The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are fierce rivals. Both vehicles have positive attributes that contribute to them being the leading choices for the compact car segment, such as reliability, great gas mileage, high-level safety, and affordability. However, an aspect of the Civic gives it an edge. There’s one huge reason why the 2023 Honda Civic is better than the 2023 Toyota Corolla: It’s more fun to drive. 

2023 Honda Civic is more fun to drive than the 2023 Toyota Corolla

When comparing two cars and deciding which one is the better model, there are many different areas to evaluate. This includes such things as exterior design, passenger and storage space, fuel economy, and available technologies. 

However, an important consideration is how well a car actually drives. And on this front, the 2023 Honda Civic is better than the 2023 Toyota Corolla. The excellent driving dynamics of the Civic are one of the compact car’s biggest strengths. It delivers a much more enjoyable and engaging driving experience than the Corolla.

Characteristics and features that give the 2023 Civic better driving dynamics than the 2023 Corolla

There are multiple factors that make the 2023 Honda Civic more fun to drive than the 2023 Toyota Corolla. For one, the handling of the Civic is very good. The Civic is responsive, agile, and has a good feel for the road. Part of this is because of its sophisticated independent rear suspension. Also, the wheelbase of the Civic is wider than the Corolla. Furthermore, it provides a smoother ride.

Additionally, while a variable-assist power steering system is standard for all Civic models, it’s not offered for the Corolla. The variable-assist power steering system works by automatically changing the sensitivity of the steering based on how fast the compact car travels. As a result, the system helps give the Civic a more responsive driving experience. Also, it provides greater control, especially when driving at higher speeds and making sharp turns.

Honda Civic offers more powerful engines than the Toyota Corolla

Another driving dynamics advantage of the 2023 Civic over the 2023 Corolla is its more powerful available engines. The strongest engine that the standard Corolla model offers is a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. In comparison, the standard Civic model offers a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, which produces 180 horsepower. Also, there’s the sporty Civic Si. It features another iteration of the turbo-four engine, which delivers 200 horsepower.

Furthermore, for the pinnacle of Civic performance, you can get the redesigned Civic Type R “hot hatch.” It comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that doles out 315 horsepower. The Corolla also offers a “hot hatch” with the all-new GR Corolla. However, its 1.6-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine (300 horsepower) is weaker than the turbo engine in the Civic Type R.

Additional reasons why the 2023 Civic is better than the 2023 Corolla

In addition to being more fun to drive, there are some other reasons why the 2023 Civic is better than the 2023 Corolla. Its cabin is more upscale — with a more modern design, premium features, and high-quality materials. Also, the Civic provides more passenger and storage space than the Corolla.

Plus, while both compact cars are safe vehicles, the Civic offers more safety features. Examples include a rear seat reminder and backup collision prevention brakes. Additionally, the safety-enhancing driving assistance technologies offered for the Civic have greater autonomous capabilities.

With its fun-to-drive nature, the 2023 Honda Civic is better than the 2023 Toyota Corolla in a huge way. When deciding which compact car to get, the better driving dynamics are an important consideration.