Which Is Better: Honda Civic Vs. Toyota Corolla?
When shopping for a new compact sedan, drivers often find themselves comparing the Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla. Both of these cars have modern styling, advanced technology, and comfortable interiors. So, which is best for you? We will let you decide for yourself. Dive into the differences and similarities between the 2026 Civic and 2026 Corolla in this guide from the team at Muller Honda of Gurnee.
2026 Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla at a Glance
- The Honda Civic renders higher performance ratings than the Toyota Corolla overall; it is also the only one to offer available AWD
- The Civic is longer and wider than the Corolla, and it boasts more passenger and cargo volume
- While both compact cars come with an array of amenities, the Civic has more impressive offerings, such as leather-trimmed seating and Alexa® Built-In
- Safety is similar between the Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla, but the Civic pulls ahead with additional features
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla Performance
The 2026 Honda Civic comes standard with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, making 150 horsepower and 133 pound-feet of torque. This sedan delivers even more with its hybrid variant, resulting in 200 total system horsepower. The 2026 Toyota Corolla also features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which puts out a slightly higher 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. However, the Corolla Hybrid has less oomph, with just 138 horsepower combined.
Both gasoline-powered vehicles are configured with a continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive. The Civic has the leg up with its hybrid model, as it also offers all-wheel drive as an option.
If you want a little more bang for your buck, the 2026 Honda Civic performance edges out that of the Corolla.
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla MPG
What about the MPG ratings between the 2026 Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla? The Corolla gets up to an EPA-estimated 32/41/35 MPG (City/Highway/Combined),1 while the Civic boasts a very similar but slightly elevated EPA-estimated maximum of 32/41/36 MPG (City/Highway/Combined).2
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla Dimensions
As both are compact sedans, the Civic and Corolla have a similar outer stature and can seat five people comfortably inside. The Honda sedan is 184.8 inches long, 55.7 inches tall, and 70.9 inches wide, while the Toyota car is 182.5 inches long, 56.5 inches tall, and 70.1 inches wide.
These variances in measurements continue into the cabins. The Civic is larger overall, featuring 99 cubic feet of passenger volume and 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space. Meanwhile, the Corolla struggles to keep up, as it has just 88.6 cubic feet of passenger volume and 13.1 cubic feet of cargo room.
For more context, let's review the specific interior dimensions. The 2026 Civic boasts 39.3 inches of front headroom and 42.3 inches of front legroom. In the rear row, friends and family get 37.1 inches of headroom and 37.4 inches of legroom.
The 2026 Corolla has 38.3 inches of front headroom (without a moonroof) and 42 inches of front legroom, less than what the Civic offers. In addition, you can find 37.1 inches of rear headroom and just 34.8 inches of legroom in the back.
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla Convenience & Technology
In the Civic, you will have no shortage of features at your fingertips to make each ride pleasant. While the 2026 Honda Civic and 2026 Toyota Corolla offer similar amenities as standard, such as a folding rear seat, illuminated steering wheel controls, a 7-inch gauge cluster, and automatic climate control, the Civic comes out ahead in a few key areas.
For instance, the 2026 Civic gasoline and hybrid lineup boasts available features like leather-trimmed seating, Alexa® Built-In and Google Built-In, a 12-speaker Bose® audio system, and sport pedals. The 2026 Corolla, however, does not offer leather-trimmed upholstery, Alexa® Built-In or Google Built-In, or sport pedals in any gasoline or hybrid trim level. Additionally, its number of speakers only goes up to nine with the available JBL® audio system. Not to mention, the Civic comes standard with a cargo area light, which is not offered at all in the Corolla.
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla Safety
The 2026 Honda Civic will put you at ease when you discover its range of driver-assist features. These elements can help lower the chances of collisions and even minimize or eliminate the risk of injuries. Every model in the new Honda Civic inventory comes with the following via the Honda Sensing suite:
- Lane Keeping Assist
- Forward Collision Warning
- Lane Departure Warning
- Traffic Jam Assist
- Collision Mitigation Braking
- Road Departure Mitigation
- Auto High Beams
- Traffic Sign Recognition System
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow
Available safety features of the Civic include available Low-Speed Braking Control and a Blind-Spot Information System.
The new 2026 Corolla has its own safety suite: Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. However, it lacks in comparison to the Civic. It fails to offer a Forward Collision Warning and Traffic Jam Assist, and it doesn't have a Low-Speed Braking Control function available. And, as we mentioned earlier, only the Honda Civic features available all-wheel drive. When we look at the safety technology between the Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla, the Civic reigns superior.
Visit Muller Honda of Gurnee To Secure Your 2026 Civic
After comparing the Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla, it's pretty clear that the 2026 Civic has more to offer in several categories. If you'd like to take the next step in upgrading to this sedan or another Honda model within our inventory, ask us about our new vehicle specials to make it even more affordable.
Are you keeping your options open? Continue your research as you review our comparison between the Honda CR-V vs. Toyota RAV4. We are here to assist you in finding the ideal vehicle for you and your lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Honda Civic safer than a Toyota Corolla?
The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla come standard with similar safety features via their respective driver-assist suites. However, the 2026 Civic offers additional technologies that can give you more peace of mind on the road. For instance, the 2026 Corolla does not have Traffic Jam Assist or Low-Speed Braking Control available in any trim, which are both found in the Civic.
Which is better: the Civic or Corolla?
The better model depends on what is most important to you in a car. If you want the sedan with better performance overall, a roomier interior, and more impressive features, choose the Civic. As we have seen in our Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla comparison, while the Corolla has its strengths, it ultimately falls short when pinned against the Civic.
Is the Honda Civic more reliable than the Toyota Corolla?
The Honda and Toyota brands are both known for their reliable vehicles, including the 2026 Civic and 2026 Corolla. According to RepairPal, both receive an "Excellent" 4.5/5 reliability score.3,4 You can get the most out of any car by keeping up with routine maintenance appointments at a certified service center, like the one here at Muller Honda of Gurnee.
Continue Your Honda Research
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1Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary for many reasons, including your vehicle's condition and how/where you drive.
2Based on 2026 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your mileage will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, and other factors.
3Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://repairpal.com/reliability/honda/civic.
4Reference to this third-party claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For details regarding this rating, visit https://repairpal.com/reliability/toyota/corolla.