Toyota, Nissan, Honda: which is better? Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic - are they really that good.

Auto 25.12.2017
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The Japanese brand expects to switch to turbocharged engines in the near future, this applies not least to Toyota's super-popular sedan,. The famous model will get a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, turbocharged gasoline engine under its hood. In the medium term (over the next few years), such engines will become the basis of many and.

See also: The best new cars with a two-liter turbo engine

Logically, the new turbo engine will have to replace the six-cylinder engine. As was previously known, another common model, now from the luxury brand of the Japanese corporation Toyota Motor, Lexus, will place a 241 hp four-cylinder under its hood. and 349 Nm of torque. The engine will be paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

In Russia, Camry is now offered with three types of gasoline engines to choose from. The base sedan is equipped with a 2.0 liter engine with 149 hp, a more powerful 2.5 liter naturally aspirated version develops 181 hp. The top version is equipped with a 3.5 liter engine with 249 hp. under the hood.

Prices, according to the official website of Toyota in Russia, start at 1,160,000 rubles for an entry-level Camry with a 2.0 liter gasoline engine and end, taking into account all discounts and Trade-in bonuses, at around 1,690,000 rubles for a 3.5 liter engine in the configuration " Lux.


If we turn to foreign sources and look at the topic more globally, it turns out that not only Toyota, but the entire “Big Japanese Three” (,) is ready to make a technological breakthrough and, albeit belatedly, but join European automakers in terms of increasing capacity and reducing consumption fuel with turbines.

And Toyota and you will not see a single car with a turbine under the hood. Nissan has this moment there are only two models that have turbines, an urban crossover and.

Meanwhile, turbocharged engines are being used extensively, as well as more and more American and Korean models with this vital option.

What explains such a late “start” for the Japanese? Until now, they simply did not need turbines.

"The Japanese were able to wait longer before using these technologies because they could afford it." Ed Kim, vice president of industry analysis at AutoPacific, said.

Honda, Toyota and Nissan had many models that were at or near the top of their segment in terms of fuel efficiency without the use of technologies such as turbocharging, direct injection and multi-speed and CVT transmissions, and if they did use them, it was much less often. than other competitors in the industry.

"The Japanese could afford not to be at the forefront of the advanced motor technology race for many years."

This approach has made Japanese companies attractive to both car buyers and government regulators looking at emissions and fuel economy. The strategy saved automakers a huge amount of money that they could invest in long-term developments, such as an electric car or hydrogen fuel cell cars from Toyota and .

Why did the "Japanese Big Three" start developing new technologies?


Japanese brands have reached the limit of the effectiveness of old technologies. To keep up with rivals from other continents and improve efficiency and sustainability, the trio plans to make big changes in the next five years.

Honda will put turbochargers on its most popular and hyped products. The new Civic, which debuted this year, has already received a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. and will also use this engine.

These three models form the backbone of Honda's lineup, and in 2014 they accounted for more than 1 million sales or 68 percent of Honda Motor's total sales in the US alone. It is not surprising that new units will be installed on these models in the first place.

Toyota's approach will be more measured in the coming years. The 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine will replace V6 engines in several Toyota and Lexus models, including the Camry and Lexus IS. We talked about this at the beginning of the article.

Nissan, meanwhile, has focused on CVTs and the development of direct injection technologies to improve the efficiency of its cars. Turbines for Nissan will appear later than for Honda and Toyota.


P.S. Not all changes from Japan will be under the hood. Nissan, Honda and Toyota plan to catch up on the infotainment system. So we are getting ready for updated models from Japan. They will have something to surprise us with!

What is the difference between different Japanese cars

Today (as, indeed, in the last ten years), Blagoveshchensk has the most Japanese-made cars. According to Blagoveshchensk car dealers, Toyota ranks first in popularity, followed by Honda, followed immediately by Nissan, followed by Subaru cars.

What are the features of each manufacturer and which of these brands are easier to maintain, Fellow Traveler found out.

Nissan representative.

