Honda Should Be Concerned About The Toyota Corolla Hybrid's Price And Efficiency

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3 days ago

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Compact cars get more efficient
Compact cars are known for being more efficient than their larger counterparts, and they get even more efficient in hybrid form. The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have one of the industry's most intense rivalries, and now it looks like that battle is extending into the hybrid realm. With the addition of the Honda Civic Hybrid to the range for the 2025 model year, these Japanese compact sedans were destined to go tire-to-tire eventually.
2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring Hybrid —
Source: Honda
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is more affordable
The Honda Civic Hybrid is available in both sedan and hatchback bodystyles. In sedan form, the 2026 Civic Sport Hybrid is priced from $29,295. It rides on black 18-inch alloy wheels, with LED lighting and heated side mirrors. Inside, the Civic Sport Hybrid features red ambient lighting, sport pedals, and heated seats. A seven-inch touchscreen display comes standard, along with eight speakers and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The Sport Touring Hybrid starts at $32,295, with upgrades that include a nine-inch touchscreen display, a premium Bose 12-speaker audio system, and wireless smartphone connectivity and charging.
2025 Honda Civic Hybrid —
Source: Honda
The Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback comes with a similar set of amenities, minus the red ambient lighting and a few other features. Like in the sedan, there's a $3,000 difference between the two available trim levels. The Sport Hybrid model will cost you $30,495, while the top-spec Sport Touring Hybrid is priced from $33,495.
The Toyota Corolla Hybrid is only available in sedan body style, but it significantly undercuts its Japanese competitor in price. In base form, the Corolla Hybrid LE starts at $23,825, which is more than $5,000 cheaper than the Honda Civic Hybrid in either body style. Practicality is the name of the game, and the base Corolla Hybrid rolls out on 16-inch wheels complemented by LED headlights. Toyota has been upping its tech game, though, and all Corolla Hybrid models come with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid —
Source: Toyota
The Hybrid SE offers a sportier look, but opting for the mid-tier model will cost you $26,265. That price tag nets you a few notable upgrades, including 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport mesh black front grille with LED lighting, and sport seats. The Hybrid SE also sees wireless smartphone charging added to its standard equipment. The Hybrid XLE, starting at $28,190, is designed for comfort with a handful of upscale amenities, like SofTex-trimmed heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
The 2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is incredibly efficient
Toyota is known for practicality over frills, and the Corolla Hybrid definitely got the memo. Designed to offer transportation and little else, the Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE and XLE earn up to 53 mpg in the city and 46 mpg on the highway, for a combined 50 mpg. The sportier SE trim sees fuel economy drop three miles per gallon across the board due to its larger wheels. Unfortunately, Toyota doesn't currently offer a hybrid-powered Corolla hatchback.
2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid —
Source: Steven Paul
Make no mistake – driving the Toyota Corolla Hybrid isn't going to be a thrill ride. Under the hood lies a 1.8-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine that produces just 138 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, Toyota offers all-wheel drive as an optional upgrade to the tune of $1,400, but performance remains the same. Adding all-wheel drive reduces fuel economy to 51 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway in the Corolla Hybrid LE model.
Both 2026 Honda Civic Hybrid models earn similar fuel economy, which makes sense considering they share the same hybrid powertrain. The sedan is the more efficient option, earning up to 50 mpg in the city and 47 mpg on the highway, for a combined 49 mpg. The hatchback model earns 50 mpg in the city as well, but fuel economy drops by two miles per gallon, leading to a combined 48 mpg.
2025 Honda Civic Hybrid —
Source: Honda
The Honda Civic Hybrid comes equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. It produces a combined 200 horsepower, significantly more than its Toyota counterpart. Honda only offers the Civic Hybrid with front-wheel drive, though, so if you want an all-wheel drivetrain, you'll have to opt for the Corolla Hybrid.
Final thoughts
The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are two of the industry's most well-known nameplates, with the latter standing as one of the best-selling vehicles in the world. With the addition of a hybrid-powered Civic, their rivalry ignites in yet another segment. While the Honda Civic Hybrid is available in both body styles, neither can compete with the Toyota Corolla Hybrid's price. If all you care about is transportation, then Toyota's offering is the way to go. If you want a little more engaged driving experience while earning similar fuel economy, the Civic Hybrid's 200 horsepower goes a long way.
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Joseph Pudlewski View Profile