Isolated red Corolla Hatchback against a white background

Safety

  • The 2021 Corolla Hatchback and Civic Hatchback are both Institute of Highway Safety Top Safety Picks when equipped with specific headlights.
  • The Corolla Hatchback comes standard with an active suite of safety features called Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) which includes driver-assistive technology like Road Sign Assist (RSA).
  • Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) is an option on the Corolla Hatchback SE and comes standard on the XSE.

You don't get a reputation for safety without snagging a few awards. Both the 2021 Corolla Hatchback and Civic Hatchback received an Institute of Highway Safety Top Safety Pick when equipped with specific headlights.

Standard Safety Features

The Corolla Hatchback also comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) suite of active safety features. The Civic Hatchback comes standard with a similar safety suite, Honda Sensing.

The Corolla Hatchback models with a CVT include a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Automatic High Beams (AHB), Road Sign Assist (RSA), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), and Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).

Honda Sensing includes similar features to Toyota. Civic Hatchback drivers can expect Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™), and Road Departure Mitigation System (RDM), Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning, and Auto High Beams. However, Honda Sensing does not include Pedestrian Detection or Road Sign Assist, which are features that come standard on Corolla Hatchbacks with manual transmissions.

Additionally, the 2021 Corolla Hatchback has Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) available as an option and comes standard on the XSE. The Civic Hatchback has a feature called Honda LaneWatch™ which has some similar capabilities, but it is missing some important features of BSM. Honda LaneWatch™ uses a camera installed below the right, passenger-side mirror to relay an image of the area on the right side of the vehicle to the central display screen. However, it does not provide alerts, does not have any driver side blind spot capability, and does not have any type of rear cross traffic function. Honda LaneWatch™ is also not available on the base trim LX or Sport. To get it you'd need to opt for the EX or higher.
interior of 2021 Corolla Hatchback

Interior

  • The Corolla Hatchback comes with an 8-in. touchscreen.
  • If you're wanting Apple Carplay® and Android Auto™ compatibility standard, the Corolla Hatchback is the car for you.
  • Both hatchbacks can seat 5 passengers.

Audio and interior specs make your drive more comfortable. Tech features are what take a car, like the Corolla Hatchback, from ordinary to extraordinary.

Tech Touches

Both the Corolla Hatchback and the Civic Hatchback have nearly identical interior dimensions with 42.0 inches and 42.3 inches of front legroom respectively and room for 5 passengers. However, the Corolla Hatchback has more to offer inside when it comes to technology.

Some might say the 2021 Corolla Hatchback SE w/CVT outplays the 2021 Civic Hatchback LX w/CVT. The 2021 Corolla Hatchback SE w/CVT comes standard with an audio system that features an 8.-in. touchscreen and 6 speakers. For its part, the 2021 Civic Hatchback LX w/CVT comes standard with a 4-speaker audio system and a 5-in. LCD screen. Also, the 2021 Corolla Hatchback SE w/CVT has 2 USB ports standard, while the 2021 Civic Hatchback LX w/CVT comes standard with 1 USB port.

The 2021 Corolla Hatchback SE w/CVT also comes standard with Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay® only come standard on the Civic Hatchback Sport and higher. There is no mention of Amazon Alexa integration on any Civic Hatchback model.
Corolla Hatchback parked at a gas station

Reliability

  • The 2021 Corolla Hatchback SE w/CVT and Civic Hatchback LX w/CVT have similar starting MSRPs.
  • Every new Toyota comes with the ToyotaCare plan which includes a factory-scheduled maintenance plan. Honda does not offer a comparable complimentary maintenance plan.
  • Both vehicles have roadside assistance programs. Roadside Assistance is part of ToyotaCare and lasts for 2 years and unlimited miles. Honda's roadside assistance lasts 3-year/36,000-mile.

If you're like most drivers, you probably want an affordable car that you can rely on. For Toyota fans you'll be happy to know you get more bang for your buck even at the base level with the Corolla Hatchback.

ToyotaCare Coverage

Although the 2021 Corolla Hatchback SE w/CVT has a starting MSRP of $21,665 and the 2021 Civic Hatchback LX w/CVT has a similar starting MSRP of $22,000, it is important to also consider the cost of ownership.

With a commitment to Quality, Reliability, and Dependability, Toyota was recently awarded the 2019 Best Resale Value: Brand according to Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com.

This is in part due to the fact that every new Toyota comes with a factory-scheduled maintenance plan called ToyotaCare. ToyotaCare lasts 2 years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. Honda does not offer a comparable maintenance plan. Rather, there are prepaid maintenance plans to choose from which vary in cost.

Both the Toyota Corolla Hatchback and the Civic Hatchback have roadside assistance programs. Roadside Assistance comes with every new Toyota and lasts for 2 years and unlimited miles. Honda vehicles come with emergency roadside assistance that lasts for 3-years/36,000-miles.

Conclusion: Corolla Hatchback Honda Civic Hatchback

The comparison between the 2021 Corolla Hatchback and the Civic Hatchback reveals two cars that are fun to drive, sporty, and reliable. The Corolla wins the matchup between these two strong competitors on several key points, including some of its interior features, reliability, and its active safety features.

  • The Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS 2.0) suite of safety features, including driver-assistive technology like Road Sign Assist (RSA), comes standard with the Corolla Hatchback.
  • The active safety feature called Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) comes standard with the Corolla Hatchback XSE and is available as an option on the Corolla Hatchback SE.
  • Apple Carplay® and Android Auto™ compatibility come standard with the Corolla Hatchback.
  • The Corolla Hatchback comes standard with an 8-inch touchscreen.
  • The ToyotaCare factory-scheduled maintenance plan comes standard with the Corolla Hatchback, while Honda Civic Hatchback buyers have to pay extra for maintenance packages.
  • Amazon Alexa compatibility is part of the Corolla Hatchback multimedia package, and it isn't available with any Civic Hatchback trim package.