"Nissan"

At one time, this brand was famous for executive class cars. Now the manufacturer focuses more on sports cars. At one time, the Nissan Skyline was very popular in Blagoveshchensk - a car beloved by local "drifters", that is, young people driving around the city at night.

However, now these models have become almost unaffordable due to high duties on cars with large engine sizes.



Honda representative.

"Honda"

A manufacturer mainly specialized in sports cars. This is evidenced by the fact that at the ice races held in Chigiry, 85 - 90 percent of the participating cars have the Honda brand.

Of course, not all cars are sports cars. However, when compared with other manufacturers, then with the same engine size, the Honda engine power is higher.

By the way, the peculiarity of cars of this brand is that they practically do not have large engine volumes (usually no more than two liters). They achieve high power due to their own secret technologies that each manufacturer has. In addition, according to car service specialists, Honda’s “electronic filling” is more complicated than that of other brands, which complicates its repair.

However, according to Blagoveshchensk specialists, their depreciation is weaker. On smooth roads it is imperceptible, but where the road is not very good, it is felt.



Toyota representative.

"Toyota"

The main reason why on Far East, and in particular in our city, these cars managed to take a leading position in the auto market - they have the widest model range, - explains Alexey Ozhereliev, head of the Capital of Spare Parts company. “Toyota makes everything from small cars to trucks, from convertibles to sedans, from diesel engines to gasoline and hybrid engines, from cheap to expensive. By the way, in Japan, this brand is also the most common.

It is not surprising that Toyotas are the easiest to service in Blagoveshchensk. It is easy to find spare parts for them, and most car services are “sharpened” for car repairs of this particular brand. By the way, they are also made by the Chinese. True, the quality of such parts remains controversial - the loads that "native" spare parts are capable of, they may simply not withstand. It is especially risky to install spare parts related to the chassis, their failure can lead to sad consequences.

Opinion

- "Honda" and "Nissan" are the most difficult to service, - they told us in the "Avtobucks" complex. - The design of the car is such that it is very difficult to get to certain parts in the car, for this you need to remove many other parts. It is problematic to find replacement parts; for Honda, for example, they mainly sell Chinese ones, which are often not suitable. You have to either modify them or purchase original Japanese parts. The situation is similar with Nissan - you can find parts for minor repairs, but if the breakdown is more or less serious, then they have to be ordered.

By the way

What do young people love?

Subaru is a brand beloved by young people. Cars are powerful, fast, often used in various competitions and rallies. However, they are often taken by those who simply love fast driving. The lineup is not that wide. For example, Subaru does not produce crossovers and jeeps. Subaru has a boxer engine, which is unusual for our auto mechanics from Blagoveshchensk.

Mazda cars are also popular. They have good performance for acceleration, economical and powerful rotary engine. However, there is a minus - such an engine has a limited resource. After a run of 100 thousand kilometers, it usually requires replacement.

Honda Civic VII and Toyota Corolla IX with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine are considered the most reliable cars in the secondary market. The only question is: is this not the merit of exclusively previous generations, which really have proven themselves only on the positive side?

In the case of the Corolla with a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 110 hp. no problems arise. This car is really very reliable. If you follow the rules of regular Maintenance, then the most common malfunction will be burned-out outdoor lighting bulbs.

In terms of size, build quality and interior, both cars are comparable. In Honda, it is more convenient to operate the gear lever, and the gear selection mechanism is more accurate. The Corolla hasn't taken care of that properly, and the steering and suspension are far less impressive. Even despite the fact that the engines develop the same power (110 hp), and the dynamic characteristics are close (0-100 km / h acceleration in just 10 seconds), you get more driving pleasure behind the wheel of a Civic.

As mentioned above, Toyota's reliability is nothing to worry about, while Honda has two costly defects. The steering system and bearings in the gearbox turned out to be unreliable.



There is no question of significant problems with the Toyota Corolla, in addition, it is cheaper to maintain. The Civic requires more attention: every 40,000 km it is necessary to adjust the valve clearance and every 90,000 km to change the timing belt (for the Corolla - a chain) and the oil in the gearbox. However, operating costs do not differ much from each other. Original spare parts for both cars are quite expensive, but there are practically no problems with the availability of cheaper substitutes. One of the advantages of the Corolla is a large selection in the secondary market.

