2017 Honda Civic vs. 2017 Toyota Corolla: Which is Best?

2017 Honda Civic vs 2017 Toyota Corolla

The Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic have battled it out for decades, as they’ve grown in size, capability, and style. 2017 sets yet another high-water mark. The Toyota Corolla is the best-selling car of all time, with over 40 million sold between its launch in 1966 and 2013. Toyota commemorates the Corolla’s success with a 50th Anniversary Special Edition model for 2017. The Civic was a tiny 3-door hatchback when it first reached our shores in the early 1970s. Boy, have times changed. Both the 2017 Corolla and Civic are offered in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback variations. The Civic is also available as a 2-door coupe. This comparison will focus on the sedans.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The base 2017 Honda Civic LX has a starting MSRP of $18,740, with a 6-speed manual transmission. A continuously variable automatic transmission is an additional $800. There are five trim levels in all: LX, EX, EX-T, and EX-L, along with the fully-loaded Touring model, which carries a hefty $26,600 price tag. The 2017 Toyota Corolla starts at $18,500 for the base L model with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The Corolla is offered in seven trim levels: L, LE, LE Eco, XLE, SE, XSE, and the 50th Anniversary Special Edition. The XSE tops the range, with a starting MSRP of $22,680.

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Options

Neither the Civic or Corolla offer extensive option lists. Instead, the plethora of trim levels enables you to select a vehicle with a combination of features that best suits your needs. A slew of dealer installed accessories allows for personalization. The 2017 Civic offers the Honda Sensing safety package as a $1,000 option on the LX, EX, EX-T, and EX-L trim levels. The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System is a $1,000 option on the Civic EX-L. The Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite is a $525 option on the Corolla XLE and XSE. A power tilt/slide moonroof with sliding sunshade is a $850 option in the 50th Anniversary edition.

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Powertrains and Efficiency

The 2017 Civic provides more powertrain choices than the Corolla. The Civic LX and EX are equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder engine that produces 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque. The EX-T, EX-L, and Touring models are fitted with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four that delivers 174 HP and 162 pound-feet of torque. A continuously variable automatic transmission is offered in all trim levels. A 6-speed manual is available in the LX and EX-T. The EX-T, EX-L, and Touring offer the highest levels of fuel efficiency with EPA ratings of 32 city/42 highway. The 2017 Corolla is equipped with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 132 HP and 128 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a CVT in all models with the exception of the Corolla SE Manual, which packs a 6-speed manual gearbox. The LE Eco is the most efficient Corolla, with an EPA rating of 30 city/40 highway miles per gallon. The XLE is rated at 28 city/36 highway.

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Standout Features

The Civic EX-T, EX-L, and Touring models feature dual-zone HVAC and heated front bucket seats. The EX-L and Touring have heated outboard rear seats, as well, while the Corolla XSE and XLE only have heated front buckets. While Toyota’s Entune infotainment system is quite good, Honda’s support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will make it the first choice for many smartphone aficionados. Simplicity, elegance, and functionality are key. All that said, safety is the most important attribute of all, and the inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense technology as standard equipment in every Corolla is a bold move.

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Exterior Design

The Civic was redesigned extensively in the 2016 model year. The tenth generation Civic benefits from an aggressive angular exterior design that stands out from its predecessors and brings style and excitement back to the badge. The Corolla is in its eleventh generation and was most recently redesigned for the 2013 model year. While the Corolla’s wide grille and dramatic side vents draw attention to the front fascia, the flanks are soft when parked next to the Civic. In short: the Civic stands out while the Corolla blends in… unless you’re staring at the nose.

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Interior Design

The Civic’s space-age interior design and leather seating surfaces in the EX-L and Touring models deliver the wow factor. While leather upholstery is not offered in the Corolla, there’s more at play and the rear seat is one of its best attributes. The Corolla’s rear seat provides 37.1 inches of head room, 41.4 inches of leg room, 43.9 inches of hip room, and 54.8 inches of shoulder room. By comparison, the Civic provides an identical 37.1 inches of headroom (without a moonroof), 37.4 inches of leg room, 47.3 inches of hip room, and 55.0 inches of shoulder room. The difference in leg room is substantial.

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Cargo Capacity

The Civic edges out the Corolla when it comes to trunk space. All Civic trim levels provide 15.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity (with the exception of the Touring, which provides 14.7 cubic feet) and 60/40 fold-down rear seats. The Corolla provides 13 cubic feet of cargo capacity, along with 60/40 fold down seats to accommodate larger items. While the Corolla can carry four golfers with ease, the golf bags can’t be jumbo sized. If you’re keen on either the Corolla or the Civic and cargo capacity is of primary concern, you’ll want to look into the 5-door hatchback versions.

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Safety Ratings and Technology

The 2017 Corolla sets the bar high, by providing Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) technology as standard equipment on all trim levels. TSS includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. Honda Sensing safety technology is standard on the Civic Touring and offered as a $1000 option on the Civic LX, EX, EX-T, and EX-L models. The package includes road departure mitigation, lane keep assist, collision mitigation braking, and adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the 2016 Honda Civic 4-door coupe as a Top Safety Pick+ when equipped with option front crash prevention.

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Performance

The more powerful 1.5-liter turbocharged engine in the EX-T, EX-L, and Touring models give the Civic the performance edge over the Corolla, although that comes at a cost. The EX-T has a starting MSRP of $21,500. That said, opting for the turbocharged EX-T over the $21,140 EX is a value buy when you consider that the EX-T also adds dual zone HVAC and heated front seats. The turbo Civic is capable of 0-60 MPH times under seven seconds, while the Corolla clocks in at somewhere north of ten seconds. If handling and acceleration are your thing, you’ll choose the turbocharged Civic with the 6-speed manual transmission. While the manual-equipped Corolla SE is enjoyable to drive, the naturally aspirated engine lacks the oomph that performance-minded drivers crave.

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Which is Best

Choosing a winner between the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla comes down to personal preferences. Both cars offer exceptional value, with high levels of reliability and efficiency. The Corolla’s main advantages include the standard suite of safety technology, rear seat legroom, and lower acquisition costs. It’s the value choice of the two. The Civic EX-L, EX-T, and Touring models take the premium road, with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine that delivers a higher level of performance and a leather-appointed interior, along with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Quite simply, the 2017 Civic looks and feels like a more expensive car.

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