Two compacts that have survived every market swing — SUV mania included — because they're simply good at being cars. The decision comes down to a question only you can answer: do you want your appliance to be perfect, or your appliance to be a little bit fun?
The case for the Corolla
The Corolla is the most dependable nameplate in the business, full stop. Toyota also offers it as a hybrid at a price that makes it one of the cheapest ways into 50-MPG territory ever sold in America, and the standard safety suite is generous at every trim. As pure transportation measured in dollars per trouble-free mile, the Corolla might be the single best value in the entire car market.
It is also, to be honest, a bit dull. Toyota knows its buyer, and that buyer doesn't care.
The case for the Civic
The Civic is the better car in nearly every way you can feel from the driver's seat: more refined ride, far better steering, a roomier cabin with a cleaner design, and stronger engines — especially the upper trims' turbo. It's the compact that doesn't feel like a compromise, and it holds value almost as fiercely as the Toyota. Young drivers, enthusiasts on a budget, and anyone who notices how a car drives will be happier here.
Our pick
Commuter on a budget, maximizing reliability per dollar: Corolla, ideally the hybrid. Anyone who cares even slightly about the experience of driving: Civic, and you'll never think about the Corolla again. The price difference is small; the character difference is not.