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Last year we compared the just-introduced 2014 Toyota Corolla against the revised 2013 Honda Civic. Synonymous with value-packed motoring, these two compact cars are the top sellers in the segment thanks to a reputation for giving customers exactly what they want.

After the launch of the 2012 Honda Civic, consumers, dealers and the automotive press panned the car for not being the class leader it had once been. Knowing that Toyota was about to launch an all-new Corolla for the 2014 model year, Honda quickly updated the Civic for 2013 and addressed many of its shortcomings.



Back to Drawing Board, Again

2014 Honda Civic interior 7
But that didn’t matter very much because the new Corolla still beat the 2013 Civic in AutoGuide.com's comparison test last year. Our main complaints with the Civic were its small back seat, comparatively poor fuel economy, higher price tag and unrefined five-speed automatic. Not happy with being second best, Honda went back to the drawing board once again and for 2014, is introducing an unprecedented third straight year of significant revisions to the Civic.

The interior is tweaked once again with new styling and the addition of an available seven-inch Display Audio system, Honda’s “Lanewatch” blind spot camera and smart entry with push button ignition. But the biggest news has to do with the transmission. Much like the Corolla last year, the Civic gains a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) for 2014. Not only does this improve the vehicles refinement, but also bumps up fuel economy as well.

Efficiency Dead Heat

2014 Honda Civic 1

Our tester, a Civic EX-L with Navigation, is now officially rated at 30 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway. That is a two MPG improvement in the city over the 2013 Civic EX-L Navi and a one MPG advantage in both categories over the 2014 Corolla S. In real world testing however, the cars are dead even. Both returned a 32.7 MPG mixed driving average after a week in our hands.

SEE ALSO: 2013 Honda Civic Review - Video

2014 Toyota Corolla 2
Even if it’s a wash in terms of fuel economy, the Civic does hold an edge in power. Already making more power than the Corolla last year, the Civic’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine receives a modest bump of three hp and one lb-ft of torque this year bringing the totals to 143 hp and 129 lb-ft. Although that isn’t a huge advantage over the Corolla’s 132 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque, it is still noticeable. There is a more powerful and more efficient version of Toyota’s 1.8-liter engine, but it is only available on the LE-ECO trim level.

Some of the power advantage the Civic possesses is eaten up by a curb weight 65 lbs. heavier than the Corolla. On the road, we were divided over which vehicle was easier to drive. Both cars feature highly boosted steering but the Civic’s smaller diameter steering wheel makes the car feel more nimble.

Two CVTs, Two Different Behaviors



2014 Honda Civic interior 5

Honda’s new CVT is designed to feel like a traditional automatic much more than the Toyota CVT does. Noticeable shift points complete with momentary pauses have been programmed into the car’s mapping and probably affects fuel economy if only a little.

In the Corolla S, there are paddle shifters and a sport mode included if you want to pretend that you’re shifting gears. The Civic can also come with paddles, but only in the coupe model.

The Civic does feel more capable in corners and tracts straighter at high speeds. However, neither of these are even remotely sporty automobiles. They are simple to drive, reliable cars for general car consumers and as always, both excel at the task.

Space vs Comfort



2014 Honda Civic 4

Honda could only do so much when refreshing the Civic and rebuilding the entire body was out of the question. That means the Civic still trails the Corolla when it comes to interior space. Rear seat passengers in the Toyota enjoy 41.4 inches of legroom, which is more than a five-inch advantage compared to the cramped Civic. It’s the same story with cargo space: the Corolla has an extra half cubic foot of cargo carrying capacity over the Civic’s 12.5 cubic foot trunk.

Corolla Interior 3
Even with less space, the Honda’s ergonomics are better. The seating position and dashboard are better placed for comfortable driving than the Corolla’s ridiculously tall dashboard and comparatively less comfortable seats. Many found the sightlines in the Civic to be better thanks to the side mirrors being mounted to the door and not the A pillars.

