Are you in the market for a new compact vehicle and struggling to decide between the new 2021 Honda Civic and the 2021 Toyota Corolla? Both cars are solid options and will be dependable for years to come. Here’s a look at the differences between the 2021 Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla Engine Specs
Both the 2021 Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla come standard with front-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine. The Civic beats out the Corolla in both horsepower and torque. The Civic features a 2.0-liter engine with 158 horsepower, while the Corolla is a 1.8-liter with 139 horsepower. Torque on the Civic is 138 pound-feet, while the Corolla has 126 pound-feet of torque. Higher trim levels on both vehicles have even more powerful engines.
Fuel economy is the same for both vehicles at an estimated 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. The Civic has a slightly larger fuel tank capacity with 13.2 gallons compared with the Corolla’s 12.4 gallons.
Comparing Civic and Corolla Trim Levels
Trim levels on the 2021 Honda Civic are the LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. All trim levels are available in either a sedan or hatchback. The LX is the entry-level trim, while the Touring is the top of the range. Here’s a look at what you can expect with each trim level for 2021:
2021 Honda Civic Trim Levels
Honda Civic LX
- 2.0L DOHCi-VTEC four-cylinder engine
- Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
- 16-inch wheels with full covers
- Honda Sensing
- Auto high beam headlights and LED daytime running lights
- Projector-beam halogen headlights with automatic on/off
- Power side mirrors
- Automatic climate control
- 1.0-amp USB audio interface
- 160-watt audio system with four speakers
- 5-inch color LCD screen
- Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and streaming audio
- Manual height adjustment of the driver’s seat and fold-down rear seatback
Civic Sport
The Sport has all the LX features, plus:
- CVT with paddle shifters and sport pedals
- Smart entry, push-button start, and remote engine start
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Fog lights
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Sport combination seats and 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback
- Center outlet exhaust
- Black decklid spoiler
- HondaLink
- 7-inch display audio
- 1.5-amp USB smartphone and audio interface
- SMS text message function
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- SiriusXM Satellite Radio and HD radio
- 180-watt audio system with eight speakers
Civic EX and EX-L
The 2021 Honda Civic EX has the LX features plus a turbocharged and intercooled 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine. Infotainment options are similar to the Sport. Other features include:
- Driver’s seat with eight-way power adjustment
- One-touch power moon roof
- Rear seat center armrest and 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback
- Remote engine start, smart entry, and push-button start
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Honda LaneWatch
- Heated side mirrors
- Body-colored decklid spoiler
- Dual-zone automatic climate control system
The EX-L includes all the EX features, plus leather-trimmed seats, HomeLink remote system, and an automatic dimming rearview mirror.
Civic Touring
The Touring trim has all the EX-L features, plus:
- Chrome door handles and rain-sensing windshield wipers
- CVT with paddle shifters and sport pedals
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- LED headlights with auto on and off
- Four-way power front passenger’s seat and heated outboard rear seats
- Heated, body-colored power side mirrors that include LED turn indicators integrated into the mirrors
- 450-watt premium audio system with ten speakers, including a subwoofer
- Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System with Honda HD digital traffic and voice recognition
2021 Toyota Corolla Trim Levels
The 2021 Toyota Corolla comes in seven different trim configurations. These trim levels include:
Corolla L Edition
- 7-inch touch-screen display
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0
- 60/40 split fold-down seat in the rear
- Six-speaker audio system
- Star Safety System and integrated backup camera
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Amazon Alexa and Wi-Fi command
Corolla LE
- Remote keyless entry
- USB charging port
- Automatic climate control
- Metallic interior trim with chrome interior door handles
- Four-way adjustable passenger front seat and a six-way adjustable driver’s seat
- Hands-free Bluetooth capability
- 8-inch touch-screen display
Corolla Hybrid
- 7-inch color multi-information display
- 8-inch touch-screen display
- USB charging port
- Smart Key System and Hybrid Drive Mode
- LED headlights and taillights
Corolla SE CVT and SE Nightshade Editions
The SE CVT trim level has some sporty additions, while the SE Nightshade has blacked-out wheels and other black accents.
Corolla XLE and XSE
The XLE and XSE share these features:
- Power tilt/slide moon roof
- SofTex-trimmed heated front seats (sport seats on the XSE)
- Premium JBL audio system with Clari-FIL (available on XSE)
- Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) (available on XSE)
- 7-inch color multi-informational display (XLE only)
- Rear spoiler (XSE)
Technology Features on the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla
The Honda Civic LX sedan has more limited media options when compared with the Corolla, but once you move up trim levels, the Honda Civic has the latest and greatest in Honda technology. The entry-level trim technology differences between the two models are the only places where the Corolla may have a slight advantage over the Honda Civic.
Seating and Storage Capacity
Honda Civic beats out the Corolla for both interior space and storage. The trunk capacity on the Honda Civic is 15.1 cubic feet compared to the Corolla with only 13.1 cubic feet. Note, the Civic Touring trim has a slightly smaller trunk capacity of 14.7 cubic feet due to the premium sound system; however, this is still more than the Corolla. Both vehicles can seat five passengers. The Honda Civic has slightly more passenger volume at 97.8 cubic feet, while the Corolla only has 88.6 cubic feet.
Contact Rydell Honda of Grand Forks
While the Toyota Corolla is a great vehicle, the Honda Civic comes out on top in almost every way. Are you ready to test drive a new 2021 Honda Civic? If so, contact Rydell Honda of Grand Forks. You can stop by our showroom to talk with one of our knowledgeable sales representatives who will be happy to answer any additional questions you have. Let Rydell Honda of Grand Forks help you drive off with a new 2021 Honda Civic today.
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