2020 Honda Civic vs 2019 Toyota Prius

The 2019 Toyota Prius was not typically celebrated for its aesthetics, with its design often seen as more functional than visually appealing. The fourth-generation model, introduced in 2016, continued this trend with an even more extroverted design that some argued detracted from its sales appeal. Despite its unconventional looks, the Prius offered a practical solution for those seeking a reliable daily driver. The 2019 lineup included various trims, with the XLE AWD model featuring a unique Electric Storm Blue color and an Advanced Technology Package. Inside, the Prius maintained its distinctive style with centralized controls and a glossy black interior trim that, while functional, required frequent cleaning.

In contrast, the 2020 Honda Civic was praised for its sharp design and engineering excellence, offering a visually stimulating exterior without appearing cheap. Available in sedan, coupe, and hatchback styles, the Civic's design emphasized a low and wide stance with elegant body lines and LED lighting. The 2019 updates to the Civic's grilles, bumpers, and wheels carried over into 2020, with the Si models receiving additional styling enhancements. Inside, the Civic featured a simple yet high-quality interior with soft-touch materials and a configurable center console. The Civic's spaciousness extended to the rear seats, although it lacked rear air vents, and its trunk offered ample cargo space across all body styles.

The 2019 Toyota Prius combined a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor to produce 121 horsepower. The optional AWD-e system added a 5-kilowatt rear electric motor, which powered the rear wheels at low speeds and provided extra traction when needed. This system, however, resulted in slightly lower fuel efficiency, with the AWD-e model achieving 50 mpg compared to the standard Prius's 52 mpg. The Prius featured a CVT and offered a smooth ride with decent handling, especially in Power mode. Its aerodynamic design and all-season tires contributed to a quiet driving experience, although road noise was more noticeable at higher speeds.

The 2020 Honda Civic offered a range of engines and transmissions, all FWD. The base models featured a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower, while higher trims came with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine producing up to 180 horsepower. The Civic Si and Type R models boasted even more power, with the Si delivering 205 horsepower and the Type R an impressive 306 horsepower. The Civic's engines were known for their smoothness and responsiveness, with the CVT providing seamless power delivery. The Si model featured adaptive dampers and a sportier suspension, making it a joy to drive. Despite a slight reduction in fuel economy for the Si, the Civic remained efficient, with most models achieving over 30 mpg in combined driving.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered a surprisingly roomy interior, comfortably seating four adults. The driver's seat had manual height adjustment, while the front passenger seat sat high off the floor. Rear passengers enjoyed good thigh support, though the lack of air conditioning vents in the second row was a drawback. The Prius's hatchback design provided ample cargo space, with up to 65.5 cubic feet available with the rear seats folded down. However, the SofTex leatherette upholstery in higher trims could become uncomfortable in hot weather, and the lack of ground clearance limited its off-road capabilities.

The 2020 Honda Civic provided a spacious interior with a conventional PRNDL shifter and a configurable center console. The driver's seat in the EX hatchback was eight-way power adjustable, and the rear seats offered ample room for passengers. However, the absence of rear air vents was a notable oversight. The Civic's trunk space varied by body style, with the sedan offering 15 cubic feet and the hatchback providing up to 46 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Civic's interior was well-equipped, with features like heated outboard seats and a deep storage bin in the center console.

The 2019 Toyota Prius's most advanced infotainment system was reserved for the Limited trim, featuring an 11.6-inch touchscreen, navigation, and a premium JBL sound system. The standard setup in the XLE AWD-e model included a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a CD player. While the infotainment system looked sophisticated, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Prius's instrumentation was housed in a horizontal strip below the windshield, with some displays appearing outdated. The Advanced Technology Package added a head-up display and adaptive headlights but fell short of expectations.

The 2020 Honda Civic's infotainment system, though outdated, included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models except the base LX. The system's navigation was Garmin-based and offered accurate voice recognition. The Civic Si featured Active Sound Control, which could be turned off, and a 450-watt stereo. Standard features included push-button start, keyless entry, and heated front seats. Honda Sensing provided advanced safety features, and LaneWatch offered a live feed of the blind spot. The Civic's technology package was comprehensive, with automatic climate control and LED headlights on higher trims.

The 2019 Toyota Prius offered the Safety Connect service on the Limited trim, providing collision notification and emergency assistance. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The LE trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. The Prius received a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with some areas rated as Acceptable.

The 2020 Honda Civic came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control. The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS, with "Good" ratings in all crash tests. The NHTSA awarded the Civic five stars in all categories, except for a four-star rating in the passenger frontal crash test for the coupe.