Civic vs Altis in Bangkok with 2.0 litre engines!

Toyota has crowned its compact car with a 2.0-litre engine to go head-to-head with Honda. Can it avoid another defeat?



The popularity of the Honda Civic is not
surprising. Ever since its launch four years ago, it has created
several benchmarks in the C-segment (compact) car class that remain to
be beaten by the competition to this day.

There are aspects such as performance, interior space, design and
cabin ergonomics that make the Honda four-door saloon stand out. That's
why it won over the Toyota Corolla in a head-to-head comparison
conducted by Motoring last year in 1.8-litre forms.
And after Honda facelifted the Civic late last year with some
styling tweaks and equipment upgrades, Toyota's riposte came in the
guise of a new range-topping 2.0-litre version of the Corolla tested in
these pages last week.
Toyota has been rather late coming to the 2.0-litre class of
C-segment cars, having previously chosen to leave the field to the
Civic, Mazda 3, Mitsubishi Lancer and Ford Focus.
Speaking of sales, the Civic is at the top of the game. Sure,
2.0-litre compacts are more of image-boosters, but Honda believes
there's a significant number of buyers out there needing a "complete"
compact family car.
That's why Toyota was quick in speccing its new top-of-the-line
Corolla with features usually found in bigger models like the Camry.
Details that separate the Corolla from the Civic are gimmicks like rear
sun shade, that Honda counters with side airbags.

Civic has tidy dash, but sat-nav monitor is not intuitive.

It's really going to boil down to personal preference when it comes
to specification. But don't get scared with their B1m pricetags - both
are more lavishly equipped than the higher-selling 1.8s.

Corolla’s feels more restrained, but has easy-to-use controls.

It is a given that cars in this league must incorporate sportiness
which is why Toyota has deliberately tailored the Corolla with aero
add-ons, rear spoiler and mesh-like front grille.

Civic’s unit is flexible, yet spirited.

Honda's variation comes in a more subtle manner, thanks to a basic
design that already feels sporty in its own right. The only significant
upgrade is the 17-inch alloys.

Corolla’s engine is more about torque.

Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, but the Civic feels sporty
in a way that seems natural. The good-looking alloys effectively fill
the wheel arches and make the car overall a worthy range-topping
compact saloon.

Civic’s looks feel more natural.

Just to refresh your mind, the Civic's mid-life update includes
redesigned front bumper. The doughnut-style theme of the rear lights
has now been replaced by octagonal shapes.

Corolla has aggressive styling.

The Corolla, by contrast, is like the fruit of an after-market
tuner. The aerodynamic kits can clearly be distinguished from the
regular 1.6 and 1.8 versions. It may look sporty, but it appears it has
taken Toyota too much effort when compared with the Civic.
But the opposite is true inside. The Corolla's dashboard feels
better business with classy functions and switches. The three-spoke
steering also helps it look different from the lower Corollas.

Civic’s chassis feels sportier.

The Civic has the same rack as the other variants. And while it is
minimalist and tidy in looks, the cockpit-like dash is marred by a less
user-friendly, cheap-looking interface operating the sat-nav and audio.
Don't think for a moment the Corolla is going to be as good to drive
as it looks suggest. As noted last week, the Corolla is more about
driving comfort. And that includes an engine tuned for torque
tractability rather than power thrills.

Corolla’s chassis is about comfort.

But whatever Toyota had in its mind, the Civic's 2.0-litre engine is
still the better one in performance terms. It's flexible enough low
down, yet offers that kinds of top-end rush not found in the Corolla.
Spirited drivers who love pushing their cars to the engine's limits
will definitely find the Civic more fun and powerful. And while the
Corolla's unit is less vocal, there's still a good deal of refinement
in the Civic. The five-speed automatic transmission in the Civic also
gives better response in the mid-range. The four-speed gearbox of the
Corolla feels more taxing on the legs.


The same goes for the chassis. The Corolla maintains the
comfort-oriented set-up as found in its lower brothers and has no
affiliation with the sporty exterior styling.
The Civic, on the other hand, manages to blend sportiness and
comfort. There's enough suppleness at low speeds, yet without the
sogginess found in the Corolla. Moreover, the Civic has a more direct
and confidence-inspiring steering.
Probably the only area where the Corolla gains is road manners, or
refinement. Due to the bigger wheels and thinner tyres, there's more
noise and harshness in the Civic.
Even so, the Civic is more balanced overall. It's sufficiently
sporty to drive and comfortable enough. The Corolla is about sheer
comfort and nothing about fun.
Having said that, the Civic once again emerges as the winner here -
and more deserving as a range-topper that gives that halo effect to the
rest of the range.
(bangkokpost.com)
my comments:
well the civic beat the altis quite eeasily.
is it the same case with India?

I wouldn't say that this is good and that is bad.
Both, Civic and altis are really good cars and it actaully depends on the customer what he/she wants from the car, Young enthusiats will surely go for the Civic which has got sporty looks but the professionals and people who need status symbol will go for Altis.
Its very tough to decide which is best between both.
By the way, I like the interiors on Bkk version Altis, They are much better than in Indian.


RoadRocket

Though both the cars are in same segment, they can't be actually compared. They both will satisfy buyers of different age groups and preferences. Altis for Comfort and Civic for Sportiness.

Crazy cat wrote:Though both the cars are in same segment, they can't be actually compared. They both will satisfy buyers of different age groups and preferences. Altis for Comfort and Civic for Sportiness.

Absolutely CC, its Altis for comfort and civic for enthusiastics.Both of them are great cars in this segment.

Both are reallly very tough competitiors as they wear a Honda and Toyota badge.
Civic is the most sporites and futuristic looking car where as the Corolla is one of the best selling car in the world, It could be a very tough to decide which best.
But as said, It completely depends on the choice of customer what he wants from the car.


VT

CIVIC's got its own reputation.. I dont think its even necessary to even hold such a contest on who's better than who..
Over the years, for decades, Civic's been 1 of the best tuner cars and the best looking too.. Its most preferred by youngsters for its tuning and sporty reputation.. On the other hand it also satisfies what a middle class person would prefer..
It is a fair deal for its price, ie; its a budget car, its got all that we look in a car should have, and top of all its JAPANESE !!!
So this car satisfies both young enthusiastic, middle class working and also retired public..

Now coming to Corola, this car's a legend... Its the car which changed the world of motoring. During the time when there were huge gas guzzlers around and many people worried about the souring fuel prices, and that was when the COROLLA was born..
So this car's got a reputation for saving the world from gas guzzlers and fuel prices with its small size, especially its small engine.. This car's not meant to fight with civic for getting more sportier, rather, it should keep what its designed for with the modern trends and technologies.. Its a great car, its meant to be sweet, quite, well priced and affordable for a major public. Since, Toyota'a got even cheaper cars like Echo, Yaris, etc.. and eco friendly cars like Prius, I guess thats why they are trying to race against Honda.. if thats the case, I seriously think, they should change the whole concept of Corolla...

well but i am really seeing more of new corolla altis now a days then new civics on road.

is the new facelift of civic launched?

The new facelifted Civic hasn't come yet. As far as comparison between the two is concerned, both are equal and good in their own respective spheres. I would rate both of them equally. You buy whatever suits you the best.