Comparison Data
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2025 Honda Civic Sedan Sport Touring
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2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid XSE AWD
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|---|---|
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Engine Displacement
2.0L
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1.8L
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Engine Cylinders
Hybrid I4
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Hybrid I4
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Peak Horsepower
200 net hp
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138 net hp
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Peak Torque
232 net lb-ft
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156 net lb-ft
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Fuel Economy
4.7 / 5.1 / 4.9 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb
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5.0 / 5.7 / 5.3 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb
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Cargo Space
425 L
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368 L
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Base Price
$37,100
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$36,085
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A/C Tax
$100
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$100
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Destination Fee
$1,830
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$1,760
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Price as Tested
$39,330
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$37,945
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Optional Equipment
$300 — Blue Lagoon paint, $300
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None
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Here we go again.
It seems like only yesterday we were pitting hybrid sedans from Honda and Toyota against each other — and that’s because it was. This time the combatants are compact, with the gas-electric versions of the Civic and Corolla going head to head. Sharply dressed inside and out, the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Corolla Hybrid both offer the promise of comfort, efficiency, and long-lasting build quality.
Fuel Economy
Presumably, anyone shopping for a small hybrid sedan puts a fair amount of importance on efficiency. The Civic Hybrid, with its ratings of 4.7 L/100 km in the city, 5.1 on the highway, and 4.9 combined, tops this particular Corolla’s numbers of 5.0 around town, 5.7 on the highway, and 5.3 combined. But there’s a big asterisk to take into account, since the Corolla Hybrid tested here was fitted with all-wheel drive (there’s no all-wheel-drive Civic). Without that extra traction, this Toyota’s numbers drop to 4.4 in the city, 5.1 on the highway, and 4.7 combined.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 9/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 9/10
Power
The Corolla’s meek 138 hp and 156 lb-ft of torque are the apparent sacrifice for efficiency. The 1.8L four-cylinder engine moves the Toyota around effectively if not excitedly.
On the other hand, Honda took a page out of the old hot-rodder’s rule book and fitted the hybrid powertrain from the larger Accord to make this one a properly lively Civic. 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque not only dramatically outmuscle the Corolla, but also the likes of the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, the turbocharged non-hybrid Volkswagen Jetta, and even Honda’s own sportier Civic Si.
In spite of the Civic’s curb weight of 1,492 kg (3,289 lb) that’s about the same as the all-wheel-drive Corolla, which has a whole extra electric motor in the back, it still zips around town briskly and has ample passing power. But unlike some of the turbocharged cars in the compact segment, the power delivery is linear and buttery-smooth.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 8/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 6.5/10
Driving Feel
The smoothness of the Honda’s drivetrain carries over to the rest of the car’s driving dynamics. The Civic has been known as one of the more engaging entries in the segment for generations, and while this newest (and heaviest) version can still carve up corners with precise handling, it’s the way the suspension blends tautness without being harsh that makes it feel more like a premium European sedan than an economy car.
The steering is nicely weighted and lets the driver place the car with accuracy when hustling it around curves, but we’d still love to have more actual feel of what the tires are doing at the pavement level. The brakes offer strong stopping power and a more linear feel than what’s typically associated with the regenerative braking that comes with hybrids like this.
The Corolla manages well enough, too, cornering dutifully but never joyfully or with any sort of sporting pretenses. That’s in spite of its sporty XSE badging. The Corolla Hybrid feels heavier and clumsier than the Civic whether pressed hard for fun, or even just zipping through traffic.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 8.5/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 7/10
Styling
The Corolla’s face features the thinly-sliced LED strips that look like a katana has carved them in place. Its grille follows the current Toyota tradition with a large, protruding frown. The profile, on the other hand, is rather dull and derivative of the last few generations of Corollas, as is the rear end. The deep blue paint on this tester was nicely applied, and in different light would sparkle between dark medium blue hues, and a vibrant purple.
Like the Corolla, the Civic suffers from familiarity due to the sheer number of each generation. Still, neither of them looks like the chintzy econo-boxes they did years ago, instead presenting enough sophistication that there’s no shame in pulling up to a valet in either car.
