Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2014 Honda Civic VS 2014 Toyota Corolla Near Scottsdale, AZ

The Civic’s blind spot mirrors use wide-angle convex mirrors mounted in the corner of each side view mirror to reveal objects that may be in the driver’s blind spots. The Corolla doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

Both the Civic and the Corolla have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front-wheel drive, plastic fuel tanks, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Honda Civic is safer than the Toyota Corolla:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Honda Civic Sedan is safer than the Corolla:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Honda Civic is safer than the Toyota Corolla:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

For its top level performance in all IIHS frontal, side, rear impact and roof-crush tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety rates the Civic as a “Top Pick” for 2014, a rating only granted to 10 small cars vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Corolla is not a “Top Pick” for 2014.

The engine in the Civic has a single overhead cam for simplicity. The engines in the Corolla have dual overhead cams, which add to the number of moving parts and the complexity of the cylinder heads.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Civic first among compact cars in their 2013 Initial Quality Study. The Corolla isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Civic’s 1.8 VTEC 4 cyl. produces 11 more horsepower (143 vs. 132) and 1 lbs.-ft. more torque (129 vs. 128) than the Corolla L/LE/S’ standard 1.8 DOHC 4 cyl. The Civic’s 1.8 VTEC 4 cyl. produces 3 more horsepower (143 vs. 140) and 3 lbs.-ft. more torque (129 vs. 126) than the Corolla LE Eco’s standard 1.8 DOHC 4 cyl.

As tested in Motor Trend the Honda Civic is faster than the Toyota Corolla (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Civic Auto gets better fuel mileage than the Corolla L/LE/S Auto (30 city/39 hwy vs. 29 city/38 hwy).

For better stopping power the Civic EX’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the Corolla:

The Civic stops shorter than the Corolla:

For superior ride and handling, the Honda Civic has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Toyota Corolla has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Civic has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Corolla doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

The Civic Sedan is 3.2 inches shorter than the Corolla, making the Civic easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Civic Sedan has .7 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front shoulder room and 7.5 inches more rear hip room than the Corolla.

With its coupe or sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Civic offers cargo security. The Corolla’s non-lockable folding seat defeats cargo security.

The Civic Automatic offers a remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The Corolla doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The Civic EX/EX-L has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Corolla doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

The Civic EX/EX-L has a standard center folding armrest for the rear passengers. A center armrest helps make rear passengers more comfortable. The Corolla doesn’t offer a rear seat center armrest.

The Honda Civic has won recognition from these important consumer publications:

Motor Trend selected the Civic as their 2006 Car of the Year. The Corolla has never been chosen.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Civic as the 2006 North American Car of the Year. The Corolla has never been chosen.

The Honda Civic outsold the Toyota Corolla/Matrix by 11% during 2013.