While both are great cars, the 2022 Honda Civic hatchback comes out on top versus the Toyota Corolla hatchback for more space, more options, and better performance.
Hatchbacks offer the best of several worlds. They’re sporty yet practical, not too big and not too small, and boast a generous amount of accessible cargo space.
Both the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic come in a hatchback version. At a glance, they look pretty similar. But they do have some important differences. And depending on your preferences, one of them will be the best choice for you.
Come along with Jerry
, the car insurance
shopping app, as we take a look at what makes the Honda Civic Hatchback better than the Toyota Corolla Hatchback (or vice versa). We’ll also fill you in on how to save money on Honda Civic
or Toyota Corolla insurance costs
—or insurance for any other vehicle! Pricing
Both the Civic and Corolla hatchbacks are going to fall on the more economical side of the spectrum. However, the starting price of the Corolla’s hatchback models is less expensive across the board.
Take a look at the table below for MSRP information on all 2022 Civic and Corolla hatchbacks.
| | | |
|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE | | 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback LX | |
2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback SE Nightshade | | 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport | |
2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE | | 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback EX-L | |
| | 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring | |
The Corolla offers three trim levels (and two of them are pretty much identical except for the color), while the Civic has four trim levels. So the Corolla has a cheaper MSRP, but how do ownership costs for each one play out over the life of the car?
Let’s take a peek at the projected costs for each of the base-level trims, courtesy of our friends at Edmunds.
The Corolla SE has a five-year cost of ownership of $30,972, which includes $3,881 for maintenance costs and $5,465 for car insurance. The Civic LX comes in at a five-year cost of $29,459, with $3,347 for maintenance and $4,762 for insurance.
So while the Corolla costs less up front, the Civic is actually a better choice in the long run and will also have lower maintenance and insurance costs.
Performance
The Corolla Hatchback has a more powerful engine than the lower-level Honda Civic Hatchback
trims, but the engines in the top two Civic trims are the best of the bunch. While the sedan version of the Corolla offers several different drive trains, there’s only one option for the hatchback: a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder that will generate 168 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque.
The Civic has two different engines depending on the trim level you choose. The lower LX and Sport trims have a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine with an output of 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. Moving up to the EX-L or Sport Touring trims will get you a 1.5-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine that will kick out 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque.
Front-wheel drive is the sole option across the board for both cars, and both have an available automatic transmission. But stick shift fans rejoice: you can get a six-speed manual transmission in certain trims on each model.
So, what’s the upshot? If you want the most powerful engine, then a higher-level trim of the Civic is the way to go. While both deliver a comfortable driving experience, reviewers deemed the Corolla a bit sluggish on acceleration and found the Civic to provide a ride that’s more sporty and fun overall.
Fuel efficiency
Both the Corolla and the Civic provide an attractive fuel economy rating for a gasoline-only car.
There is some slight variation across trim levels for the Civic, but here’s an at-a-glance look:
| | Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined) |
|---|
2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback | | |
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback | | |
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback | 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbo | |
The Civic has a slight edge over the Corolla here, but not by much. It’s also worth keeping in mind that you’ll get better fuel economy these days with an automatic transmission, which is the opposite of what one would expect back in the day.
Technology
While both models start out strong in the tech department, the Civic wins with more available options for convenience and infotainment.
Both cars start things off with a 7-inch touchscreen, standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, and a generous supply of advanced driver-assistance tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warnings, and forward collision mitigation with emergency braking.
If you want more than that, then the Civic will offer you more available options for upgrades. You can get a larger 9-inch touchscreen and add wireless connectivity and charging capabilities.
If you’re an audiophile, the Civic also has a nicer stereo upgrade, with a premium 12-speaker Bose system available.
Reliability
Both Toyota and Honda have long-standing, rock-solid reputations when it comes to reliability—so there’s not really a bad option here.
J.D. Power gives the Civic an 82/100 predicted reliability score, while the Corolla gets a slightly better 85/100. But that being said, Consumer Reports gave the Civic a small edge when it came to reliability.
RepairPal gives both cars an excellent 4.5/5.0 rating for reliability, which is nice but not terribly helpful when trying to make a decision. But they do place the Corolla at number one when it comes to compact cars, while the Civic takes the bronze at number three.
Long story short? Both are very reliable cars—you can choose either with confidence in that arena.
Interior
This is one area where there’s a clear winner. The Honda Civic was totally redesigned for 2022, and it shows in its streamlined, attractive, and user-friendly interior.
Not that the Corolla is bad—it’s nicely designed as well, and the materials are good quality throughout. It’s just that according to most reviewers, the Civic has a nicer feel overall.
And it doesn’t just look nicer. The Civic has much more cargo space and rear legroom than the Corolla. Take a look at the dimensions:
As you can see, the Civic offers more cargo room than the Corolla. If you regularly have passengers in the back seat, they’ll definitely be on the cramped side in the Corolla.
For some reason, the higher two trim levels on the Civic have slightly less headroom. It’s also good to note that the sedan version of the Corolla has significantly more room in the back seat than its hatchback cousin.
The final word
At the end of the day, even though the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hatchback is less expensive up front than the Honda Civic Hatchback, the Civic is the better choice when it comes to long-term value, performance, and options.
If you just want the cheapest hatchback out of the bunch, then the Corolla SE is an attractive $21,165. But if you can afford to upgrade to a Civic, you’ll likely be happier in the long run, as it offers better value, more room, and more options.
Car and Driver liked both of these cars, but the Corolla earned an 8/10, while the Civic garnered a 9.5/10 and was selected as an Editors’ Choice for 2022.
How to find cheap car insurance for a hatchback
You’ve made your choice, you’ve decided on a color, and you’ve chosen your options. But don’t forget one very important detail—how to get the best deal out there on your car insurance coverage.
When you use Jerry
, you’ll get all the benefits of a thorough comparison shop, but with none of the hassles. Within minutes of downloading the trusted super app
and entering a bit of information, you’ll have access to a selection of customized quotes to choose from. Give it a try and see for yourself! On average, Jerry users who switch on the app save more than $800 a year on their car insurance.
“Buying my first car was stressful since I’m 19 and it was from out-of-state. But getting car insurance wasn’t, thanks to Jerry
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