2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid vs 2023 Honda Civic Comparison

The 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is priced as a direct competitor to the 2023 Honda Civic. This is a game changer for shoppers. There’s no financial penalty for choosing the best powertrain for your budget.

Motor Trend calls the “efficient and affordable” Corolla “the sweet spot” of the lineup. Here’s what you need to know about this small car vs its big rival, the Honda Civic.

1. Cost to Buy

   Now the least expensive Toyota, the new Corolla sedan lineup starts at a much lower base price than the Civic. Even better, the 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE has an MSRP that is about $2,200 cheaper than the 2023 Honda Civic Sport.

   The Corolla Hybrid XLE and SE also cost less than the Honda Civic EX and Civic Touring.

   Of course, the price will vary depending on demand and other factors. However, it is nice to know that you start out with a lower price point when you put the Corolla Hybrid first on your test drive list. This gives shoppers more wiggle room when looking at trim levels and add-ons. With the affordable Infrared model, the owner can enjoy sporty red accents throughout the cabin.

2. Long-lasting Reputation

   An inexpensive car should be reliable transportation. That's one thing the Toyota Corolla has nailed for generations. It has made the Corolla a top-selling car year after year. That’s how the current model maintains its top seller status over the Civic sedan and hatchback.

   As a hybrid car, the Corolla Hybrid promises greater viability in the changing marketplace. It won’t suddenly be out of date as more hybrids and electrics reach the market.

   Toyota has been making hybrids for two decades. These have been improved over the years with bigger and better batteries and capability.

3. Fuel Economy

   There’s no denying that the 2023 Honda Civic has met its match when it comes to fuel efficiency this model year. The Corolla Hybrid LE and XLE models earn 53 miles per gallon in the city. To be clear, this is achieved without plugging in the battery.

   Hybrid batteries keep their charge and are recharged by their powertrain system. The beefy battery is one reason that the Corolla Hybrid can earn 46 miles per gallon on the highway.

   The combined rate of efficiency is 50 miles per gallon. In comparison, the Civic earns 34 miles per gallon combined. While that’s a good rate for a gas vehicle, it can’t compete with the Corolla hybrid powertrain.

   Even the AWD Hybrid SE Corolla trim earns better fuel economy. It utilizes dual electric motors to achieve all wheel drive action you won’t find on Honda’s small sedan.

4. Driving Range and Gasoline Grade

   Some hybrids require premium gas, but the Corolla Hybrid does not! It is just like the Civic. It only needs regular, the least expensive gas at the pump. 

   We will admit that the Civic has a bigger fuel tank. It can hold 12.4 gallons. The Corolla Hybrid tank is one-gallon smaller.

   Nonetheless, the Corolla Hybrid can go some 570 miles on a fuel tank. That’s about 150 miles more than the Honda Civic Touring, according to the fuel calculator at the U.S. Department of Energy website.

   

   The 2023 Corolla Hybrid doesn’t have any worries when it comes to driving range because it is not an all electric car. As previously stated, these hybrids don’t require plugging in to generate electricity.

5. Driver Aids

   Both the Civic and Corolla Hybrid offer today’s driver aids. The standard package includes a forward collision system, a lane departure warning, a lane steering assist, and adaptive cruise control. Additional standards for both include road sign assistance and automatic high beams.

   Although it costs less, the 2023 Toyota Hybrid has two standards that cost extra on the already higher priced Civic. Blind spot monitoring for forward travel and a cross assist for parking maneuvers are Toyota standard safety features on every vehicle.

6. Infotainment System and Interior Amenities

   Both vehicles offer a well stocked interior. Among the standards, you’ll find automatic temperature controls, an advanced Smart Key, and push button start. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are universal in both lineups.

   However, it’s easy to argue that the Corolla Hybrid is better stocked for the money. For starters, it has an 8-inch standard touchscreen whereas the Honda has a 7-inch screen. Toyota includes four standard USB ports while Honda includes just one standard USB port.

   As for size, the Toyota matches the Honda for front-seat wiggle room. The Honda second row does have more legroom, but the Toyota second row is definitely adult-sized.

   Likewise the Honda claims a bigger trunk, but the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is suitably sized for this small car. Plus the Hybrid LE has a split-fold second row with center armrest and cup holders To get these useful features on the Civic, you have to buy the higher priced EX or Touring trim.

7. Warranty Coverage

   When it comes to warranty coverage, the two vehicles are similar with three-year bumper-to-bumper coverage and five-year powertrain coverage.

   However, the Corolla Hybrid owner enjoys additional perks. The hybrid components are covered for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles while the hybrid battery is covered for up to ten years or 150,000 miles. That’s a lot of peace of mind for the budget buyer.

8. Cost to Own

   If your budget is especially strict, ownership costs may be as important to you as the purchase price. Your fuel economy is, of course, a major aspect of the cost to own a vehicle. That’s why we gathered some financial data from the fuel calculator. This tool shows that, despite the Civic’s relatively good gas mileage, it still can’t save you the kind of money that the Corolla Hybrid will.

   

   Every 25 miles, the Corolla Hybrid requires $1.67 worth of fuel at average prices. The same distance traveled by a 2023 Honda Civic Sport will cost $2.46. Over time, that adds up to an extra $450 in a year. That’s about $2,250 over five years. For budget buyers, those numbers are a game changer.

Conclusion

With so much to recommend it, the 2023 Corolla Hybrid definitely deserves the first test drive. You’ve got a variety to choose from. Check out the inventory at Earnhardt Toyota dealer serving Phoenix AZ.