2027 Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla: Price, MPG, Space and Safety

The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are the default compact sedans for a lot of American buyers, and both now lean on hybrids. The timing is uneven for 2027, though: Toyota has priced and launched the 2027 Corolla, while Honda has priced only the 2027 Civic Type R and is still previewing technology for its next-generation Civic. This comparison uses only official numbers from Toyota, Honda, the EPA, NHTSA and IIHS. For Honda’s plans, see our 2027 Honda Civic report.

What Is Confirmed for the 2027 Civic and Corolla?

Toyota says the 2027 Corolla arrives at dealers this fall, with a 2,500-unit 60th Anniversary Special Edition, based on the Hybrid SE, following in early 2027. Honda says Civic Si production pauses at the end of the 2026 model year (Honda). Honda’s next-generation e:HEV technology page describes a new hybrid system, but Honda has not tied US specifications or a date to the Civic.

Which Costs Less: Civic or Corolla?

Corolla prices are confirmed 2027 MSRPs from Toyota.com and Toyota’s release; Civic prices are Honda’s 2026 sedan MSRPs (Honda). All exclude destination; Honda lists a $1,195 destination charge for the 2026 Civic sedan.

Corolla leads on starting price by $1,370 and on hybrid entry price by $4,220 (Hybrid LE vs Civic Sport Hybrid). Even the top Corolla Hybrid XLE ($29,540) costs only $145 more than the cheapest Civic Hybrid. Honda also sells the Civic as a hatchback, from $27,795 for the 2026 Sport and $30,495 for the Sport Hybrid. If Honda raises Civic prices for 2027, the gap could change, so check Honda’s 2027 pricing when it is released.

How Do the Civic and Corolla Powertrains Compare?

Corolla leads on gas-engine output: 169 hp and 151 lb-ft versus 150 hp and 133 lb-ft. Civic leads on hybrid output by a wide margin: 200 hp versus 138 hp, per Honda’s 2026 Civic sedan specifications. Corolla leads on drivetrain choice because only it offers all-wheel drive. For performance buyers, Honda’s 2027 Civic Type R is priced at $48,695 with an EPA rating of 22 city, 28 highway and 24 mpg combined (Honda); Toyota’s GR Corolla is a separate hatchback model not covered here.

Which Gets Better Gas Mileage?

Corolla figures are 2027 EPA ratings (FuelEconomy.gov). Civic figures are 2026 EPA ratings (FuelEconomy.gov), because the EPA has not posted a 2027 Civic sedan or hybrid.

Corolla leads on best hybrid rating, 50 versus 49 mpg combined, though the EPA puts both at $1,350 a year in fuel. The Civic Hybrid sedan has the higher highway rating (47 vs 46 mpg). Civic leads on gas-model economy: the LX rates 36 mpg combined versus 35 for the Corolla LE, and the Civic Sport (34 mpg) beats the other gas Corolla versions (33 mpg). The EPA’s side-by-side view shows the two hybrids together.

Which Has More Trunk Space?

Civic leads on trunk space. The EPA lists 15 cubic feet of luggage space for the Civic sedan and 13 cubic feet for the Corolla sedan, and Honda’s own figure is 14.8 cubic feet. The size gap shows in the EPA classes too: the Civic sedan is classified as a midsize car by interior volume, the Corolla as a compact. Honda lists 99.0 cubic feet of passenger volume for the gas Civic sedan (96.6 for the hybrid); Toyota does not publish a comparable figure in the sources we used.

Which Is Safer: Civic or Corolla?

Civic leads on crash ratings. NHTSA’s database shows 5-star overall ratings for the 2027 Civic sedan, sedan hybrid and hatchback, with 4-star frontal, 5-star side and 5-star rollover scores (NHTSA data). The 2027 Corolla and Corolla Hybrid have 5-star frontal and 4-star rollover ratings but no side or overall rating yet (NHTSA data).

At IIHS, the 2026 Civic sedan carries a 2025 Top Safety Pick award: Good in the small overlap and updated side tests, Acceptable in the updated moderate overlap test, and Good headlights. The 2026 Corolla sedan is rated Good in the small overlap and updated side tests and Marginal in the updated moderate overlap test, which keeps it off the award list despite Good headlights and Good front crash prevention.

Which Has the Better Warranty?

Basic coverage is a tie. Toyota lists a 36-month/36,000-mile basic warranty and 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain coverage for the 2027 Corolla, and Honda states 3 years/36,000 miles and 5 years/60,000 miles for new Honda vehicles (Honda). One change to note: Toyota’s 2027 Corolla release lists ToyotaCare maintenance for 1 year or 10,000 miles, plus 2 years of roadside assistance (Toyota). Neither 2027 source we used lists hybrid battery terms, so ask the dealer for the written hybrid warranty on either car.

Civic vs Corolla Scorecard: Who Leads on What?

Which Should You Buy: 2027 Civic or Corolla?

If price, hybrid fuel economy or all-wheel drive tops your list, the Corolla leads on those numbers today, and its 2027 pricing and EPA ratings are already confirmed. If you want more hybrid power, a bigger trunk and the stronger published crash ratings, the Civic leads. Buyers who want the next-generation Civic should wait for Honda’s official announcement, because Honda has not said when it arrives or what it costs.

Shopping a size up? Our 2027 Toyota Camry guide covers Toyota’s hybrid midsize sedan, and the 2027 Toyota RAV4 guide covers the compact SUV alternative.

Morgan Reyes

Morgan Reyes is the founder and editor-in-chief of NextCarReview, which Morgan launched in August 2024. A 2022 graduate of Columbia University, Morgan is based in New York and writes and edits the site’s reviews, comparisons and buying guides. Morgan does not road-test vehicles. Every article is built from published primary data: EPA FuelEconomy.gov ratings, NHTSA crash ratings, recalls and owner complaints, IIHS results, and manufacturer specifications and pricing, with each figure cited and checked before publication. Contact: admin@nextcarreview.com

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