The Evolution of the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla: A Comparison of Two Iconic Models

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are two of the most popular and enduring models in the automotive industry. With their sleek designs, impressive performance, and exceptional reliability, it's no wonder why these cars have been a staple on roads around the world for decades. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the evolution of both models, highlighting the key changes and updates that have made them the go-to choices for car buyers.

The Honda Civic: A Generation-by-Generation Breakdown

The largest change in the E-170 model was the car size, with its wheelbase being about 4 inches larger. This generation saw the introduction of the turbocharged Civic Si, which boasted an impressive 205 horsepower from its 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. The performance model also included the Civic Type R, which set a lap time record at the Urban Ring and became the fastest front-wheel drive car in urban racing.

However, it's worth noting that America saw the 10th generation of the Civic, marking a significant change in the model's design and functionality. This generation was more sleek and modern, with improved aerodynamics and enhanced safety features. The Civic Type R continued to be a popular choice among enthusiasts, while the Si remained a reliable and affordable option for those looking for a high-performance ride.

The Toyota Corolla: A Long History of Reliability

Meanwhile, the Toyota Corolla has been in its 12th generation and is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. This current generation saw the introduction of the Corolla Hybrid, which provided improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. With over 50 million units sold globally over its 55-year lifespan, the Corolla holds the record as the best-selling car in the world.

Interestingly, both Honda and Toyota have high-quality reliability ratings and are known for their longevity, making them excellent choices for pre-owned buyers. If you're shopping for a used Civic or Corolla, here are some models worth considering: the 2014 Civic received very few customer complaints and most were minor; the 2012 Civic also had a few complaints mainly around seats being uncomfortable; and the eighth-generation Civics, including the OH6-11 models, are a good bet in general.

On the other hand, if you're looking for a pre-owned model that's worth avoiding, the 2001 Civic is not recommended. This model had the most volume of customer complaints of all Civics, with issues ranging from transmission problems to driver's side airbag recalls. In fact, six million units were recalled due to serious problems with the driver's side airbag, and three million more were recalled for similar issues with the passenger side airbag.

Similarly, the 2016 Civic has seen some issues, including reports of the air conditioning unit stopping working after 36,000 miles. Honda's unlimited warranty should cover the condenser repair, but some drivers reported it still malfunctioned even after several repairs. Additionally, wires made from a soy-based coating that attracted rats and mice led to electrical issues that cost upwards of $800 to replace.

Toyota Corolla: A Model Worth Considering

On the other hand, the Toyota Corolla is in its 12th generation and is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform. This current generation saw the introduction of the Corolla Hybrid, which has an impressive fuel economy rating of 30-40 miles per gallon. The 11th-generation Corolla starting with the 2014 model has the best gas mileage of all generations.

However, if you're looking for a pre-owned Corolla that's worth avoiding, the 2002 model is not recommended. This model reportedly had issues with the engine eating oil, which wasn't dangerous but was expensive to fix, averaging around $2,600 per year. Another complaint was that the airbags would fail to deploy or would explode if they deployed.

The 2009 Corolla received the most number of customer complaints, including severe issues like speed control and steering problems. This led to 100 crashes, and Toyota issued a recall to address these issues. However, some models, such as the 2014 Corolla, have seen reports of failed airbags and injuries, although no recalls have been issued yet.

Comparison of Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are both highly regarded models with impressive performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency. While both models have their strengths and weaknesses, it's essential to consider the specific model year and generation when choosing between them.

In terms of sales, America is nearly split between these two models, with Honda selling over 261,000 Civics in 2020 and Toyota selling 237,000 Corollas. Ultimately, the decision between these two iconic models comes down to personal preference and driving needs.

If you're looking for a high-performance ride with exceptional handling, the Honda Civic Type R might be the better choice. However, if you prioritize fuel efficiency and reliability, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is an excellent option.