HondaCivic 1.6 - typical problems

Gearbox failure

The destruction of the bearings in the gearbox is a serious defect that sometimes occurs. The cost of repairs in the official service is at least 15-17 thousand rubles, in ordinary workshops - much cheaper. Symptoms: very noisy operation of the box and problems with the inclusion of some gears. Too much load on the engine at low speeds contributes to the failure of the box.

Steering wheel lock

A power steering failure is the worst thing that can happen to a Civic VII. The reason may be the lack of periodic clearance adjustment in the gearbox or the failure of the electronic controller. In the worst case, when the electronics cannot be restored, you will have to invest in a new steering column worth more than 50,000 rubles.



Leaks from shock absorbers

In the suspension, shock absorbers often begin to leak prematurely and the stabilizer bushings wear out relatively quickly - knocks appear.

Disconnecting the electrical harness

Not often, but there are cases of disconnection of the contacts of the air temperature control knob. The repair consists in reconnecting the contacts, for which the service will ask for several hundred rubles.



So, were it not for the Civic's costly malfunctions, it would definitely win this comparison. The Honda is more practical and better on the road. However, you can take a chance, since nothing serious happens to most instances.

ToyotaCorollaIX 1.6 - typical faults

Play in the steering

Many cars have already covered more than 200,000 km, in their case, you have to reckon with the wear of the steering rods. Sometimes there is a play in the rail. Fortunately, the steering mechanism is equipped with a hydraulic booster, with which there are no problems.



Stabilizer bushing wear

The suspension has a very simple design and is highly durable. Only with high mileage does it become necessary to replace the bushings and stabilizer struts. The cost of a new set does not exceed several thousand rubles.

Quick brake wear

Elements of the brake system are not very durable. Brake pads, as a rule, require replacement after 30 thousand km, and brake discs after 45 thousand km. Original spare parts for the brake system are very expensive. Fortunately, substitutes are quite affordable.

Generator failure

Sometimes the generator starts to make noise due to bearing wear. The cost of replacing bearings is about 4000 rubles.

Increased oil consumption

A 1.6-liter engine at high mileage begins to consume a lot of engine oil. Therefore, in older cars, regular checks of its level are required.



Thus, the Toyota Corolla IX is quite an expensive car compared to its competitors, but it is difficult to find a more reliable design among long-term small cars. The 1.6-liter engine provides good dynamics, but the comfortable chassis is more conducive to a relaxed driving style. The main disadvantage is the relatively small trunk.

Conclusion

So what to recommend - Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla? It all depends on preferences. Corolla inspires more confidence, because with it you can really count on a long and trouble-free operation. But the Civic is a more interesting car, though careless operation can lead to costly power steering failure. The probability is small, but there is. Therefore, if someone does not want to take risks, then it is better to let them opt for Toyota Corolla.

Speaking of Japanese cars, it is very difficult to say which one is better and than, and also why, for example, Toyota is preferable to Honda. However, for those who have come close to choosing a car, but have not yet decided for themselves what they prefer, it can be difficult to understand who is who of the legendary Japanese "samurai" of roads is better and than. This review focuses on two cars that are regularly among the most popular in the world, and have earned the full respect of motorists. So, what to choose Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, and is it worth choosing from them at all?

The latest generations of Civic and Corolla marked a complete break from their native "C-class" and marked a move towards the more prestigious D-class. They are difficult to attribute to family sedans, but a family of four will feel comfortable in any of them. However, what specific differences are hidden under the hood and in the cabin of these legends, and what should the choice be based on.

Whose engine is better?

It is worth mentioning that Honda for some reason decided to limit the potential circle of Russian Civic buyers, reducing the number of engines offered to a single 1.8-liter volume.