Compare Specs

2014 Honda Civic

vs

2014 Toyota Corolla

Vehicle

2014 Honda Civic

Advantage

2014 Toyota Corolla

Engine 1.8 Liter Inline-4 - 1.8 Liter Inline-4
Horsepower 143 hp Civic 132 hp
Max. Torque 129 lb-ft Civic 128 lb-ft
Fuel Economy 30 MPG city / 39 MPG hwy Civic 29 MPG city / 38 MPG hwy
Observed Fuel Economy 32.7 MPG - 32.7 MPG
Weight 2,930 lbs. Corolla 2,865 lbs.
Front Legroom 42.0” - 42.3”
Rear Legroom 36.2” Corolla 41.4”
Cargo Capacity 12.5 cu. ft. Corolla 13.0 cu. ft.
Starting Price $19,180 Corolla $17,610
As Tested Price $25,030 Corolla $23,570

Technology vs. Ease of Use

2014 Honda Civic interior 4
The Civic’s optional LaneWatch side-view camera that is infiltrating its way into every Honda product and we couldn’t be happier about that. Honda’s Display Audio system lacks buttons in favor of an iPhone-like control interface that isn’t as straightforward to use as the Corolla’s system.

SEE ALSO: 2014 Toyota Corolla Review - Video

Corolla Interior 2
While on the topic of Display Audio, it allows owners to access to a limited number of applications including a $60 navigation app. Not only is this convenient, but it actually makes the trim of our test car, the EX-L with Navigation, sort of obsolete.

And that brings us to issue of price. The Corolla begins at a price of $17,160 after destination charges which is over $1,500 cheaper than a base Civic’s price of $19,180. As tested, the gap remains the same with our Corolla S Premium featuring the driver convenience package priced at $23,570 compared to the Civic EX-L with Navi commanding $25,030.

2014 Toyota Corolla vs 2014 Honda Civic 3

The Verdict

Unlike last year, there is no clear cut winner anymore. The 2014 Honda Civic has closed the gap on the 2014 Toyota Corolla. While the Corolla is cheaper and offers more room inside, the Civic is more enjoyable to drive and features more leading edge technology. It really comes down to personal priorities and preferences as to which car makes better sense for you. Neither is a bad choice and it’s safe to say their sales battle will rage on for years to come.

2014 Honda Civic

LOVE IT Improved efficiency
Better technology
More powerful engine
Better driving position


LEAVE IT Small backseat
More expensive


2014 Toyota Corolla

LOVE IT Efficient
Rear seat space
New interior
Cheaper price


LEAVE IT Still dull to drive
Not as much tech
New engine only on LE ECO
Steering too loose

21/10/2013

MECHANICS IS LIFE

The Short Answer: 2013 Honda AccordHow Close? As close as we expectedHonda Accord Key Advantages: More technologies, mor...
15/06/2013

The Short Answer: 2013 Honda Accord

How Close? As close as we expected

Honda Accord Key Advantages: More technologies, more satisfying to drive

Toyota Camry Key Advantages: Softer and quieter highway ride, simpler to operate

Also: See all 12 of your 2013-2014 midsize sedan options

Longtime Rivals
Celtics vs. Lakers, Chicago deep dish vs. New York thin crust and Toyota Camry vs. Honda Accord. Stretching back to before the turn of the century, these venerable midsize sedans have been the two best-selling cars in the country, and they continue to battle each other for the hearts and minds of smart shoppers looking for well-rounded and trouble-free transportation.

Kelley Blue Book Value Comparison
Apples-to-Apples Price: Similar
Projected 5-Year Cost To Own: Similar
Projected Resale Value: Similar (But Accord edges Camry slightly and bests all others as Kelley Blue Book's 2013 Best Resale Value Award winner in the midsize sedan category)

Key Similarities
The Accord and Camry might be the two most reputable cars on the road. They're also comfortably roomy, fuel-efficient and offer incredible value based on the same outstanding mix of competitive pricing, stellar resale value and renowned reliability.

While both offer a choice of 4- or 6-cylinder power, the most popular configuration of both cars is with a 4-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and cloth interior. Each is now available with a comprehensive infotainment suite - Toyota's Entune and Honda's HondaLink - both of which leverage the driver's smartphone to provide access to everything from movie tickets to sports scores to Facebook updates.

2013 Honda Accord Advantages
While the latest Camry has more driving personality than its predecessor, there's still something more satisfying about driving an Accord. Better steering and pedal feel are part of a collection of near-intangibles that make the Accord more enjoyable to drive even on a routine commute to the office.

New to the Accord driving experience for this generation is a "gearless" continuously variable transmission (CVT) that serves as the automatic transmission option on all 4-cylinder models. Acceleration without shift points can seem strange at first, but it's mostly an aural issue: we're all just used to hearing an engine rev up and down several times as a car accelerates through the gears. After a short adjustment period, buyers typically start singing the praises of CVT smoothness versus even the smoothest conventional transmission. Honda's first CVT arguably isn't quite as good as Nissan's best, and it doesn't deliver the same perfect off-the-line response as the V6 Accord's conventional automatic, but it's good enough that we count it as a small advantage over the Camry.

