You really can’t go wrong with a Civic. It’s simple and straightforward, it’s a perfect commuter car, and the 2022 lineup offers a huge range of trim levels and options. But, the competition hasn’t just been sitting around. The compact 2023 Hyundai Elantra brings a light refresh for the new year, and it’s looking for a fight. If you’re trying to decide between a 2022 Honda Civic or a 2023 Hyundai Elantra, read on for four reasons why the Civic might be the better choice for you.

The 2022 Honda Civic offers a more premium interior than the Elantra

There are a number of factors that make the new Honda Civic one of the best compact cars of 2022—but its premium interior is one of the top reasons. AutoGuide expresses satisfaction with the new Civic’s interior, saying: “No matter what part you touch, there’s a real feeling of quality in the new Civic. Plastics are soft, panel gaps are tight, and there’s zero hunting around for controls. It’s also an airy space: Honda made a concerted effort to improve visibility by lowering the beltline of the car.”

The Civic is also one of the best small cars with the most cargo space, so you can count on it for any road trip.

The Honda Civic is more powerful and handles better than the 2023 Elantra

The base 2022 Honda Civic is more powerful than all levels of the 2023 Hyundai Elantra. The Civic’s standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine creates 158 horsepower to the Elantra’s 147 hp. Its available 1.5-liter turbo engine is good for 180 horsepower—far above what the Elantra compact sedan can put out. The fastest Honda Civic, the Type R, is also more powerful than the most robust model in the Elantra family—the Elantra N.

AutoGuide claims that “the suspension tuning is right there at the top of the class. Honda’s engineers have struck a fine balance between tied-down body control and straight-line comfort.”

The 2022 Honda Civic is more reliable than the 2023 Hyundai Elantra

There’s no doubt that the Honda brand is known for making reliable vehicles. And while Hyundai has made improvements over the years, the Civic still pulls ahead in terms of reliability and durability. Not in a place to buy new—or can’t find one? A used Honda Civic is an equally good choice.

The new 2022 Civic is safer than the Elantra

After 50 years of Civic production, Honda has learned a thing or two about safety features for its popular compact sedan. AutoGuide points out that “with the 2022 redesign, the Honda Civic scores a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has yet to test the 11th-generation model, but we predict it will score the same 5-star rating as its predecessor.”

With all this in mind: choose the Civic over the Elantra

The new Honda Civic may be slightly more expensive than the new Hyundai Elantra, but it brings impressive performance, a more luxurious cabin quality, and more solid reliability and safety. Choose a sedan or hatchback model, like the affordable Civic LX or the fun Civic Sport Touring. If you want the best combination of fun and function, consider the 2022 Honda Civic over the 2023 Hyundai Elantra.