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Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla 2025: Performance & Cost

The Honda Civic offers sportier performance and more modern styling with a 180 hp turbocharged engine, while the Toyota Corolla prioritizes fuel efficiency and legendary reliability with a 168 hp naturally aspirated engine and lower maintenance costs. The Civic appeals to driving enthusiasts, whereas the Corolla targets practical, long-term value seekers.

Honda Civic

Honda Civic

Compact sedan with turbocharged engine and sporty handling known for driving engagement.

Drivers aged 25-45 who value performance, modern tech, and driving enjoyment over fuel economy and lowest cost.

Score63%
VS
Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

Compact sedan focused on reliability, efficiency, and affordable long-term ownership.

Practical, value-conscious buyers aged 45+ who drive 10,000-15,000 miles annually and prioritize reliability, fuel economy, and resale value.

Score63%

Quick Answer

AI Summary

The Honda Civic offers sportier performance and more modern styling with a 180 hp turbocharged engine, while the Toyota Corolla prioritizes fuel efficiency and legendary reliability with a 168 hp naturally aspirated engine and lower maintenance costs. The Civic appeals to driving enthusiasts, whereas the Corolla targets practical, long-term value seekers.

Our Verdict

AI-assisted

Choose the Honda Civic if you prioritize driving dynamics, modern technology, turbocharged performance, and a sportier design—it's ideal for younger drivers and enthusiasts who appreciate responsive handling. Choose the Toyota Corolla if you value fuel efficiency, legendary reliability, lower total cost of ownership, and minimal maintenance hassles—it's perfect for practical buyers seeking long-term dependability and resale value.

Community feedback

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Honda Civic
6.2/10
Toyota Corolla
8.8/10
Honda Civic

Choose Honda Civic if

Drivers aged 25-45 who value performance, modern tech, and driving enjoyment over fuel economy and lowest cost.

Toyota Corolla

Choose Toyota Corolla if

Best pick

Practical, value-conscious buyers aged 45+ who drive 10,000-15,000 miles annually and prioritize reliability, fuel economy, and resale value.

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Key Differences at a Glance

  • Engine Power & Type:Honda Civic wins(180 hp turbocharged 1.5L vs 168 hp naturally aspirated 2.0L)
  • 0-60 mph Acceleration:Honda Civic wins(8.3 seconds vs 8.9 seconds)
  • EPA Combined Fuel Economy:Toyota Corolla wins(34 mpg vs 32 mpg)
See all 7 differences

Key Facts & Figures

22 numeric metrics compared

MetricHonda CivicToyota CorollaRatio
Engine Power(hp)174 hp (1.5L turbocharged)169 hp (1.8L naturally aspirated)
Starting MSRP(USD)$28,550$27,650
5-Year Resale Value Retention(percent)54%58%
Cargo Space(cubic feet)12.3 cu ft13.1 cu ft
J.D. Power Reliability Rating(score out of 100)4.2 / 585/100
Infotainment Screen Size(inches)7 inch10.5 inches
Engine Horsepower(hp)180 hp
Highway Fuel Economy(MPG)33 mpg
Trunk Capacity(cubic feet)14.3 cu ft
Base Model MSRP(USD)$28,000
Warranty Period(years)3 years
Engine Torque(lb-ft)192 lb-ft
Combined Fuel Economy(mpg)28 mpg33 mpg
Starting MSRP (2026)(USD)$29,450
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership(USD)$32,200$31,400
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (CVT/Auto)(mpg)33 mpg
0-60 Acceleration (Manual Transmission)(seconds)7.9 seconds
Engine Power Output(hp)180 hp turbocharged168 hp naturally aspirated
0-60 mph Acceleration(seconds)8.3 seconds8.9 seconds
EPA Combined Fuel Economy(mpg)32 mpg34 mpg
Starting Price (2025 Model)(USD)$28,455$27,550
JD Power Customer Satisfaction(score (0-100))82/10084/100

Sourced from publicly available data ·

Key Differences

7 attributes compared head-to-head

Honda Civic
2Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla leads1 tie
Toyota Corolla
4Toyota Corolla
  • Engine Power & Type

    Honda Civic

    180 hp turbocharged 1.5L(winner)

    Toyota Corolla

    168 hp naturally aspirated 2.0L

  • 0-60 mph Acceleration

    Honda Civic

    8.3 seconds(winner)

