2019 Honda Civic vs 2020 Toyota Camry

The 2019 Honda Civic, while not as stylish as the 2019 Mazda3, still offered a unique upscale style with its gloss-black upper grille, revised lower bumper, and larger 18-inch wheels. Its silhouette was graceful, reminiscent of an Audi A7, with a long hood balancing a sizable cabin and short tail featuring distinctive wraparound LED lights. The Touring-trim model boasted chrome door handles and LED headlights that resembled tiny crystals. The new Sport trim added a center-mounted exhaust and exterior flair similar to the performance-oriented Si trim. The Civic Hatchback, with its tall and aggressive rear end, and the Coupe model, offered unique paint options that stood out in traffic. The interior maintained a high-tech yet simplified theme with a central LCD screen, minimal buttons, and high-quality fit and finish, despite some hard plastic surfaces in the rear doors.

The 2020 Toyota Camry marked a return to form with a renewed attention to detail, elevating its quality and appeal. Its styling was expressive, with a bold front fascia and taut lines, making it the sportiest Camry yet. Design cues borrowed from BMW added to its allure, and with 14 exterior color options, it aimed to be fashionable. Inside, the Camry used uniformly nice materials, with a driver-focused dashboard that made even the lower trims feel upscale. The TRD model featured red trim accents, including bright red seatbelts, adding a sporty touch. While not a luxury car, the Camry's top trims offered leather and wood that rivaled entry-level Lexus models, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a balance of sportiness and comfort.

The 2019 Honda Civic offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, available with a 6-speed manual transmission. The EX and above trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with 174 hp and 162 lb-ft, paired with a CVT. The hatchback exclusively used the turbo engine, making 180 hp in the Hatchback Sport. The Si and Type R models offered more power, with the Si's 1.5-liter engine producing 205 hp and the Type R's 2.0-liter engine delivering 306 hp. The Civic's engines were smooth and refined, with the turbo engine providing better mid-range acceleration. The manual transmissions were praised for their feel, while the CVT impressed with its simulated gear ratios. The Civic's handling was superb, with excellent steering feel, a well-tuned suspension, and strong brakes, making it a joy to drive.

The 2020 Toyota Camry offered four distinct powertrains, including a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD, a 3.5-liter V6, and a hybrid powertrain. The V6 produced 301 horsepower and was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, providing a smooth and powerful driving experience. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine made 203 hp (206 in XSE trim) and was lighter, offering a more engaging drive in the sporty XSE trim. The TRD model featured a specially tuned suspension, beefed-up brakes, and high-performance tires, though its ride was firmer than typical Camry models. The AWD system, similar to that in the RAV4, provided added traction without significantly impacting fuel economy. The Camry's fuel economy ratings were competitive, with the FWD four-cylinder achieving 31 mpg combined and the V6 managing 26 mpg.

The 2019 Honda Civic's interior featured a touchscreen with a volume knob and shortcut buttons, improving usability. The three-spoke steering wheel controlled the central display, offering quick access to various functions. The rear seat was surprisingly roomy, with optional heated outboard seats, though lacking air vents. Cargo space was generous, with the sedan offering 15.1 cubic feet (14.7 in Touring trim), the coupe 11.9 to 12.1 cubic feet, and the hatchback up to 46.2 cubic feet with seats folded. The center console provided ample storage, and visibility was good in all directions.

The 2020 Toyota Camry was easy to drive, with most controls conveniently placed. The front seats offered increased legroom and hip room, while the rear seat had slightly reduced legroom and passenger volume. The trunk, at 15.1 cubic feet, was comparable to the Civic's. The addition of AWD did not compromise interior space, though it required modifications to the floor structure and fuel tank. The Camry's interior was functional, with a center console housing the shifter, cupholders, and storage bin.

The 2019 Honda Civic's infotainment system, while dated, offered standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Garmin-based navigation system was a standout, with better graphics and voice input. The 450-watt, 10-speaker stereo was improved, and Honda's LaneWatch provided a live feed of the blind spot.

The 2020 Toyota Camry added Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility, alongside Apple CarPlay. The standard infotainment system felt dated, but the touchscreen was responsive and ergonomic. The standard 7-inch screen could be upgraded to 8 inches, and a three-month trial of WiFi Connect was included. Higher trims offered a 7-inch multi-information display and an optional 10-inch head-up display.

The 2019 Honda Civic featured Honda Sensing on most trims, with forward-collision alert, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The IIHS rated it highly for crash prevention, and the NHTSA awarded it five stars in most categories.

The 2020 Toyota Camry included Toyota Safety Sense, with emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning. A one-year trial of Safety Connect was included, and blind-spot monitoring was optional. The NHTSA gave it a five-star rating, and the IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick+.