2021 Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Corolla Hatchback: duel at the top!

No one can deny that the Honda Civic, which has been in production since 1972, is one of the oldest compact cars. In fact, it is largely responsible for popularizing this segment. Its exceptional longevity can be attributed to its good performance, which has kept on evolving and improving to meet the changing needs of drivers. 

However, Honda is not the only manufacturer to have become an expert over time! As a matter of fact, the Toyota Corolla has been in production since November 1966! And like its rival, the Corolla has perfected its craft over time, making this market segment more competitive than ever. It can be difficult to choose between the two nowadays, especially with their popular hatchback versions. 

What better way to decide which is the better choice than with this 2021 Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Corolla Hatchback matchup! Longueuil Toyota, your reference Toyota dealer on the South Shore of Montreal, tells you why the Toyota compact hatchback is a better choice than its Honda rival. Continue reading to learn more about our 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback comparison!

Exterior style: sharp features for both, but more elegance in the Toyota. 

2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE (top) | 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring (bottom)

The first round of our Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla hatchback matchup compares their exterior design. It’s a fitting starting point since it’s the first thing you will come in contact with, no matter which one you choose!

Both hatchbacks have one thing in common when it comes to their exterior styles: they both feature very sharp lines. However, the similarities end there. What’s more, many think that the designers of the 2021 Civic Hatchback have simply overdone it: it features very pronounced lines, and its muscular appearance makes it look more like a coupe than a compact hatchback. For example, its strongly tapered headlights, its front end with a huge fake air intake with integrated fog lights, very prominent fenders and a very slanted rear window give it a confused look that doesn’t fit either category.

The designers of the Toyota hatchback opted instead to combine the sharp lines with a more rounded body. This combination gives it a unique and very appealing look that will have you smiling from the first glance. With curved headlights with sharp edges, a large grille that expertly combines soft and sharp angles, curved fenders that curve inwards along the sides, boomerang taillights that are full of personality and just the right amount of curvature in the hatchback rear windshield, the 2021 Corolla Hatchback offers the classic, compact hatchback style we love, with an athletic twist. 

So if you're looking for a compact hatchback with a classic and sporty style that never looks out-dated, be sure to check out the 2021 Corolla Hatchback in Boucherville and Brossard, not the 2021 Civic Hatchback.

A powerful engine for the Corolla in Longueuil, which also knows how to be frugal!

2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback XSE 2021 (left) | 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring (right)

The second round of our Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla matchup compares their technical specs. And the scorecards are in: the Honda delivers more power than the Corolla thanks to its turbocharged 1.5 L four-cylinder engine, which delivers 180 hp. The Toyota, for its part, is equipped with a naturally-aspirated 2.0 L four-cylinder engine with 168 hp. 

But is more power always a good thing when it comes to hatchbacks? Not necessarily, and for several reasons. First of all, because these vehicles are designed to deliver an exhilarating driving experience that doesn’t break the bank. And you guessed it: regardless of the transmission you choose for the Honda Civic (available with either a CVT or a 6-speed manual) it is not as fuel-efficient as a Corolla equipped with an automatic transmission. The numbers speak for themselves: the Civic with CVT clocks in with a fuel consumption of 8.0/6.6/7.4 L/100 km (city/highway/combined fuel consumption); the Civic with a manual transmission delivers 8.1/6.4/7.3 L/100 km; and the Corolla CVT beats them both with a consumption of: 7.5/5.8/6.7 L/100 km

The second reason why more power isn’t always better is that your driving experience will change depending on the transmission you choose for the Civic. With the manual transmission, you will enjoy 177 lb-ft of torque. But if you opt for the automatic transmission, while the power remains the same (180 hp), the torque drops drastically to 162 lb-ft to accommodate the CVT. In the case of the Corolla, no matter which transmission you choose, the 2.0L engine always delivers 168 hp and 151 lb-ft of torque! Finally, because the Corolla uses a naturally-aspirated engine, it is more responsive and delivers a more dynamic performance. That’s because the engine is much more responsive at lower revs than the Honda. That’s because the turbo lag on the Honda engine means it takes a long time to deliver its full power.

So if you are looking for an engine that guarantees a great performance while also boasting good fuel efficiency, not to mention being able to deliver all of its power with immediate responsiveness, only the Corolla Hatchback can get it done!

Interior of the Toyota: sturdy and can be very well equipped to make your life easier!

Dashboards : 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback (top) | 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring (bottom)

Book a test drive of the 2021 Corolla Hatchback!

The 2021 Corolla Hatchback has won both rounds against the 2021 Civic Hatchback on the South Shore of Montreal in this fiery Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla matchup. And we could ring the final bell here. However, we would be missing the best part of the Toyota hatchback: its interior! 

Its cabin is a reflection of the manufacturer: serious and well built, using only high quality materials and careful workmanship. Its design also puts a strong focus on ergonomics, ensuring that all of the controls are within easy reach. That’s classic Toyota!

However, what will appeal to you the most is definitely the interior features that the Corolla can be equipped with, such Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, heated front seats, wireless charging for your smartphone, and even a leather steering wheel. Depending on the version you choose, you'll have everything you need, and even more, to make the best out of your daily commute!

Conclusion: the 2021 Corolla Hatchback is THE compact hatchback to choose on the South Shore of Montreal!

2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback Special Edition

Learn more about the 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback...

That's the final verdict following this 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback matchup! With a sharper and more harmonious exterior than the Honda, a powerful engine that delivers the same torque regardless of the transmission you choose, unlike the Civic, while maintaining a very reasonable fuel consumption, not to mention its durable and well-finished interior packed with technology, the Corolla is the only logical choice! That being said, the 2021 Honda Civic Hatchback remains an interesting option.

If you are not convinced yet, there’s no better way to make up your mind than with a visit at Longueuil Toyota, your reference Toyota dealer on the South Shore! Stop by and we'll be happy to answer all your questions. We'll also tell you all about our ongoing Toyota offers and our Toyota leasing/financing plans so you can drive away with your own 2021 Toyota Corolla Hatchback. See you soon at our dealership!

2021 Civic Hatchback VS 2021 Corolla Hatchback: Specs Summary

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