In conclusion, both the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have come a long way since their inception and are considered two of the most reliable and dependable models on the market. By understanding the evolution of these models, potential buyers can make informed decisions about which car best suits their needs and preferences.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: entoday we'll be looking at two competing compact cars the honda civic and the toyota corolla both are strong competitors in the same league and it's no surprise that it's a tough choice so jump in with me as we compare each car's evolution and technology and style over the decades we'll also see which model years are the best to buy and which ones to avoid if you're shopping for a pre-owned model and stay tuned so that you can comment and share your opinion afterwards it all started back in the early 1970s it was a time of bell bottoms roller skates and carol king and then the oil crisis started and america saw new epa emissions standards this shifted the american consumer demand to fuel-efficient cars it was in this very climate that honda debuted the civic 1973. it was a sub-compact car initially offered as a three-door hatchback and sedan it was small efficient humble the market was ripe for a car like that and honda sold almost 33 000 civics in its first year meanwhile that same year toyota sold almost 117 000 corollas almost three and a half times more than honda that's because the toyota corolla had already entered the u.s market several years prior in fact the corolla was already in its second generation a year later toyota introduced the third generation corolla it came in five different trims ranging from a two-door hard top to a five-door wagon at that time most car makers were fitting exhaust cadillac supply with tighter emission standards but honda found a better way to address it in 1975 honda started equipping the civic with the compound vortex controlled combustion engine the cvcc engine delivered cleaner and more complete combustion than met the new standards without requiring a catalytic converter in fact the epa ranked the honda civic is number one in their list of most fuel-efficient cars you can see the impact the cvcc engine had because that year civic sales jumped more than double compared to the previous year now was the early 1980s and america would see mullets neons and the second generation civic this generation civic are larger and new body styles included the four-door sedan a special fuel economy trend boost gas mileage and a sport s trim which was a hint of the civic si model soon to come during the same time oil prices were skyrocketing toyota launched their fourth generation corolla and included the lineup with a diesel engine overall this generation had excellent fuel economy while carrying an upscale field the car was larger than the previous generation and came with a coil spring design that replaced the leaf spring rear suspension soon after civic's third generation arrived it was bigger sportier had better fuel economy new body styles got added including the civic crx a fastback coupe with two seats the civic si hatchback and the civic wagon which became known as the tall buoy due to its extra height and larger rear window during this generation the popular d-series engine was introduced and also honda started building the civic on u.s soil in ohio meanwhile toyota started changing some of its corolla models from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive this generation was boxier with harder lines toyota also introduced the famous corolla gts with the double overhead cam engine producing a whopping 112 horsepower this generation was considered one of the most popular with 3.3 millions being produced worldwide as the 80s were ending america saw the fourth generation civic it came with sharp new looks a new engine family and larger wheelbase one of the most important changes was the addition of double wishbone suspension for the front and rear which gave the civic much better handling in the meantime toyota widened the corolla by an inch made the exterior more contemporary and stylish and discontinued the coop by this time all corolla models were now front wheel drive the early 1990s brought the fifth generation civic with a variable valve timing engine also known as vtec america saw the two-door four-seater civic coupe and the new dell sole model it was a two-seat coupe with a removable roof to give it an appearance similar to a convertible honda also focused on safety issues adding passenger side airbags to all civic models and optional anti-lock brakes meanwhile during this time the toyota corolla became bigger heavier sporty and more aerodynamic than before this is when the corolla started growing from a sub-compact to a compact category and becoming more like the car that we know today this generation saw the corolla come in six different engine variations ranging from a 1.3 liter to a 2-liter diesel engine the latter part of the 1990s saw the sixth generation civic this generation included a fully revised engine with 106 horsepower and low emissions ratings honda also introduced a natural gas-powered civic and america finally got its hand on the civic si which had debuted in japan three years earlier the generation also saw the high rev vtec dual overhead cam 1.6 liter also known as the popular 160 horsepower b16 engine this all coincided with the eighth generation corrode which is now being built in california toyota wanted to prioritize safety and save energy they reduced the car's weight by adding new impact absorption steering column srs airbags and emergency locking seat belts the only body style offered in the u.s was a sedan powered by 120 horsepower 1.8 liter engine with a three or four speed automatic or a five speed manual then the new millennium started honda entered the era with the seventh generation civic it was a dramatic redesign honda replaced the double wishbone front suspension with mcpherson struts and the car's interior became more spacious this is the generation