Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
Compact Comparo
Antony Ingram
0 Jun 19, 2012
Follow Antony
Other cars may steal the headlines, but the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have spent plenty of time in
the best-sellers lists.
That's because each offers a wide range of talents to a wide range of individuals and families. They may
lack the excitement of other models, but if you want a safe, comfortable, cheap-to-run four-door sedan,
one or the other is probably near the top of your shopping list.
With the Corolla rapidly ageing and the Honda relatively new to the market, which is most relevant to the
cost-conscious buyer?
Read our reviews of the 2012 Honda Civic and 2012 Toyota Corolla
Gas mileage
There was a time when the Civic and Corolla were among the most economical cars on the market.
Indeed, it was Honda that really made the first move in the 1970s, launching its Civic into a market winded
by the fuel crisis. With 30 mpg--and even 40 mpg, if driven carefully--it was comfortably two or three
times more economical than many of the other popular cars of the day.
The Civic is still efficient now, though it's the hybrid version you really want if gas mileage and low
emissions are a concern. For those who can't stretch to the 44 mpg, $24,050 hybrid (and don't want to
buy used), a regular, 5-speed manual transmission Civic with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine can be had for
$15,755, and it'll do 31 mpg combined.
Add a little more green from your wallet for the auto transmission and you get a little more green at the
pumps, with 32 mpg combined and 39 highway.
Either way, the Civic out-punches the Corolla. With a manual transmission, the $16,130, 132-horsepower
Corolla manages 30 mpg combined, and 34 highway.
You also spend extra to get less with the auto, which can only reach 29 mpg combined. Still, both
automatic Civic and Corolla are rated at around 33 mpg by drivers entering real-world figures on the EPA's
fueleconomy.gov website.
Side-by-side
In other respects, both cars are quite similar. Familiarity may have bred contempt with the Corolla's
styling, and being very kind we could describe it as "inoffensive".
The Civic looks a little more sleek and modern, though again it's nothing particularly special to behold. It's
a similar story on the inside, though here the Civic has more of an advantage, with its dual-level
instruments and high-tech feel. Unfortunately, the plastics themselves err on the 99c-store kid's toy side
of nasty, so it's better to look at than it is to touch.
2011 Toyota Corolla
The Corolla is to exciting interior design as a barn is to the Louvre, but it's comfortable at least and if you
avoid the base model, the equipment levels are good.
Interior space is similar in each. The Civic offers 3 cubic feet extra space inside, at 95 cu. ft, and each has 12
cubic feet of trunk space.
Both should prove reliable too--these are cars renowned for going on and on, so they'll get you there
even if they don't entertain on the way. When we reviewed the Corolla we described its handling as
"somewhere between inoffensive and soggy". The Civic fares better, its handling described as
"rewarding". Both manage to ride well, so neither will be uncomfortable on longer drives.
Conclusion
Choosing between Civic and Corolla is unlikely to be one of the most exciting decisions of your life, but
both are worthy options in the compact class. Both have a talent for meeting the needs of buyers
unconcerned by such niceties as style and image, while costing relatively little to buy and run.
You'll get greater gas mileage from each maker's hybrid cars--Honda offers the Civic Hybrid and Insight in
that class, Toyota fields the slightly larger Prius--but with the reassurance of new-car warranties the low
MSRPs of each car combined with 30 mpg-plus economy makes them good choices.
The Civic is more talented all-round, but you can be sure that Toyota will up the game another step with
its next Corolla.
+++++++++++
Model Compare
Comparing the "2012 Honda Civic" and "2012 Toyota Corolla"
Add Another Car
Share
Remove
Remove
2012 Honda Civic
DX 2dr Coupe
L 4dr Sedan
Customize Your Comparison
Overview
MSRP
$15,755
$16,130
MPG (Combined)
33
30
Engine
Transmission
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
Seats
Consumer Rating
4.5
<a href="/research/honda-civic-2012/consumer-reviews/">Consumer Reviews For honda civic 2012</a>
4.5
<a href="/research/toyota-corolla-2012/consumer-reviews/">Consumer Reviews For toyota corolla 2012</a>
Pricing
List Price
$16,545
$16,925
MSRP
$15,755
$16,130
Invoice Price
$14,660
$15,243
Destination Charge
$790
$795
Fuel Economy
Combined MPG
33
30
City MPG
28
27
Highway MPG
39
34
Convenience
Cruise Control
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Compass
Not available
Available
Not available
Urethane
Urethane
Metal-look
Urethane
Standard
Standard
Clock
Not available
In-dash
Standard
Standard
Dome Light
Fade
Fade
Glovebox Light
Not available
Not available
Map Light
Not available
Front
Cargo Light
Standard
Standard
Cupholders
Front
Not available
Not available
Voice Recorder
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
Day-night
Standard
Standard
Floor Mats
USB Ports
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Proximity Key
Not available
Not available
Specifications
Length
175.5 "
180.0 "
Wheelbase
103.2 "
102.4 "
Front Track
59.0 "
60.2 "
Rear Track
59.9 "
60.4 "
Width
69.0 "
69.4 "
Turning Radius
17.7 '
17.7 '
Height
55.0 "
57.7 "
Horsepower
140 @ 6,500 rpm
Torque
13.2 gal.
13.2 gal.
Drag Coefficient
Not available
.29
Curb Weight
2,597 lbs.
2,734 lbs.
Not available
3,836 lbs.
Not available
1,500 lbs.
Passenger Volume
83 cu.ft.
92 cu.ft.
Front Legroom
42.2 "
41.7 "
Front Headroom
38.1 "
38.8 "
53.2 "
53.0 "
55.1 "
54.8 "
Rear Legroom
30.8 "
36.3 "
Rear Headroom
34.3 "
37.2 "
49.0 "
43.9 "
52.2 "
54.6 "
11.7 cu.ft.
12.3 cu.ft.
11.7 cu.ft.
12.3 cu.ft.
Not available
Not available
11.7 cu.ft.
12.3 cu.ft.
Our Company
About Cars.com
Investor Relations
Contact Cars.com
Mobile Apps
Site Map
Careers
Fraud Awareness
Licensing & Reprints
Find a Car
Certified Pre-Owned
Sell Your Car
Car Book Values
Car Dealers
Compare Car Prices
Listings by City