Are you looking to purchase a new compact car but not sure which popular vehicle is the best when it comes to performance, safety, and advanced features? Well, we’re here to help! We’re comparing the 2019 Honda Civic vs. 2019 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2019 Toyota Corolla here today to show you what each vehicle offers, and which car stands out from the others. All three are the best-selling cars in their class, known for affordability, safety, and incredible reliability.
The Look and Feel
If you’re looking for a sleek and sporty exterior, the new 2019 Honda Civic does not disappoint. Featuring a low wide stance with contoured lines, sporty 18-inch wheels, a centre exhaust, a one-touch moonroof, and an LED light system on all trim levels, it’s one extremely stylish performance vehicle. You’ll also find premium design features in the interior that create an upscale, luxury cabin. Drivers can enjoy a multitude of features such as an 8-way power driver’s seat, comfortable soft leather fabrics, race-inspired sports gauges, sporty aluminum pedals with rubber grips, and a leather-wrapped wheel and shift knob. The Honda also features a Driver Information Interface with a 7” full-colour display.
Toyota Corolla is one of the best-selling economic level sedans for decades and is known for its reliability and versatility. However, many of the helpful technology and design options cannot be found with the Toyota Corolla or the Hyundai Elantra. Instead, they utilize more plastic materials throughout the interior, along with 17-inch wheels, a 3.5” full-colour display, and a 4.2” multi-information display. Both of these competitors have more of a conventional design both inside and out, and cost much more to get many of the standard features that are found with the Honda Civic, such as LED taillights, Infotainment displays, like the Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and even a wireless phone charger. Compared to its rivals, the Honda is hard to beat and proves to live up to its reputation in this department.
The Overall Performance
If you want a compact car that has some serious power behind it, the Civic tops out at 158 hp and 138lb.-ft. of torque, thanks to a VTEC® 4-cylinder engine. Compare that to the 147 hp, 132lb.-ft. Elantra or the 132 hp and 128 lb.-ft. Corolla – there’s really no comparison. The bottom line is the Honda Civic is one fast car. It’s also more energy-efficient and offers better overall transmission. The Elantra provides only a 6-speed automatic transmission at its Luxury level.
Meanwhile, you’ll have to upgrade to the Corolla’s SE CVT with XSE package to get the same level of features as the Civic, like the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) that improves overall driving performance. The Civic also comes with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and a G-Design shift logic that you won’t find on the other models’ standard options, if at all. All three cars are incredibly safe and make for perfect family sedans, let alone fuel-efficiency and a smooth drive. The Civic has more power, better pick up and faster acceleration than the Elantra and Corolla.
Safety
When it comes to safety, all three cars offer the newest technology and a suite of safety features on their standard models. However, the Civic once again, tops out with a few extra perks, like the Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) and Collision Mitigation Braking System™ CMBS. Drivers also can benefit from the multi-angle rear-view camera that pivots based on the steering-wheel angle, creating a more comfortable observation of those hard-to-see areas. Compare that to the Elantra and Corolla which have a standard rear-view camera but no multi-angle capability.
The Civic also offers the LaneWatch™ system – a passenger-side camera that’s mounted on the mirror to display those awkward areas too – how’s that for safety? Two other features not found on the other cars are Straight Driving Assist and Agile Handling Assist. These create a better turn response by applying more braking pressure to the inside wheels. Combine that with the Variable-Ratio steering feature that adjusts the amount of assist based on driver’s steering input, and you get enhanced steering and manoeuvrability, no matter what the road conditions are like. Other features worth mentioning on the Civic include the Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) that comes standard, the speed-sensing variable intermittent window wipers, and strategically mounted paddle shifters that don’t require the driver to remove their hands from the steering wheel to shift. Honda has really thought of everything when it comes to keeping you and your passengers safe.
Cargo Space
If there’s one thing that buyers often worry about when choosing a compact car, it’s whether or not it will have enough space to fit their cargo. Whether you need to transport gear for work or just need some space for your luggage, you won’t have to worry about cramming your items in the Civic. Beyond the multiple smart compartments that are included in the design, it also has plenty of cargo volume available at 428L. Compare that to the 407L with the Elantra and 360L with the Corolla, and the choice is obvious.
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck between the 2019 Honda Civic vs. 2019 Hyundai Elantra vs. 2019 Toyota Corolla – the Civic wins, hands down. It has a sleeker, sportier look both inside and out, in addition to more power, better handling, advanced safety features, and it offers more convenience for both you and your passengers. But don’t just take our word for it, come visit us at Barrhaven Honda to test drive one for yourself to see exactly what we mean!