2022 BMW i4 vs 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback

The 2022 BMW i4 had a design that closely mirrored the gasoline-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe, which led to mixed opinions due to its oversized grille and the use of the term "Gran Coupe" for what was essentially a four-door sedan with a rear hatch. Despite this, the i4 was more aerodynamic than its gasoline counterpart, with a drag coefficient of 0.24 for the base model and 0.25 for the M50 version. BMW achieved this through various aerodynamic enhancements, including a smooth underbody and an active grille flap. The i4 featured lighter alloy wheels, with 18-inch wheels standard on the eDrive40 and 19-inch on the M50. The battery pack was mounted below the floor, contributing to structural rigidity, while the use of aluminum in the hood and fenders helped offset the added weight. Inside, the i4 balanced minimalism with traditional BMW elements, featuring a freestanding screen and familiar controls, though leather upholstery was not standard.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share for hatchbacks as other automakers phased them out. Built in Indiana, the Civic hatchback was poised to remind consumers of the practicality and driving enjoyment of hatchbacks. Available in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, the Civic hatchback offered a range of prices and features. The exterior design was similar to the Civic sedan from the front doors forward, but the rear had a distinct hatchback style. Inside, the Civic hatchback shared its design with the sedan, with Sport Touring trim adding digital instrumentation and infotainment displays. The interior featured high-quality materials and controls, though the CVT shifter operation was slightly lacking in sophistication.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered impressive performance with its electric powertrains. The base i4 eDrive40 produced 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, achieving a 0 to 60 mph time of 5.5 seconds, faster than a base RWD Tesla Model 3. The M50 model, with its two-motor powertrain, delivered 536 horsepower and 586 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. Despite its weight, the i4's handling was enhanced by a low center of gravity and advanced suspension systems. The adaptive suspension provided a smooth ride, while the Dynamic Handling Package improved braking and steering. The i4's regenerative braking system offered a natural pedal feel, though the adaptive recuperation system was less predictable.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered two engine options. The LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower, while the EX-L and Sport Touring trims had a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine producing 180 horsepower. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a choice of CVT or manual transmission on certain trims. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, and the manual transmission was praised for its smooth operation. The Civic hatchback provided a comfortable ride with good steering and braking, though it was not designed for aggressive driving. Fuel economy was commendable, with real-world testing nearly matching EPA estimates.

The 2022 BMW i4 offered a low seating position despite the battery pack, but the fastback roof limited headroom. The interior felt open, with an efficiently designed center console. However, the seats were flat and hard, lacking the expected bolstering. The i4 had 10 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors, and lacked a front trunk. The rear seats folded for additional cargo space, but BMW did not provide a maximum cargo volume figure.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a 24.5 cubic feet trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The back seat was a 60/40-split folding design, though the load floor was not flat. All seating positions were comfortable, but the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and rear passengers missed air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the interior featured high-quality materials and thoughtful design elements.

The 2022 BMW i4 featured the latest iDrive8 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central touchscreen. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, navigation, and SiriusXM. Optional features included a head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, and 5G connectivity. The user experience was intuitive, with a rotary controller and effective voice recognition system.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a new infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 9-inch touchscreen on the Sport Touring trim. The Sport Touring also included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The inclusion of physical knobs for sound system controls was a welcome improvement. The voice recognition system worked well, and digital instrumentation was standard across all trims.

The 2022 BMW i4 came with standard driver-assist features such as forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional packages added adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and a 360-degree camera system. Crash-test ratings were not available at the time of publication.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback was equipped with Honda Sensing, which included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Additional features included Traffic Jam Assist and Low-Speed Braking Control on certain trims. The Civic hatchback earned a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS, indicating excellent safety performance.