Honda Civic Hatchback vs Competitors
Overview
Looking for a vehicle that blends the practicality of a conventional sedan with the versatility of a crossover? Then you’d do well to consider a hatchback. Vehicles with this body style are basically five-door sedans. They work well for many people – especially those who live in urban areas – because they’re easier to maneuver around busy street corners and park in tight spots, yet they can hold a bit more in the back than a comparably sized sedan can fit in its trunk.
Decades into its existence, it’s not surprising that the Honda Civic Hatchback remains a strong seller. The 2020 edition shows off updated front and rear styling that make it clear that this is a fun car and not just a sensible one. But while the 2020 Civic Hatchback is clearly one of the most sought-after models in its class, it must compete with the hatchback versions of the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra GT, Subaru Impreza, and Mazda3. Let’s look at exactly how the Civic outdoes its rivals in a few crucial characteristics.
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Performance and Engineering
The Civic makes its mark on this segment with its quick and peppy engine. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 174 horsepower on three of its five trims and 180 hp on its Sport and Sport Touring trims, which are engineered for more performance. Those power numbers beat the engines of the Impreza (152 hp), Elantra GT (161 hp), and Corolla (169 hp) hatchbacks, and while the Mazda3 gets a slightly higher kick in acceleration, it lacks the Civic’s fuel efficiency. With its EPA-estimated 31 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, gas station trips will be less frequent compared to the Impreza (24 city/31 highway) and Mazda3 (26 city/35 highway).
What’s more, the Civic Hatchback also includes a standard rear stabilizer bar with its base trim, unlike the Impreza, Elantra GT, and Mazda3. This feature reduces body roll at the vehicle’s rear to limit instability, adding to the car’s performance factor.
Specifications and Convenience
The Civic is one of the most accommodating hatchbacks in its class, with 25.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat. The Corolla (17.8 cu. ft.), Mazda3 (20.1 cu. ft.), Impreza (20.8 cu. ft.), and Elantra GT (24.9 cu. ft.) hatchbacks can’t hold quite as much. Additionally, occupants will have plenty of room to spread out as a result of the Civic’s’ 97.2 cu. ft. of total passenger volume, while the Corolla (84.6 cu. ft.), Mazda3 (92.7 cu. ft.), and Elantra GT (96.5 cu. ft.) are a bit more compact. The Impreza offers more space with 100.9 cu. ft., but it lacks useful standard features such as automatic climate control and fog lights on its base trim (which the base Corolla and Mazda3 lack as well).