Toyota Corolla vs. New Honda Civic

The Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic are both great choices. Each offers something a little different to the buyer. The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car of all time and the Honda Civic has been favored by car enthusiasts for many generations. The question though is which is better for you, Toyota Corolla vs. Honda Civic? Let’s take a look at these two cars and find out which one is a better buy for you.

First off, The Pros and Cons of a Toyota Corolla

I think it is often a good idea to start with the more negative aspects when looking to buy. I think of it as the first round of interviews where your objective is to eliminate the vehicle as an option. Then take a glance at the reasons it should remain on your list. 

Toyota Corolla Cons

Limited Backseat Space

The Toyota Corolla is a bit tight at the back. There is little legroom and head space for backseat passengers. The seating is also quite close. This makes it uncomfortable if you have three people in the back. Ideally, you would only have four passengers in your Corolla for shorter trips. For the long haul, trips keep it to just three passengers.

Slow Acceleration

There is nothing exciting about launching a Corolla. They feel sluggish at first go, taking up to 8.8 seconds to reach 60 mph. For the average daily driver, especially in a city, and someone who is not necessarily a car person, it is not a problem though. It just doesn’t have the best feeling and it leaves you with a bland sensation.

Unengaged Handling

Much like the launch, the handling of a Corolla is not the best. Mind you, the softness of the steering wheel is probably perfect for first-time drivers but for people who are used to driving long distances or want to feel some action, it is not great. The handling can come across as a bit floaty. 

Toyota Corolla Pros

Front Seat Comfort

For drivers and front-seat passengers, the Corolla is fairly decent. The front part of the cabin is spacious and looks relatively good. It makes for the drive great inner-city commuting and carpooling. Though the infotainment system could do with an upgrade, it is still good quality and offers comfort to the user. 

Limited Cabin Noise

Smaller cars often have some cabin noise from the road that can be a little unsettling. Particularly if you drive long distances every day. The corolla is luckily a car that offers good soundproofing. This limits the amount of noise in the cabin while driving. That way you have a better experience and you can focus on other sounds such as an ambulance approaching. 

Comfortable Drive

Even though the handling is somewhat questionable, the ride itself is comfortable. Passengers will not feel too much turbulence whether they are in the front or the back. For daily driving, the Corolla is a wonderful choice. 

Next Up, The Pros and Cons of the Honda Civic

Honda Civic Cons

No Lumbar Support

The one unfortunate aspect of the Honda Civic interior is the lack of lumbar support. The driver’s seat has low lumber support which makes the drive less comfortable. Though this might not be a deal breaker it is something to keep in mind for people who already have back problems.

Lots of Road Noise

The road noise in the cabin of the Civic is often cited as being a bit too loud. Some people find this rather frustrating while driving, especially on a long-distance trip. Make sure you test drive the vehicle on different surfaces to get a good idea of the noise and if it will impact your decision. 

Honda Civic Pros

Space For Backseat Passengers

For a compact car, the Honda Civic has pretty good space for backseat passengers. The headroom and legroom are comfortable. It is great for people traveling on a road trip or just a long distance to get to work. Something like carpooling long distances could also make you lean toward the Civic. 

Safety Features

The Honda Civic is known for having good safety features. The car has tech that makes it handle better during a collision. Though the sensors might go off prematurely at times, they offer better protection and limit the chances of getting seriously hurt or damaging your car. 

Comfortable Handling

If you are driving the Civic, you will notice the steering is a bit heavier than that of the Corolla. This ensures that you feel more in control and gives you a bit better car handling while driving. The experience will change the way you drive and it may be better for your driving style. Though, it may just be something for car enthusiasts. 

Trunk Space

The trunk in the Civic offers 410 liters of space. It is bigger than the Corolla and ever so slightly lower to the ground for better loading. If you want to go on a road trip or do large shopping trips, the Civic will give you ample space. 

Engines

L, LE, and XLE trim levels of the Toyota Corolla are equipped with 1.8L four-cylinder engines. The car puts out 139 hp. The 2.0L four-cylinder engine in the Corolla S, SE, and XSE produce 169 horsepower. You can opt for a six-speed manual or automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT) for both engines. 

Fuel Economy

The difference in fuel consumption between the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic is not huge. Though you may get a little more bang for your buck when it comes to the Honda Civic. 

It depends on which car you select. Each edition/version is different. For the most part, you can expect to use between 28 and 40 mpg for the Corolla. While the Civic will offer between 27 and 40 mpg. 

What Does a Toyota Corolla Cost?

The Toyota Corolla has always been among the more affordable cars. You should prepare to pay between $21,550 and $24,000 for a new Corolla. While used they average $19,867.

What Does a Honda Civic Cost?

The Honda Civic is known for being pricier than its competitors. But you do get extra fun while driving the car and more trunk space. You should prepare to pay $24,650 to $29,650. A used one will set you back $22,114 on average. 

Last Things to Consider

Other points of interest have to do with the overall design of the cars. On one hand, you have the Corolla. A car that has not received the best criticism for its style. The car is designed with little to no flair for excitement and is probably the best on the hatchback version. This is not a bad thing. The car is not trying to be something else. You can clearly see it is a car that focuses on being a good all-rounder for the driver. It just won’t evoke any car enthusiast's desires. 

While on the other hand, the Civic is made with car enthusiasts in mind. The style given to the car makes it more appealing to drivers looking for something that satisfies their hearts. This essentially means that the civic is truly for people who want better aesthetics. 

Whatever your choice, be sure that you are covered in the event of a mechanical breakdown. Chaiz has a wide range of providers available on our comparison site for both Toyota and Honda.