Another cool new feature for Accord is the available LaneWatch system. Turn on your right turn signal and a video view of the right-side blind spot is presented on the center console display. You get a better look at where you're trying to go without having to move your eyes all the way to the right outside mirror and farther off the road ahead. Watch for other automakers to start offering something similar.

In addition to LaneWatch, the Accord also offers adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning, all of which are more typical of luxury cars and none of which are offered on the Camry.

While the new Accord will be the second of the two cars to offer a hybrid version, it will be first to offer a plug-in hybrid, expected to offer perhaps 20 miles of all-electric range.

In lower- to mid-level trims the Accord is still available with a manual transmission, and for something completely different there's the Accord Coupe. (Two doors, no waiting.)

Finally, while beauty remains firmly entrenched in the eye of the beholder, we think most would call the Accord more stylish than the Camry, both inside and out. Even the Accord's 8-inch display is prettier on two counts: it's larger than the Camry's 6.1- or 7-inch screens, and it's standard equipment even on the base model.

2013 Toyota Camry Advantages
The Toyota Camry is softer, simpler and requires a bit of a lighter touch than the Honda Accord. While car enthusiast-types tend to favor the Accord, more car buyers prefer the Camry and have made it the best-selling car in America for 15 of the past 16 years (Accord took the title in 2001).

The Camry's more basic design is a plus for many buyers. Nowhere is this more evident than in the interior button layout. Here, what you see is what you get. Big, easy-to-read buttons with labels like "Radio," "Map" and "Setup" are the epitome of ease.

An available blind-spot monitoring system also enhances driving ease. This system constantly monitors both sides of the vehicle and gives the driver a visual warning when other cars enter the nefarious zone often not seen from the side mirrors. While the Accord's LaneWatch system offers the advantage of video, it monitors only the right side of the vehicle.

Another feature that's part of the blind-spot monitoring system - and one that's just as valuable - is the Camry's rear cross traffic alert. Instead of just hoping vehicles crossing behind you will stop as you nervously back out of a blind parking space, this safety and convenience feature will alert you to approaching cars before you're able to see them.

The Camry is currently available in a gasoline-electric hybrid format and has been for years. This most fuel-miserly of Camry models is rated at up to 43 city/39 highway mpg.

Like all Toyota vehicles, the Camry includes complimentary maintenance for 2 years/25,000 miles. Also available is the Safety Connect system that includes services such as emergency assistance, stolen vehicle locator, and automatic collision notification.

"So Which One Should I Buy?"
After all these years, the question of whether to buy a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord still comes down to this: Would you prefer something a little bit softer or a little bit sportier? They're both excellent automobiles, and you'd drive yourself crazy trying to find meaningful differences in quality, value or safety. Drive them both back-to-back and pick the one that speaks to your heart. In this case with two very good cars to pick from, it makes sense to let the car choose you.

More Midsize Sedans
It wasn't so long ago that Accord and Camry were clearly the top two choices in the midsize sedan segment. Today, you're faced with as many as 10 viable alternatives. Here's a look at your 12 midsize sedan options for 2013-14.

15/06/2013

The Short Answer: 2013 Honda Accord

How Close? As close as we expected

Honda Accord Key Advantages: More technologies, more satisfying to drive

Toyota Camry Key Advantages: Softer and quieter highway ride, simpler to operate

Also: See all 12 of your 2013-2014 midsize sedan options

Longtime Rivals
Celtics vs. Lakers, Chicago deep dish vs. New York thin crust and Toyota Camry vs. Honda Accord. Stretching back to before the turn of the century, these venerable midsize sedans have been the two best-selling cars in the country, and they continue to battle each other for the hearts and minds of smart shoppers looking for well-rounded and trouble-free transportation.

Kelley Blue Book Value Comparison
Apples-to-Apples Price: Similar
Projected 5-Year Cost To Own: Similar
Projected Resale Value: Similar (But Accord edges Camry slightly and bests all others as Kelley Blue Book's 2013 Best Resale Value Award winner in the midsize sedan category)

Key Similarities
The Accord and Camry might be the two most reputable cars on the road. They're also comfortably roomy, fuel-efficient and offer incredible value based on the same outstanding mix of competitive pricing, stellar resale value and renowned reliability.