when the civic grew from a sub-compact to a compact car america also saw the release of the first civic hybrid and a special edition package for both the sedan and coupe during this time toyota was focusing on performance and quality they launched the ninth generation corolla which was designed to appeal to a broader audience it was based on the larger corolla office with this 1.8 liter engine but with more power 130 horsepower toyota also debuted the sporty xrs version with 170 horsepower the latter part of the 2000s saw the eighth generation civic which won many awards the civic became heavier as honda started using different platforms for the coupe and sedan to give different driving dynamics the first civic si sedan arrived and leather upholstery finally appeared as an option for the first time in the model's history the natural gas gx also returned for 2006. it burned clean but it was also slower had less trunk space and was heavier in weight and in price meanwhile the 10th generation corolla underwent a design overhaul both inside and out the focus of this generation was technology cabin space and performance major visual changes included a new interior design front grille and bumpers by 2012 honda was on its ninth generation civic there were many tech upgrades and modern features that were uncommon in a compact car the 2015 honda civic gave buyers more options with the new se trim level as well as impressive gas mileage up to 41 miles per gallon on a highway and 31 miles per gallon in the city this all overlapped with the 11th generation corolla toyota modernized the corolla which was definitely more sleek in trend the largest change in the e-170 model was the car size its wheelbase being about 4 inches larger soon after america saw the 10th generation this generation saw the first turbocharged civic including the performance model of the civic si with 205 horsepower turbocharged 1.5 liter 4 cylinder also the 306 horsepower turbocharged civic type r the civic r set a lap time record making it the fastest front wheel drive car in urban ring the 2021 civic is the last of this generation and americo waits to see the new generation of the 2022 model right now the toyota corolla is in its 12th generation and is built on the toyota new global architecture platform this current generation saw the first corolla hybrid and did you know that the toyota corolla is the number one best selling car in the world to date some 50 million units have been sold globally over its 55 year life span honda and toyota both have high quality reliability ratings and are known for longevity so if you're shopping for a pre-owned model which ones are worth considering and which one should you avoid let's start with a honda civic if you're looking for a pre-owned honda civic a few models worth considering include the 2014 model that model received very few customer complaints and most were minor the 2012 civic also got a few complaints mainly around seats being uncomfortable also the eighth generation civics including the oh six to 11 models are a good bet in general it's worth noting that the civic that gets stolen the most is the 1998 so that's an indication of its value it's a classic and fans love the durable hatches while thieves value it for aftermarket parts on the other hand if it's high in the list for auto them maybe you should think of something else so now which civic models are the least reliable i recommend avoiding the 2001 civic and let me tell you why first that model had the most volume of customer complaints of all civics the most severe issue was transmission problems anywhere from the transmission flipping failing to engage jerking or popping out of gear some drivers face loss of power while driving and it's not just that honda issued some 27 recalls for that particular model in fact some six million units were recalled due to serious problem with the driver's side airbag where sharp metal fragments fly towards the driver when airbags deployed later honda also recalled three million civics from that model due to similar issues with the passenger side airbags the 2016 civic has also seen some issues there were reports that the air conditioning unit stopped working after 36 000 miles honda's unlimited warranty should cover the condenser repair but some drivers reported it still malfunctioned even after several repairs that model also had wires that were made from a soy based coating which evidently attracts rats and mice who like to chew on them which leads to electrical issues caused to replace the damaged wires and cores can be eight to nine hundred dollars as far as the toyota corolla is concerned the ninth generation 2003 to 2008 corolla are a good vet in terms of excellent gas mileage 28 to 37 miles per gallon in the city affordability and overall reliability if you're solely wanting the best fuel economy then you want to consider the 11th generation starting with the 2014 corrode which has the best gas mileage of 30 to 40 miles per gallon so what corolla models are the least reliable the 2002 corolla reportedly is the worst and many deem it a clunker the most common problem was the engine eating oil which isn't dangerous per se but it's an expensive problem to have fiction had cost an average about 2 600 another complaint was that the airbags would fail to deploy the 2009 corolla received the most number of customer complaints it had more severe issues than the 2002 model including issues around speed control and steering this led to 100 crashes and toyota issued a recall to address it another issue was that the airbags either didn't deploy or would explode if they deployed some 40 people were injured due to this the 2014 corolla also received reports of failed airbags and there are many injuries and one death as a result but no recalls have been issued yet most of the complaints for this model was that the radio stopped working even as low as 50 000 miles and this can be expensive to fix averaging about 1 300. last year in the us honda sold over 261 000 civics and toyota sold 237 000 corollas so you can see america's nearly split between