The smokey blue colour of the Civic seen here, combined with its cleaner front-end styling and attractive new seven-spoke wheels, make us believe it will still look sharp and sophisticated for years to come. Meanwhile, the Corolla’s trendier design elements will likely fade from fashion quicker.
Inside, the Corolla looks and feels plain and a little cheaper than the Civic, whose layout offers nicer material finishes. The honeycomb mesh motif that integrates the vents helps give the Honda a more upscale cockpit.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 8/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 7/10
User-Friendliness
Plain or not, both cars represent a master class of sensible control layout. It’s remarkable how similar the two are in many respects. The shape and thickness of their steering wheels is nearly identical. Both cars offer traditional, easy-to-use gear selectors. They have simple climate control systems that are operated with dials and real buttons. And both have their primary touchscreen infotainment units positioned high on their dashboards, replete with volume knobs in the bottom left corners.
Neither car needs an advanced engineering degree to figure out the way it works, but the Civic’s infotainment system offers bigger, brighter, clearer graphics, and a simpler menu system. The Corolla also has its heated seat buttons stuffed into a dark cave below the dash, and the heated steering wheel button is hidden behind the steering wheel on the left side of the dashboard.
The Civic’s controls are sensibly placed where they can be easily found without the need to look away from the road. And why Toyota continues to insist on an internal button to release the fuel door when nearly every other automaker has more convenient push-to-open units beyond us. Visibility is very good from inside both cars, but the Corolla’s dash rises higher, making the driver feel more confined than in the Civic.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 9/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 8/10
Features
Both testers lined up for this comparison are the most expensive ways the gas-electric Civic and Corolla come. As such, each car is dolled-up with niceties like heated front and rear seats and a heated steering wheel, keyless access, and a sunroof. The Honda’s 12-speaker stereo doesn’t offer appreciably better sound than the Toyota’s mediocre nine-speaker unit, but both have wireless phone chargers. The Civic has dual-zone climate control versus the Corolla’s single-zone system, and it has leather upholstery that, while not particularly supple or decadent, is still fancier than the vinyl and fabric in the Corolla.
Where the Corolla arguably trumps the Civic is in the pair of rear seat USB-C ports, and a huge selling point for many Canadians: its all-wheel drive system.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 7.5/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 8/10
Safety
The feature count continues to the safety suite, too, where again, these two are closely matched in all the key functions buyers expect. Each offers standard adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, traffic sign information display, and automated high beam control. The Civic also includes automated windshield wipers, driver inattention warning, fog lights, and parking sensors front and rear, all of which are absent from the Corolla.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 9/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 8.5/10
Comfort
Both cars have front seats that marry good support with enough suppleness to make them comfy even during long drives. It’s a minor detail, but the Civic’s perforated leather breathes better than the smooth, faux-leather in the Corolla, helping to avoid sweaty backs on hot days.
More importantly, the Civic’s ride is more composed and better manages the potholes so prevalent across this great nation. While front-seat accommodations are close enough in size to not matter, the Civic’s rear seats offer a bit more leg- and shoulder room, making it feel less confining.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 8/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 7/10
Practicality
While neither of these cars offer the perceived practicality of their equivalent crossover siblings the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, the reality is their passenger space is quite practical and each has a usable trunk. However, the Corolla’s cargo hold measures a modest 368 L versus the Civic’s 425 L. Both cars have split-folding rear seats that improve their capacities.
Honda Civic Hybrid: 7.5/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 7/10
Value
The top-of-the-line Corolla Hybrid XSE’s pre-tax selling price of $37,845 is strikingly similar to the Civic Sport Touring Hybrid’s $38,930 price tag. But then the Civic’s greater refinement, performance, and space go a long way towards making it a better value.
Civic Hybrid: 9/10; Toyota Corolla Hybrid: 8/10
The Verdict
While the availability of all-wheel drive makes the Toyota Corolla Hybrid a unique offering in the compact sedan segment, it’s a feature we’d happily forego to have the Honda Civic Hybrid’s better comfort, performance, efficiency, and usable space. Not only is the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid the better choice, it’s simply a brilliant car all-around.
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