2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class retained its fantastic appearance from the previous year, following a complete makeover that was widely praised. Despite the growing popularity of SUVs, the S-Class continued to stand out as a testament to the enduring appeal of luxury sedans. Its sleek design, characterized by a long distance between the front axle and dashboard, exuded elegance and sophistication. The interior was equally impressive, featuring high-quality materials and a dashboard with a 12.8-inch touchscreen and a separate 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, offering a blend of modern technology and classic luxury.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks amidst a decline in their popularity. Honda's redesign of the Civic hatchback was strategic, with production in Indiana and a design that promised practicality and driving enjoyment. The Civic hatchback shared its front design with the sedan but offered a distinct look from the rear. Inside, the Sport Touring trim provided advanced digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, enhancing its modern appeal. However, some aspects, like the CVT shifter operation, detracted slightly from its overall sophistication.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was designed for both serene commuting and exhilarating weekend drives. The S500 model featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine with EQ Boost, delivering 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque, with an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque from the electric motor. The S580 model boasted a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine. Both models used a nine-speed automatic transmission and standard 4Matic AWD, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds for the S500 and 4.4 seconds for the S580. Despite their weight, the S-Class models offered flat handling and powerful braking, with fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway for the S500 and 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway for the S580.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a choice between a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower. The latter, available in EX-L and Sport Touring trims, provided accessible torque from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a CVT or a six-speed manual transmission option. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, while the manual transmission was praised for its smooth operation. The Civic hatchback delivered a satisfying driving experience, with firm suspension and responsive steering, achieving fuel economy close to EPA estimates of 33 mpg combined for the CVT and 31 mpg for the manual.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class excelled as an executive sedan, offering a spacious and luxurious cabin. It featured powered sun blinds, a Panorama Sunroof, and a 13.8-cubic-foot trunk. The front seats were equipped with heating, ventilation, and massage functions, while the Executive Line package added rear-seat enhancements. The S-Class also included six USB-C ports and a 115-volt power supply in the rear. However, the wide-opening doors could be challenging to close from a seated position, though the soft-close feature mitigated this issue.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback prioritized functionality, with a 24.5-cubic-foot trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat offered a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. The Civic hatchback provided comfortable seating with sufficient legroom, though some passengers noted the lack of a seat-height adjuster and rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the car featured automatic climate control, with dual-zone in higher trims. The EX-L and Sport Touring trims included leather upholstery and heated front seats.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen for the MBUX infotainment system and a 12.3-inch LED virtual instrument panel. Optional features included a 3D instrument cluster and an augmented reality head-up display. The standard Burmester 3D Surround sound system could be upgraded to a 4D system with headrest speakers. The S-Class also featured EQ Boost and rear-axle steering, enhancing its driving dynamics.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in lower trims and a 9-inch display in the Sport Touring trim. The latter included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Civic hatchback addressed previous criticisms by including physical knobs for sound controls and a shelf for touchscreen operation. Digital instrumentation was standard, with a 10.2-inch display in the Sport Touring trim.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was packed with safety features, including Magic Vision Control and a suite of driver assistance systems like adaptive cruise control, active steering assist, and active brake assist. The Pre-Safe systems prepared the car for imminent collisions, and car-to-x communication shared road condition warnings. Rear-passenger airbags and rear-seat belt bags were available for added safety.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with Honda Sensing, offering adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features included Traffic Jam Assist and low-speed following capability. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning systems were available in higher trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, thanks to its advanced safety engineering and new frontal-impact airbags.