highway mpg. In comparison, the 2023 Civic has an estimated gas mileage of up to 33 city/42 highway mpg.

Corolla vs. Civic: Safety

The Corolla and Civic are very safe vehicles and offer a wide range of safety and driving assistance features. For the previous model year, both compact cars earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, which is the highest possible IIHS rating.

Corolla vs. Civic: Passenger and cargo space

Which compact car is bigger? The Corolla has a total passenger volume of 88.6 cu-ft for the Sedan and 84.6 cu-ft for the Hatchback. In comparison, both the Civic Sedan and Civic Hatchback provide 99.0 cu-ft of passenger space.

For trunk storage space, the Corolla Sedan has a trunk cargo capacity of 13.1 cu-ft, compared to 14.8 cu-ft for the Civic Sedan. For the hatchback models, the Corolla Hatchback has a maximum cargo capacity of 23.0 cu-ft, compared to 24.5 cu-ft for the Civic Hatchback.

Also, the cabin of the Civic is more upscale than the Corolla. It has a more premium look and feel, as well as a more sophisticated design.

Corolla vs. Civic: Warranty coverage and reliability

The Corolla and Civic have similar warranty coverage, with the backing of a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

However, the Corolla is more reliable than the Civic. It earned a J.D. Power reliability rating of 85/100, compared to 82/100 for the Civic.

Corolla vs. Civic: Price

Which compact car costs more: the 2023 Corolla or the 2023 Civic? The starting price of the 2023 Corolla is $21,550 MSRP, compared to $24,650 MSRP for the 2023 Civic. 

2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Honda Civic: Which compact car is better?

In this 2023 Toyota Corolla vs. 2023 Honda Civic comparison, each compact car has various advantages. For the 2023 Corolla, advantages include base engine horsepower, an available all-wheel drive system, hybrid gas mileage, reliability, and a lower starting price. Conversely, advantages for the 2023 Civic include maximum horsepower output, gas engine fuel economy, passenger space, cargo space, and a more upscale cabin.