2009 Toyota Corolla VS. 2009 Honda Civic

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2009 Toyota Corolla

Styling and Trims

The Corolla comes in Standard, LE and XLE trim levels; most include an automatic transmission. Click here to see a comparison with the 2008 model. A sportier version is offered in S or XRS trims, while the redesigned Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe serve as hatchback offshoots. I drove a Corolla LE.

Most trim levels, including the one I drove, have a 1.8-liter four-cylinder. As I've generally found to be the norm among compact cars, the Corolla's accelerator responds with a light touch, giving the engine an eager feeling around town. Highway acceleration is less energetic, where the Corolla's four-speed automatic becomes something of a liability, especially if you're carrying passengers. Prompting the transmission to kick down from fourth to third takes a concerted prod on the gas, and accelerating from 30 to 50 mph sometimes requires second gear and quite a bit of engine noise to get up to speed. The Honda Civic, which we had in the Cars.com fleet the week before the Corolla, has a five-speed automatic, and its drivetrain feels decidedly more up to the task of high-speed passing.

Though I didn't drive the Corolla XRS, I've driven that engine in the new Matrix, and it's a remarkably flexible powertrain. Its mileage penalty is significant, though: In the Corolla XRS it returns 22/29 mpg (city/highway) with a stick or 22/30 with an automatic, compared to 27/35 mpg with the 1.8-liter engine and either transmission.

Exterior Walkaround

The Corolla's latest expression, which Toyota says it developed with the help of design studios in Italy, seems more aggressive than that of the Japanese-market Corolla. Triangular headlights and an indentation in the grille for Toyota's logo make it similar to the larger Camry, while the tail recalls the outgoing Corolla's. It's an orderly look that takes few risks, and I doubt that it will deter someone from buying this vehicle.

I found the bisque color to be pleasant and make the car appear sporty, where the beige exterior aged the vehicle quite a bit and made it appeal a bit more towards the older buyer.

Interior Styling

 For the most part, the Corolla's cabin seems affably tidy. The two-tone dash in my test car had consistent, if not outstanding, quality, and everything from the center controls to the gauges seemed tailored for straightforward usability. The turn signals and window switches operate with precisely fitted movements, and though most plastics are hard to the touch, overall fit and finish is respectable. Storage areas abound, with two stacked glove compartments, an ample center console and even small pockets flanking the center controls.

Safety Ratings

 The 2009 Corolla earned the highest score, Good, in frontal crash tests from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. IIHS has not yet evaluated the car for side-impacts. The Corolla's six standard airbags include side-impact airbags for the front seats and side curtain airbags for both rows. Active front head restraints and antilock brakes are also standard; a number of competitors make ABS optional.

Gas mileage and safety credentials lend the Corolla plenty of textbook appeal, and if the car's 40-year history is any indication, the latest version should prove as reliable as the sunrise. It's the sort of choice born out of your inner sense of responsibility a solid pick for anyone looking to save on mileage and drive a reliable vehicle for many years without losing much value.

2009 Honda Civic

New for 2009

 The 2009 Honda Civic gets a freshened look. The Civic continues holds its position at the top of the highly competitive compact class, thanks to innovative styling, refinement, Honda reliability, and a broad model line that ranges from the eco-friendly Civic Hybrid to the racy Civic Si.

All 2009 Civics present a fresh face to the world, with a new bumper and grille up front, and new headlight and taillight color combinations. Uplevel models feature new alloy wheel designs as well.

Trims and Styling

The Honda Civic comes in coupe and sedan versions. Civic DX, LX, and EX models share a 140-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with a standard five-speed manual transmission. A five-speed automatic ($800) is optional. Two new trim levels, the DX-VP and LX-S, have been added for 2009.
Some optional features include: cruise control, power locks with keyless entry, power moonroof, a second aux outlet for your Ipod or MP3 player, audio controls on the steering wheel, an upgraded stereo and speaker system for added clarity during your cd playback, as well as a chrome exhaust finisher.

The Honda Civic sedans and coupes don't share any body panels. Details and markings distinguish each trim level. The 2009 Honda Civic sedan presents a bolder face to the world, thanks mainly to a new front bumper cover. Where the previous bumper looked solid and heavy, with a single, subtle horizontal opening at the center, the new design incorporates a taller, more trapezoidal center opening with secondary scoop-like openings on either side.

A grid-like insert in the center opening contrasts with a kind of cyclone-fence theme in the side scoops. These changes break up some of the visual mass of the bumper. The upper grille opening is also more angular than before, which goes well with the changes below. As before, a bright horizontal bar, with a prominent Honda H in the middle, dominates the upper grille. Slender headlamp assemblies still angle upwards as they curve around the fenders. Revisions to the headlights are more subtle, consisting only of where and how the color seems to show through the existing lenses. Around back, a bright chrome bar now connects the taillights just above the indentation for the license plate.

Comfort and Fabrics

We find the Civic LX sedan the most comfortable model. The DX edges more toward spartan inside, while the EX heads toward lush. Fit and finish meet Honda standards. Plastic trim elements look high-grade, although the multi-piece dash invites concern about high-mileage squeaks and buzzes.

Many of the fabrics in the Civic's interior are new for 2009, including those on the inner doors and armrests. The sport seats in the new LX-S are particularly handsome.

Seats are comfortable, not plush. Seat bottoms provide better than average thigh support. The manual height adjustment on the driver's seat pivots on front hinges, forcing drivers to choose between seat height and legroom. The Si models get sport front seats with synthetic suede upholstery and more aggressive bolsters both bottom and side for improved support.

First Drive 2009

 We like driving Honda Civics. We found ride quality in the Honda Civic solid but not overly firm, with less road noise and wind whistle than is common for the class. The exceptionally stiff chassis gives the Civic a solid and planted feel. The brake feel is solid as well. Thoroughly modern front and rear suspension designs deliver impressive stability and certain steering response. The long wheelbase smoothes the ride.

The five-speed automatic is just that, a select-it-and-leave-it transmission, and it does the job admirably. We do wish, though, that Honda would insert a tab below the D setting in the gate, as we sometimes shifted past it when shifting out of Park or Reverse and ended up in the D3 notch.

2009 Conclusions

The 2009 Toyota Corolla is an underrated vehicle. People will love its peppy ride while maintaining comfort with luxury. It isn't an expensive interior by any means, but it does the job at an inexpensive rate."Truth be told, it is a nifty way to get around." says Marketwatch The 2009 Honda Civic does the same and adds a little bit of stylistic design to the interior and exterior styling. "Honda knows how to time things. Just as fuel costs have prompted Americans to say 'Whoa, Mamma Joe!' on their personal appetites for fuel...Honda is ready to receive them with its fuel-sipping Civic lineup." says Car and Drive Both are quick cars, and both get great mileage. The final decision will more than likely come down to which company has financing available when the buyer is looking to buy.