2021 Honda Civic Vs 2021 Toyota Corolla
The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are likely the two most well-known cars on Canadian roads. Even if you’ve never owned one, you definitely know someone who does. Their popularity stems from their great value and reliability that has been proven with every iteration. The Corolla is the car we get asked about most often in relation to the Honda Civics. While the Corolla is admirable opponent, the Honda Civic continues to sit on the throne as Canada's best-selling car because it is a more well-rounded, highly desirable sedan.
“[T]here’s nothing else out this year that’s going to steal the car’s title belt. But here we are anyway with an even better Civic.” - Edmunds
Trim Showdown: Civic LX vs Corolla LE
The Civic LX and Corolla LE are the more popular trims within the lineup. Here’s some of the features that give the Civic the edge.
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
The Civic LX comes with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto meaning that you can seamlessly integrate your smartphone music, contacts, maps and more! The Corolla LE only offers Apple CarPlay and not Android Auto.
Choice of Transmission
The Civic LX lets you choose how you want to shift. It comes in a 6-speed manual that will provide all the control you would need or a Continuously Variable Transmission if you would rather keep the drive simple. The Corolla LE doesn’t have this choice, limiting you to only the CVT.
Powerful, Fun Performance
Plain and simple with more horsepower and torque, Civic overpowers and outperforms Corolla. Civic LX’s 2.0L 4-cylinder engine produces 158 hp, plus 138 lb.-ft. of torque while Corolla LE’s 1.8L Valvematic 4-cylinder engine only puts out 139 hp, in addition to topping out at a mere 126 lb.-ft. of torque.
Agile Handling Assist and Straight Driving Assist
Together, the Agile Handling Assist and Straight Driving Assist features give Civic a distinct steering advantage over its Toyota counterpart. As Corolla lacks any equivalent features, Civic delivers much smoother handling no matter the roadway, braking the inside wheel to keep the car planted in tight turns (Agile Handling Assist) and minimizing steering input when cruise control is activated (Straight Driving Assist).
Packed With Tech
Standard on the Civic LX is the Driver Information Interface or DII. It provides drivers with important content related to the vehicle’s function, like driving range and fuel consumption, audio controls, and more. Meanwhile, Corolla LE only offers a much smaller and less dynamic 4.2-inch TFT Multi-Information Display.
Additionally, the Civic offers a multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines, a captivating Honda LaneWatch™ Blind-Spot Display, standard Honda Sensing™ suite, 4-way power passenger seat, and a capless fueling system.
Storage Space
Whether upfront or in the back, Civic LX outdoes Corolla LE in the realm of storage capability. Not only does Civic boast a 57-litre trunk space advantage (428L vs 371L) over its Toyota rival, but its multifunctional centre console has a 7.2-litre capacity for storing everyday necessities like a tablet or 1-litre water bottle. Compare that to Corolla’s console, which sits further back by occupants’ elbows, making for much less intuitive storage access.
Trims
Civic
LX
- Available Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
- Heated front seats
- 7-inch colour TFT centre meter display with Driver Information Interface (DII)
- Apple CarPlay®/Android Auto™
- 7-inch Display Audio System with HondaLink™
- 60/40 split-folding rear seats
EX
- Standard CVT
- 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Honda LaneWatch™ blind-spot display
- One-touch power moonroof with tilt
- Remote engine starter
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat
Sport
- Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters
- 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Aluminum-trimmed sport pedals
- Sport seats
- Centre exhaust with chrome finisher
Touring
- 174-hp 1.5-litre direct-injected turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Leather-trimmed seating surfaces
- Heated rear seats
- Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™
- Wireless charging
- Decklid spoiler
- LED headlights with auto-on/off
Corolla
LE
- Standard CVT
- 16-inch steel wheels
- Toyota Connected Services with 8-inch display
- Blind Spot Monitor System
- Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Tracing Assist
SE
- 169-hp 2.0L Dynamic Force 4-cylinder engine
- Sport front bumper and grille
- 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Smart Key System with Push Button Start
- Front sport seats
- Qi wireless charging system
- Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters (CVT only)
XLE
- Heated rear seats
- Power slide/tilt moonroof
- Ambient lighting
- 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support
- SofTex® (synthetic leather) trimmed seats
XSE
- 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels
- Cloth/SofTex® (synthetic leather) trimmed seats
- Cargo net
- Embedded navigation
Click for full specifications and a further comparison of the Honda Civic Sedan Touring with the Toyota Corolla XSE .