   2014 Honda Civic Touring. Click image to enlarge |
Value
While these were not exactly equivalent trims, both models tested were within a grand with destination in, so let’s just take a look at them at face value.
Both are very well equipped models, the Civic Touring the top trim at $25,200 with a $1,495 destination fee, and the Corolla S trim starting at $19,215 and adding $985 for the CVT, $3,900 for the Technology package and a $1,520 destination fee. With the Technology package specified on the’Rolla, both have a long list of desirable features, including: 17-inch alloys, fog lights, disc brakes, proximity keyless entry with push-button start, smart key system, auto climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, satellite radio, navigation, eight-way power adjustable driver seat, heated seats and power slide and tilt moonroof.
About the only difference was the real versus simulated leather seating surfaces (frankly, I would have trouble picking the real leather in a blind test) and the Civic’s LaneWatch camera versus the Corolla’s high-tech and impressively illuminating LED headlights, so that’s pretty much a wash. All that for one thousand less in a Corolla and we give the value edge to Toyota.
And while we aren’t really factoring in styling, we both like the looks of the Corolla better inside and out, and that was also the consensus when we had the larger comparison, so we feel that adds to the overall value in many people’s minds.
Affordability
Affordability does not end with the purchase price or financing deal you’ve settled on. The biggest cost of vehicle ownership is actually depreciation, and here Honda has a slight edge, the brand earning ALG’s 2014 Residual Value Award (and 2013), and the Civic placing third in the compact segment. The Civic receives a top 5 Star Rating from ALG, while the Corolla ranks only a 3 Star Rating.
   2014 Toyota Corolla S. Click image to enlarge |
Going across the aisle and looking at Canadian Black Book 2014 Best Retained Value, neither the Corolla nor Civic makes the podium, though Toyota claims six category wins to Honda’s two.
  2014 Honda Civic Touring & 2014 Toyota Corolla S. Click image to enlarge |
Vincentric gives the brand award for value (based on cost of ownership projections) to Toyota, but the Civic Sedan wins the compact sedan segment in the US (in Canada it is edged out by the Jetta TDI), and kbb.com (Kelley Blue Book) likewise honours the Toyota brand as the Best Resale Value, but the Civic again shows up on the podium in the compact segment in second place. Dig a little deeper, though, and Kelley Blue Book finds the Corolla the best in class in terms of 5-Year Cost to Own, a combination of insurance, fuel, financing, repairs, maintenance and depreciation.
For reliability, we turn to J.D. Power, which finds the Civic the highest rated Compact in their 2013 Initial Quality Study, with the previous-generation 2013 Corolla not far behind and the brands separated by one point in the brand rankings. For JD Power’s 2014 Vehicle Dependability Study, the 2011 Civic trails only the Volt, and Toyota ties Honda in the brand rankings.
If you want one more prediction regarding long-term cost of ownership, I consulted a trusted source and asked whether the Civic and Corolla will be reliable, cost little to run and hold their value and my Magic 8-Ball foretells: “Most likely”.
Where does all that leave us? All this is to say that both the Corolla and Civic are paragons of reliability and long-term value. You really can’t go wrong and the odds are in favour of you getting a low-maintenance non-lemon that will serve you well for years.
