Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla – which is best?

The latest Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are both hybrid hatchbacks, capable of getting mega mpg figures while providing a smooth and relaxing driving experience. While the Corolla is ubiquitous, the latest Civic is a little more elusive – but don’t think that means it’s no good.

Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla compared

Styling

After a couple of generations of pointy, exaggerated styling, the latest Civic boasts a smoother and more sophisticated appearance. It’s quite long for a family hatchback, and that allows a coupe-like sloping roof without sacrificing rear headroom. The Sport trim strips away the chrome of the Elegance trim, with black detailing and grey alloy wheels, while the top-spec Advance gets further exclusive styling tweaks.

Meanwhile, the Corolla nameplate is known for very conservative styling, but this current-shape Corolla is boldly styled and stands out more than you might expect. The pointed headlights are pin-sharp and the wide grille looks sporty – and this is echoed around the back in the lights and bumper design. Design and Excel trims add tinsel, while the GR Sport trim gives the Corolla a mean look – but that isn’t matched by its driving experience.

Interior

Both of these cars eschew the idea that a car needs a massive touchscreen and nothing else. Honda and Toyota are both fans of physical buttons and clear, functional dials, so you can see all the info you need at a glance and adjust the climate control without taking your eyes off the road.

The Civic’s interior feels a bit more premium than the Corolla’s, with slightly more solid-feeling controls and a smattering of nicer materials. We also prefer the Civic’s infotainment system to the Corolla’s, although neither is the absolute best in class – but both include wireless phone mirroring, allowing you to use your phone’s apps through the screen.

Dimensions and practicality

The Honda is considerably longer than the Corolla – luckily a reversing camera and parking sensors at each end are included as standard. If you’re after a practical hatch, the Civic is right up there.

Rear legroom is particularly impressive, giving you the space to truly stretch out. Boot space has taken a back seat, if you pardon the pun, because the 410-litre space is less than the previous Civic offered – but it’s still a bit bigger than the VW Golf’s boot.

In comparison, the Corolla hatchback feels cramped. Rear space is only just enough for a pair of adults, while the 361-litre boot in the 1.8-litre car is merely average. Opt for the 2.0-litre Corolla and the boot space drops to 313 litres.

However, the Corolla has an ace up its wheel arch – the Touring Sports estate. This is more spacious for both passengers and luggage, giving the Corolla the requirements to be a good family car.

Engines

Honda’s 2.0-litre hybrid engine is clever and complex, but immensely well sorted. You can achieve up to 56mpg, and the 181hp on tap allows a brisk 0-62mph time of eight seconds.

Honda’s e-CVT gearbox has fake gearchanges, and the result is genuinely transformative. The engine is kept quiet for the vast majority of the time and the car feels like a conventional automatic.

One of our main grumbles with the Corolla is how noisy and strained the engine sounds when you ask for a decent amount of acceleration. It makes joining a motorway or leaving a 30mph zone an unpleasant experience. And because the performance isn’t as strong as the Civic’s you’re hearing that noise for longer. If you keep the Corolla’s engine noise down, you could see more than 60mpg.

The Civic is more engaging to drive than the Corolla, too. The Honda flows with the road, serves up a dollop of power instantly, steers eagerly and has a firm-but-comfortable ride. Toyota’s hatch isn’t bad at all; it’s happy to be easy-going and mature-feeling, but never entertaining.

Value

So far, the Civic has beaten the Corolla in most areas, but not here.

Toyota charges around £30,000 for a brand-new entry-level Corolla, up to around £35,000 for a top-spec model. The Civic, meanwhile, starts from nearly £34,000 and approaches £40,000 in its highest specification – although it’s worth noting that the entry-level Civic Elegance trim is better equipped than the Corolla in base Icon trim.

There’s a similar price difference on the used market. As we write this, a 2024 Corolla in the high-spec GR Sport trim is available for under £25,000, while a high-spec Civic is more than £27,000 – although the difference in monthly payments on PCP finance isn’t particularly significant.

Be careful of picking a Civic that originally cost more than £40,000 when new (a top-spec car with optional metallic paint, perhaps), because then your road tax bill will be over £600 a year until the car’s six years old. Sub-£40k Civics and every Corolla model attract the standard rate of £195.

The Corolla also has the Civic soundly beaten for warranty cover. While both of these cars have a rock-solid reputation for reliability, Toyota’s 10-year service-activated warranty could give you more peace of mind than Honda’s merely adequate three-year warranty.

Which is best?

The Honda Civic is better than the Corolla in many areas. It’s more practical, has a plusher interior, it’s more refined and it’s much nicer to drive. The Civic is our favourite family hatchback, and it’s the one we’d recommend to many drivers. But there’s no denying that the Corolla appeals to the head – it’s generally a bit cheaper to buy and to run, and that warranty is certainly a selling point.

Want more info on these cars? Read our Honda Civic review and Toyota Corolla review. Or, if you’ve made up your mind, shop used Honda Civic cars for sale or used Toyota Corolla cars for sale at Motorpoint.