these two but now what do you think which is better toyota corolla or honda civic comment below and share your opinion if you like this episode please subscribe to my channel thanks for your supporttoday we'll be looking at two competing compact cars the honda civic and the toyota corolla both are strong competitors in the same league and it's no surprise that it's a tough choice so jump in with me as we compare each car's evolution and technology and style over the decades we'll also see which model years are the best to buy and which ones to avoid if you're shopping for a pre-owned model and stay tuned so that you can comment and share your opinion afterwards it all started back in the early 1970s it was a time of bell bottoms roller skates and carol king and then the oil crisis started and america saw new epa emissions standards this shifted the american consumer demand to fuel-efficient cars it was in this very climate that honda debuted the civic 1973. it was a sub-compact car initially offered as a three-door hatchback and sedan it was small efficient humble the market was ripe for a car like that and honda sold almost 33 000 civics in its first year meanwhile that same year toyota sold almost 117 000 corollas almost three and a half times more than honda that's because the toyota corolla had already entered the u.s market several years prior in fact the corolla was already in its second generation a year later toyota introduced the third generation corolla it came in five different trims ranging from a two-door hard top to a five-door wagon at that time most car makers were fitting exhaust cadillac supply with tighter emission standards but honda found a better way to address it in 1975 honda started equipping the civic with the compound vortex controlled combustion engine the cvcc engine delivered cleaner and more complete combustion than met the new standards without requiring a catalytic converter in fact the epa ranked the honda civic is number one in their list of most fuel-efficient cars you can see the impact the cvcc engine had because that year civic sales jumped more than double compared to the previous year now was the early 1980s and america would see mullets neons and the second generation civic this generation civic are larger and new body styles included the four-door sedan a special fuel economy trend boost gas mileage and a sport s trim which was a hint of the civic si model soon to come during the same time oil prices were skyrocketing toyota launched their fourth generation corolla and included the lineup with a diesel engine overall this generation had excellent fuel economy while carrying an upscale field the car was larger than the previous generation and came with a coil spring design that replaced the leaf spring rear suspension soon after civic's third generation arrived it was bigger sportier had better fuel economy new body styles got added including the civic crx a fastback coupe with two seats the civic si hatchback and the civic wagon which became known as the tall buoy due to its extra height and larger rear window during this generation the popular d-series engine was introduced and also honda started building the civic on u.s soil in ohio meanwhile toyota started changing some of its corolla models from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive this generation was boxier with harder lines toyota also introduced the famous corolla gts with the double overhead cam engine producing a whopping 112 horsepower this generation was considered one of the most popular with 3.3 millions being produced worldwide as the 80s were ending america saw the fourth generation civic it came with sharp new looks a new engine family and larger wheelbase one of the most important changes was the addition of double wishbone suspension for the front and rear which gave the civic much better handling in the meantime toyota widened the corolla by an inch made the exterior more contemporary and stylish and discontinued the coop by this time all corolla models were now front wheel drive the early 1990s brought the fifth generation civic with a variable valve timing engine also known as vtec america saw the two-door four-seater civic coupe and the new dell sole model it was a two-seat coupe with a removable roof to give it an appearance similar to a convertible honda also focused on safety issues adding passenger side airbags to all civic models and optional anti-lock brakes meanwhile during this time the toyota corolla became bigger heavier sporty and more aerodynamic than before this is when the corolla started growing from a sub-compact to a compact category and becoming more like the car that we know today this generation saw the corolla come in six different engine variations ranging from a 1.3 liter to a 2-liter diesel engine the latter part of the 1990s saw the sixth generation civic this generation included a fully revised engine with 106 horsepower and low emissions ratings honda also introduced a natural gas-powered civic and america finally got its hand on the civic si which had debuted in japan three years earlier the generation also saw the high rev vtec dual overhead cam 1.6 liter also known as the popular 160 horsepower b16 engine this all coincided with the eighth generation corrode which is now being built in california toyota wanted to prioritize safety and save energy they reduced the car's weight by adding new impact absorption steering column srs airbags and emergency locking seat belts the only body style offered in the u.s was a sedan powered by 120 horsepower 1.8 liter engine with a three or four speed automatic or a five speed manual then the new millennium started honda entered the era with the seventh generation civic it was a dramatic redesign honda replaced the double wishbone front suspension with mcpherson struts and the car's interior became more spacious this is the generation when the civic grew from a sub-compact to a compact car america also saw the release of the first civic hybrid and a special edition package for both the sedan and coupe during this time toyota was focusing