    Toyota Corolla

    8.9 seconds

  • EPA Combined Fuel Economy

    Honda Civic

    32 mpg

    Toyota Corolla

    34 mpg(winner)

  • Starting Price (2024-2025 Model)

    Honda Civic

    $28,455

    Toyota Corolla

    $27,550(winner)

  • Warranty Coverage (Bumper-to-Bumper)

    Honda Civic

    3 years/36,000 miles

    Toyota Corolla

    3 years/36,000 miles

  • 5-Year Cost of Ownership (avg)

    Honda Civic

    $32,200

    Toyota Corolla

    $31,400(winner)

  • Customer Satisfaction Rating (JD Power)

    Honda Civic

    82/100

    Toyota Corolla

    84/100(winner)

Full Comparison

Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Engine Power(hp)
174 hp (1.5L turbocharged)
169 hp (1.8L naturally aspirated)
Engine Horsepower(hp)
180 hp
Engine Torque(lb-ft)
192 lb-ft
EPA Combined Fuel Economy (CVT/Auto)(mpg)
33 mpg
0-60 Acceleration (Manual Transmission)(seconds)
7.9 seconds
Show 2 more attributes
Engine Power Output(hp)
180 hp turbocharged
168 hp naturally aspirated
0-60 mph Acceleration(seconds)
8.3 seconds
8.9 seconds
Starting MSRP(USD)
$28,550
$27,650
Base Model MSRP(USD)
$28,000
Starting MSRP (2026)(USD)
$29,450
5-Year Resale Value Retention(percent)
54%
58%
Cargo Space(cubic feet)
12.3 cu ft
13.1 cu ft
J.D. Power Reliability Rating(score out of 100)
4.2 / 5
85/100
Infotainment Screen Size(inches)
7 inch
10.5 inches
Manual Transmission Availability
Yes (6-speed)
No (CVT only)
Highway Fuel Economy(MPG)
33 mpg
Combined Fuel Economy(mpg)
28 mpg
33 mpg
EPA Combined Fuel Economy(mpg)
32 mpg
34 mpg
Trunk Capacity(cubic feet)
14.3 cu ft
Warranty Period(years)
3 years
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership(USD)
$32,200
$31,400
Starting Price (2025 Model)(USD)
$28,455
$27,550
Powertrain Warranty(years/miles)
5 / 60,000
Warranty Coverage (Basic)(months/miles)
36 months / 36,000 miles
36 months / 36,000 miles
JD Power Customer Satisfaction(score (0-100))
82/100
84/100

Pros & Cons

10 pros·6 cons across both

Honda Civic
Toyota Corolla
Honda Civic

Honda Civic

+5-3

Pros

  • 180 hp turbocharged engine delivers 8.3-second 0-60 time
  • Available Honda Sensing 360 with advanced driver aids and front/rear cameras
  • More engaging steering and handling dynamics for spirited driving
  • Modern infotainment with 7-inch or 9-inch touchscreen with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto
  • Sportier exterior design appeals to younger demographics

Cons

  • Lower fuel economy at 32 mpg combined vs competitor's 34 mpg
  • Higher starting price of $28,455 ($905 more than Corolla)
  • Turbo engine requires premium fuel, increasing fuel costs by 8-12%
Toyota Corolla

Toyota Corolla

+5-3

Pros

  • Exceptional fuel economy at 34 mpg combined, saving ~$600/year in fuel costs
  • Lowest starting price at $27,550 with 3-year payment advantage
  • Industry-leading reliability with average ownership cost $800 lower over 5 years
  • Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ includes pre-collision warning and dynamic radar cruise control
  • Superior resale value retention at 58% vs Civic's 54% after 5 years

Cons

  • Less powerful naturally aspirated engine with 8.9-second 0-60 time (0.6 seconds slower)
  • More conservative interior design may feel dated to younger buyers
  • Quieter, less engaging driving experience compared to Civic's sportier dynamics

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

  1. The Toyota Corolla has a slight edge in long-term reliability. Toyota's naturally aspirated engines have fewer complex parts than the Civic's turbocharged engine, resulting in lower maintenance costs. The Corolla scores 84/100 on JD Power's Customer Satisfaction Index vs the Civic's 82/100. However, both are considered reliable vehicles with strong track records.

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