2021 Honda Civic vs. 2021 Toyota Corolla at Spring Honda in Cranbrook, BC
Neck and neck for years, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are probably the two most well-known compact sedans on the market, offering on-trend style, smart performance, and exceptional reliability. Well, in 2021, the Civic and the Corolla are still at the head of the pack—but which one will pull ahead as the clear-cut winner of the segment. Well, you might be able to guess what we think, but read on to learn about how these two stack up against each other!
Dimensions
Honda Civic Design
Low to the ground, with dynamic styling, the 2021 Honda Civic sedan proudly wears its motorsport inspiration on its proverbial sleeves. LED daytime lights, a sculpted front and rear fascia, and 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels are all standard equipment, while options like LED headlights and a one-touch power moonroof make the 2021 Civic even more desirable. Inside, heated front seats come standard, along with leather-trimmed surfaces and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, while the 60/40 split-folding rear seat adds practicality to this compact sedan’s surprising luxury.
Toyota Corolla Design
The 2021 Toyota Corolla shares many similarities with the 2021 Civic, including a low to the ground stance and sporty styling—though the honeycomb grille and abrupt back end leave something to be desired. The Corolla also uses LED headlamps in its flagship sedan, but it lacks the luxurious leather touches found standard throughout the Civic lineup, offering the imitation leather SofTex material on select trim levels. And while the 2021 Civic offers a generous 428-litres of cargo volume, the 2021 Corolla can only provide 371-litres, making the Civic the more practical choice.
| Specifications: 2021 | 2021 Honda Civic Sedan LX | 2021 Toyota Corolla L CVT |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4640 mm | 4630 mm |
| Width | 2076 mm | 1780 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2700 mm | 2700 mm |
| Cargo Volume | 428-litres | 371-litres |
Performance
Both the 2021 Corolla and Civic offer sporty performance thanks to their aerodynamic styling and peppy engines, but Honda’s flagship sedan easily takes this category. The base Toyota engine is a 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) that produces 139 horses, while the base Civic is an impressive 2.0-litre DOHC 4-cylinder with Honda’s impressive i-VTEC® technology—good for 158 horses. Both offer excellent fuel economy thanks to their respective CVTs (Continuously Variable Transmission), however when it comes to power, the Civic takes the title. Upgrade the engine in both models, and the Civic still beats out the Corolla with 174 horses to 169. So while horsepower isn’t everything, that extra bit of jump is enough to help separate these two closely matched combatants.
| Specifications: | 2021 Honda Civic LX | 2021 Toyota Corolla L CVT |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L DOHC i-VTEC® 4-cylinder | 1.8L 4-cylinder DOHC |
| Horsepower | 158 | 139 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 138 | n/a |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
Safety
Honda and Toyota have both made their name by producing safe, reliable rides for generations now. It should come as no surprise then that their most popular sedans come loaded with excellent safety features. The Civic brings Honda Sensing Technologies into the fold, spearheaded by advanced driver assistance features like Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking, and more. Likewise, the Corolla features Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, the latest in the brand’s available technology, with Pre-Collision System, Lane Tracing Assist, Daytime Bicycle Detection, and more. While the standard features are quite similar, the Civic may take it when it comes to options thanks to the available Honda LaneWatch™ blind spot display which displays vehicles in your blind spot in real time.
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla Verdict
There’s no doubt that these two compact sedans are closely matched; with similar standard safety equipment and design features, not to mention similar sized engines matched to CVTs, the 2021 Civic and 2021 Corolla appear neck-and-neck to start. However, when you look closer, you see Honda’s flagship sedan has the edge in all categories—whether it be the genuine leather found in its interior, the added horsepower, or the more advanced safety features.
Of course, we’ll let you be the judge of how the 2021 Honda Civic sedan performs in real life. However, we’re incredibly confident that you’ll choose the Civic too, after just one test drive. To book said test drive, simply use the contact form and the team at Cranbrook’s Spring Honda will get you set up in the right Civic for your needs. Don’t delay—not only is the 2021 Honda Civic fast on the road, but units are moving quickly as well!