on performance and quality they launched the ninth generation corolla which was designed to appeal to a broader audience it was based on the larger corolla office with this 1.8 liter engine but with more power 130 horsepower toyota also debuted the sporty xrs version with 170 horsepower the latter part of the 2000s saw the eighth generation civic which won many awards the civic became heavier as honda started using different platforms for the coupe and sedan to give different driving dynamics the first civic si sedan arrived and leather upholstery finally appeared as an option for the first time in the model's history the natural gas gx also returned for 2006. it burned clean but it was also slower had less trunk space and was heavier in weight and in price meanwhile the 10th generation corolla underwent a design overhaul both inside and out the focus of this generation was technology cabin space and performance major visual changes included a new interior design front grille and bumpers by 2012 honda was on its ninth generation civic there were many tech upgrades and modern features that were uncommon in a compact car the 2015 honda civic gave buyers more options with the new se trim level as well as impressive gas mileage up to 41 miles per gallon on a highway and 31 miles per gallon in the city this all overlapped with the 11th generation corolla toyota modernized the corolla which was definitely more sleek in trend the largest change in the e-170 model was the car size its wheelbase being about 4 inches larger soon after america saw the 10th generation this generation saw the first turbocharged civic including the performance model of the civic si with 205 horsepower turbocharged 1.5 liter 4 cylinder also the 306 horsepower turbocharged civic type r the civic r set a lap time record making it the fastest front wheel drive car in urban ring the 2021 civic is the last of this generation and americo waits to see the new generation of the 2022 model right now the toyota corolla is in its 12th generation and is built on the toyota new global architecture platform this current generation saw the first corolla hybrid and did you know that the toyota corolla is the number one best selling car in the world to date some 50 million units have been sold globally over its 55 year life span honda and toyota both have high quality reliability ratings and are known for longevity so if you're shopping for a pre-owned model which ones are worth considering and which one should you avoid let's start with a honda civic if you're looking for a pre-owned honda civic a few models worth considering include the 2014 model that model received very few customer complaints and most were minor the 2012 civic also got a few complaints mainly around seats being uncomfortable also the eighth generation civics including the oh six to 11 models are a good bet in general it's worth noting that the civic that gets stolen the most is the 1998 so that's an indication of its value it's a classic and fans love the durable hatches while thieves value it for aftermarket parts on the other hand if it's high in the list for auto them maybe you should think of something else so now which civic models are the least reliable i recommend avoiding the 2001 civic and let me tell you why first that model had the most volume of customer complaints of all civics the most severe issue was transmission problems anywhere from the transmission flipping failing to engage jerking or popping out of gear some drivers face loss of power while driving and it's not just that honda issued some 27 recalls for that particular model in fact some six million units were recalled due to serious problem with the driver's side airbag where sharp metal fragments fly towards the driver when airbags deployed later honda also recalled three million civics from that model due to similar issues with the passenger side airbags the 2016 civic has also seen some issues there were reports that the air conditioning unit stopped working after 36 000 miles honda's unlimited warranty should cover the condenser repair but some drivers reported it still malfunctioned even after several repairs that model also had wires that were made from a soy based coating which evidently attracts rats and mice who like to chew on them which leads to electrical issues caused to replace the damaged wires and cores can be eight to nine hundred dollars as far as the toyota corolla is concerned the ninth generation 2003 to 2008 corolla are a good vet in terms of excellent gas mileage 28 to 37 miles per gallon in the city affordability and overall reliability if you're solely wanting the best fuel economy then you want to consider the 11th generation starting with the 2014 corrode which has the best gas mileage of 30 to 40 miles per gallon so what corolla models are the least reliable the 2002 corolla reportedly is the worst and many deem it a clunker the most common problem was the engine eating oil which isn't dangerous per se but it's an expensive problem to have fiction had cost an average about 2 600 another complaint was that the airbags would fail to deploy the 2009 corolla received the most number of customer complaints it had more severe issues than the 2002 model including issues around speed control and steering this led to 100 crashes and toyota issued a recall to address it another issue was that the airbags either didn't deploy or would explode if they deployed some 40 people were injured due to this the 2014 corolla also received reports of failed airbags and there are many injuries and one death as a result but no recalls have been issued yet most of the complaints for this model was that the radio stopped working even as low as 50 000 miles and this can be expensive to fix averaging about 1 300. last year in the us honda sold over 261 000 civics and toyota sold 237 000 corollas so you can see america's nearly split between these two but now what do you think which is better toyota corolla or honda civic comment below and share your opinion if you like this episode please subscribe to my channel thanks for your support\n"