Compare 2020 Toyota Corolla vs. Civic

Both the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic are known for being legacy vehicles. The Honda Civic was first offered in the United States in 1973.

The Toyota Corolla, however, has been around since 1966, and the 2020 Corolla model builds on this solid history.

While both vehicles have similar base MSRP prices, the Corolla takes a slight edge in cost.

The Corolla L CVT starts at $19,600¹² vs. the Civic LX CVT which starts at $20,350. For safety features, the Corolla comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0)²⁴ suite of active safety systems. The Civic offers a similar plan with Honda Sensing®.

In this legacy sedan head-to-head comparison, we will explore how these two vehicles compare in the key categories of performance, safety and interior.

When comparing performance between the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, while there are similarities, there are also clear differences. When you compare the Civic Sport Sedan and Corolla SE 6-speed manual trims, the Corolla takes the edge in horsepower, torque, and combined MPG. Also, the Corolla offers a hybrid grade for an even more eco-sensitive option. The 2019 Civic does not have a hybrid grade.

As we explore how the Corolla and Civic measure up in sheer horsepower, the Corolla takes the lead. The Civic Sport Sedan with 6-speed manual has lower horsepower at 158 hp, less torque at 138 lb.-ft. tq., and an inferior 25/36/29 MPG.

In comparison, the 2020 Corolla SE with 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission has rev-match downshifting, available mounted paddle shifters, 169 hp, 151 lb.-ft. tq., and 29/36/32 MPG⁷⁶⁷⁵. Also, while the CVT models for both vehicles offer available paddle shifters, the Civic’s 6-speed manual transmission does not have rev-match downshifting.

When it comes to fuel economy, the base-grade Corolla has the equivalent grade Civic beat. The starting grade Corolla L 1.8L 4-cylinder with CVT has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 30/38/33 MPG (city/highway/combined)⁷⁵. The base-grade Civic LX with standard 6-speed manual transmission has a 25/36/29 MPG rating.

In order to get an identical EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 30/38/33 MPG to the base-grade Corolla, you will need to upgrade to Civic LX with M-CVT ($800 MSRP).

While the Corolla and Civic have similar safety features, there are some key differences. For reassurance, the Corolla comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0)²⁴ suite of advanced active safety systems. The Civic offers a similar safety suite called Honda Sensing®.

The Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0)²⁴ features advanced safety features such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²² with low light pedestrian detection and daytime bicyclist detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA)²⁰ and Road Edge Detection, Automatic High Beams (AHB)¹⁸, Road Sign Assist (RSA)⁵⁹, and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)¹⁹.

In comparison, the Civic LX’s Honda Sensing® includes similar features for the Civic: Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), and Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM). It does not have, however, features like Pedestrian Detection and Road Sign Assist.

While the Civic does come with anti-theft protection and cornering brake control features as standard, these features are missing from the Corolla. The Toyota Corolla, however, comes standard with 8 airbags, including knee airbags. The Honda Civic does not have knee airbags and has only 6 airbags total.

As we explore interior features, the Corolla’s updated design gives it an edge over the Civic. The 2020 Toyota Corolla features an all-new spacious interior. The Honda Civic, for its part, had some restyled features for the 2019 model year, including an updated exterior and an added volume knob on the infotainment system.

When it comes to comfort, both vehicles have similar legroom in the front (42.0 inches on the Corolla vs. 42.3 inches on the Civic), but Corolla has considerably more legroom for passengers in the backseat with 41.4 inches vs. Civic’s 37.4 inches.

Corolla takes the lead in offering more for entertainment during your commute or weekend jaunts. The 2020 Corolla L comes with a 7-inch touch-screen, 6-month Verizon Wi-Fi Connect trial⁷⁷, and 6 speakers standard.

The 2019 Civic LX comes with a 5-inch Color LCD display, 4 standard speakers, and no Wi-Fi Connect. Plus, the Corolla L comes standard with Apple CarPlay®⁵¹ which is not offered on the comparable Civic LX grade.

In addition, the Corolla has a three-year Safety Connect® trial included with the purchase of all new Safety Connect® equipped vehicles⁶⁷. In contrast, the comparable HondaLink comes available only on certain Civic trims with a 3-month trial period.

When we take a closer look at how the 2020 Toyota Corolla and the 2019 Honda Civic compare in performance, safety, and interior features, they share many qualities. The Corolla, however, takes the lead over its competition by offering some functional features that the Civic does not have.

Even though the Civic LX with M-CVT has an equal EPA-estimated MPG to the Corolla L with CVT (30/38/33)⁷⁵, upgrading the Civic LX to M-CVT costs $800 extra. Across comparable sport trims, the Civic Sport Sedan with 6-speed manual has an EPA-estimated 25/36/29 MPG and the Corolla SE with 6-speed Intelligent Manual Transmission has 29/36/32 MPG.

If you are looking for a hybrid, you will need to keep looking beyond the Civic line-up as they don’t have one. Corolla, however, offers a hybrid trim.

When considering safety, both vehicles come with a suite of advanced safety features: the Corolla comes with Toyota Safety Sense® 2.0 (TSS 2.0)²⁴, and the Civic with Honda Sensing®.

Honda Sensing®, however, does not have some of the notable features of TSS 2.0 (TSS 2.0)²⁴ such as Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD)²³²² and Road Sign Assist⁵⁹. Also, the Corolla has more standard airbags.

Weighing the wealth of features that Corolla offers, it is easy to see why it has such a strong legacy with so many drivers investing in one. Especially when considering the fact that the base MSRP of the Corolla L w/CVT at $19,600¹² is lower than the base MSRP of the Civic LX w/CVT at $20,350.

In addition, the base-grade Corolla comes standard with features like Apple CarPlay® which is missing on the base-grade Civic LX. Higher trim Civics do include Apple CarPlay®⁵¹. In this legacy sedan head-to-head comparison, Corolla edges out the competition to take the win.