While both offer a choice of 4- or 6-cylinder power, the most popular configuration of both cars is with a 4-cylinder engine, automatic transmission and cloth interior. Each is now available with a comprehensive infotainment suite - Toyota's Entune and Honda's HondaLink - both of which leverage the driver's smartphone to provide access to everything from movie tickets to sports scores to Facebook updates.

2013 Honda Accord Advantages
While the latest Camry has more driving personality than its predecessor, there's still something more satisfying about driving an Accord. Better steering and pedal feel are part of a collection of near-intangibles that make the Accord more enjoyable to drive even on a routine commute to the office.

New to the Accord driving experience for this generation is a "gearless" continuously variable transmission (CVT) that serves as the automatic transmission option on all 4-cylinder models. Acceleration without shift points can seem strange at first, but it's mostly an aural issue: we're all just used to hearing an engine rev up and down several times as a car accelerates through the gears. After a short adjustment period, buyers typically start singing the praises of CVT smoothness versus even the smoothest conventional transmission. Honda's first CVT arguably isn't quite as good as Nissan's best, and it doesn't deliver the same perfect off-the-line response as the V6 Accord's conventional automatic, but it's good enough that we count it as a small advantage over the Camry.

Another cool new feature for Accord is the available LaneWatch system. Turn on your right turn signal and a video view of the right-side blind spot is presented on the center console display. You get a better look at where you're trying to go without having to move your eyes all the way to the right outside mirror and farther off the road ahead. Watch for other automakers to start offering something similar.

In addition to LaneWatch, the Accord also offers adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning, all of which are more typical of luxury cars and none of which are offered on the Camry.

While the new Accord will be the second of the two cars to offer a hybrid version, it will be first to offer a plug-in hybrid, expected to offer perhaps 20 miles of all-electric range.

In lower- to mid-level trims the Accord is still available with a manual transmission, and for something completely different there's the Accord Coupe. (Two doors, no waiting.)

Finally, while beauty remains firmly entrenched in the eye of the beholder, we think most would call the Accord more stylish than the Camry, both inside and out. Even the Accord's 8-inch display is prettier on two counts: it's larger than the Camry's 6.1- or 7-inch screens, and it's standard equipment even on the base model.

2013 Toyota Camry Advantages
The Toyota Camry is softer, simpler and requires a bit of a lighter touch than the Honda Accord. While car enthusiast-types tend to favor the Accord, more car buyers prefer the Camry and have made it the best-selling car in America for 15 of the past 16 years (Accord took the title in 2001).

The Camry's more basic design is a plus for many buyers. Nowhere is this more evident than in the interior button layout. Here, what you see is what you get. Big, easy-to-read buttons with labels like "Radio," "Map" and "Setup" are the epitome of ease.

An available blind-spot monitoring system also enhances driving ease. This system constantly monitors both sides of the vehicle and gives the driver a visual warning when other cars enter the nefarious zone often not seen from the side mirrors. While the Accord's LaneWatch system offers the advantage of video, it monitors only the right side of the vehicle.

Another feature that's part of the blind-spot monitoring system - and one that's just as valuable - is the Camry's rear cross traffic alert. Instead of just hoping vehicles crossing behind you will stop as you nervously back out of a blind parking space, this safety and convenience feature will alert you to approaching cars before you're able to see them.

The Camry is currently available in a gasoline-electric hybrid format and has been for years. This most fuel-miserly of Camry models is rated at up to 43 city/39 highway mpg.

Like all Toyota vehicles, the Camry includes complimentary maintenance for 2 years/25,000 miles. Also available is the Safety Connect system that includes services such as emergency assistance, stolen vehicle locator, and automatic collision notification.

"So Which One Should I Buy?"
After all these years, the question of whether to buy a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord still comes down to this: Would you prefer something a little bit softer or a little bit sportier? They're both excellent automobiles, and you'd drive yourself crazy trying to find meaningful differences in quality, value or safety. Drive them both back-to-back and pick the one that speaks to your heart. In this case with two very good cars to pick from, it makes sense to let the car choose you.

More Midsize Sedans
It wasn't so long ago that Accord and Camry were clearly the top two choices in the midsize sedan segment. Today, you're faced with as many as 10 viable alternatives. Here's a look at your 12 midsize sedan options for 2013-14.

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