Compare the2023 Toyota PriusVS 2024 Honda Civic

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics

Safety

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The Prius has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Civic doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Prius has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Civic doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The Prius Limited offers an optional Panoramic View Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Civic only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Prius has standard Rear Cross Traffic Alert to warn the driver of approaching traffic and automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision. Only the Civic EX/EX-L/Touring/Sport Touring offers Cross Traffic Monitor and the Civic’s Cross Traffic Monitor does not include automatic braking.

The Prius has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Civic doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Prius and the Civic have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and driver alert monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Toyota Prius is safer than the Civic Sedan:

	Prius	Civic
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	268 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	67 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Torso Max Deflection	1.46 in	1.85 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	10 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1138 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	89 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Shoulder Deflection	1.42 in	1.89 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	379 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.06 in	1.61 in
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	5 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, daytime pedestrian crash prevention, and nighttime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Prius its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2023, a rating granted to only 36 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Civic is only a standard “Top Safety Pick” for 2023.

Warranty

There are over 16 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Honda dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Prius’ warranty.

Reliability

The battery on the Prius is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Prius’ battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The Civic’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Prius’ reliability 22 points higher than the Civic.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Honda is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Honda vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Honda is ranked fifth.

Engine

The Prius’ standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 36 more horsepower (194 vs. 158) than the Civic LX/Sport’s standard 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Prius’ 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 14 more horsepower (194 vs. 180) than the Civic EX/EX-L/Touring’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder. The Prius’ optional 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 16 more horsepower (196 vs. 180) than the Civic EX/EX-L/Touring’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Prius 2.0 is faster than the Honda Civic:

	Prius	Civic LX/Sport	Civic EX/EX-L/Touring
Zero to 60 MPH	7.1 sec	8.8 sec	7.5 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.1 sec	9.1 sec	8.1 sec
Passing 30 to 50 MPH	4 sec	4.3 sec	4 sec
Passing 50 to 70 MPH	5 sec	5.7 sec	5.1 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.9 sec	15.8 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	92 MPH	86 MPH	91 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Civic Sedan:

			MPG
Prius
FWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	57 city/56 hwy
		XLE/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	52 city/52 hwy
AWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		XLE/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/50 hwy
Civic Sedan
FWD	Auto	EX 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	33 city/42 hwy
		LX 2.0 4-cyl.	31 city/40 hwy
		Touring 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	31 city/38 hwy
		Sport 2.0 4-cyl.	30 city/37 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the Prius gets better mileage than the Civic Hatchback:

			MPG
Prius
FWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	57 city/56 hwy
		XLE/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	52 city/52 hwy
AWD	Auto	LE 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	53 city/54 hwy
		XLE/Limited 2.0 4-cyl. Hybrid	49 city/50 hwy
Civic Hatchback
FWD	Manual	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	28 city/37 hwy
		2.0 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	EX-L 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	31 city/39 hwy
		LX 2.0 4-cyl.	30 city/38 hwy
		Sport Touring 1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	30 city/37 hwy
		Sport 2.0 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy

Regenerative brakes improve the Prius’ fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The Civic doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Prius uses regular unleaded gasoline. The Civic EX/EX-L/Touring requires premium for maximum efficiency, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Toyota Prius higher (7 out of 10) than the Honda Civic (6 to 7). This means the Prius produces up to 1.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Civic every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Prius AWD-e’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Civic:

	Prius AWD-e	Civic
Front Rotors	12 inches	11.1 inches
Rear Rotors	11 inches	10.2 inches

The Prius stops shorter than the Civic:

	Prius	Civic
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	176 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Prius LE has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the Civic LX. The Prius XLE/Limited’s 19-inch wheels are larger than the 18-inch wheels on the Civic Sport/Touring.

Suspension and Handling

The Prius Limited handles at .87 G’s, while the Civic Touring Sedan pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Prius LE’s turning circle is 1.7 feet tighter than the Civic LX/EX/EX-L’s (34.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet). The Prius XLE/Limited’s turning circle is 2.7 feet tighter than the Civic Sport/Touring’s (35.4 feet vs. 38.1 feet).

Chassis

The front grille of the Prius uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Civic doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The Prius has .9 inches more front legroom, .4 inches more front hip room and 2.8 inches more rear hip room than the Civic.

Cargo Capacity

The Prius has a much larger trunk than the Civic Sedan (23.8 vs. 14.8 cubic feet).

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Prius’ hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the Civic’s useful trunk space.

The Prius’ standard folding rear seats are split to accommodate bulky cargo. The Civic LX Sedan/Sport Sedan’s standard single piece folding rear seat is not as flexible; long cargo and a passenger can’t share the rear seat.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Prius Limited has a standard power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The Civic doesn’t offer a power trunk.

Ergonomics

When two different drivers share the Prius Limited, the memory seats make it convenient for both. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position. The Civic doesn’t offer memory seats.

The Prius Limited’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Civic doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The power windows standard on both the Prius and the Civic have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Prius is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Civic prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Prius’ front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Civic’s rear power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them fully.

If the windows are left open on the Prius the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Civic can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Prius LE’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The Civic LX/Sport’s standard fixed intermittent wipers only have one fixed delay setting, so the driver will have to manually switch them between slow and intermittent.

The Prius’ standard outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. Honda only offers heated mirrors on the Civic EX/EX-L/Touring/Sport Touring.

Both the Prius and the Civic offer available heated front seats. The Prius Limited also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Civic.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the Prius Limited keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Civic doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

On extremely cold winter days, the Prius XLE/Limited’s standard heated steering wheel provides comfort, allowing the driver to steer safely and comfortably before the car heater warms up. The Civic doesn’t offer a heated steering wheel.

The Prius’ optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Civic doesn’t offer an automated parking system.