The 1.8 SOHC i-VTEC power plant produces 141 hp. With. at 6500 rpm. and 174 nm at 4300 rpm, which can be called a rather modest indicator. The buyer is given the opportunity to choose between a 6-speed manual, and a 5-speed automatic.

The maximum speed for its class is quite impressive - 200 km / h, run up to hundreds of 9.1 s on the mechanics. And fuel consumption for manual transmission / automatic transmission in the combined cycle is 6.6 / 6.7; in the city 9.6 / 8.8.

Honda will not be able to surprise the buyer with cutting-edge technologies, but instead of this, the company offers a proven and ultra-reliable engine, which, according to many, is considered the most reliable in the world.

Toyota, on the other hand, has offered a much more interesting choice of engines that meets the requirements of a very wide range of buyers who have the opportunity to choose a car according to their wallet or driving style.

Corolla engines are presented in seven versions.

  • 1.33 liters - 99 hp gasoline engine. with 6-speed manual transmission. Consumption in the combined cycle per 100 km - 5.6 liters. Acceleration to hundreds - 12.6 s.
  • 1.4 liters - 90-horsepower diesel engine with mechanics. 4.1 l. 12.5 s
  • 1.6 liters - engine power 122 and 132 hp PPP 6-speed manual or CVT. From 5.6 to 6.6 liters. from 10 to 11.1 s.
  • 1.8 liters - power 140 hp Supplied with variator only. 6.4 l. 10.2 s

The Toyota engine range is a combination of advanced technologies and time-tested solutions. A fairly flexible choice between units allows you to choose a car for yourself. However, even in the top versions of the Corolla, it lacks dynamics compared to the Civic.

And so if we evaluate the choice power plants, deciding that better honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, the advantage is on the side of Toyota. However, the Honda Civic offers a slightly more dynamic and sporty engine that many will also appreciate.

Salon and capacity

Honda Civic is 4.5 cm shorter than the Corolla. 4570 versus 4620 mm. However, this does not affect the length of the cabin in any way. But in terms of height, the sportier Civic is immediately lower by 3 cm. Considering the higher ground clearance 165 mm (Honda has 150 mm for Toyota), the cabin height is immediately reduced by 4-5 cm, which is noticeable when a tall person sits in the rear seats.

In general, the interior of the car feels that the Civic was created more for the driver than for passengers, while in the Corolla comfort is equally divided between all passengers. Therefore, Toyota is often preferred as a family car.

The trunk volume of the Toyota is also more spacious than that of the Civic, 452 and 440 liters. However, an extra 12 liters can actually come in handy only in extreme cases. In general, both cars sacrificed trunk space for cabin space.

Both cars show good cabin capacity with a confident fit for four adults. Good ergonomics make it easy to use all the amenities of cars (power windows, air conditioning or climate control, multimedia system). However, each car has its own nuances.

  • Advantages Civic: high ground clearance, sporty design, high comfort for the driver and front passenger.
  • Advantages Corolla: Roomy interior, roomy trunk, more convenience for rear passengers.

Keeping in mind the saying, tastes differ, it is worth recognizing the equality of both cars. However, the King shows more features of a family car, and the Civic will certainly interest individualists.

Chassis and handling

Chassis - the most strong point Civic. This is thanks to the multi-link independent suspension on the rear wheels, which makes the car handling smoother. This type of suspension allows for surprisingly precise control over the movement of the car, as it minimizes lateral vibrations when driving.

Multi-link suspension combined with high ground clearance makes these cars safer on Russian roads.

The Corolla offers riders semi-independent suspension, which is good for quiet, restrained driving. The classic independent MacPherson is installed on the front of the two sedans.

Honda also looks a little more efficient. The Toyota only has ventilated front brakes, the Civic also has rear brakes, so the Honda Civic emphasizes its sporty, aggressive nature.

The steering is the same for both cars - it is a gear rack with electric power.

Thus, the chassis of Zwick is confidently superior to the Corolla.

Outcome

Choosing according to three main parameters, who is better, Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, it was not possible to identify the undisputed leader. In Toyota's defense, we can say that this company is a Japanese leader in innovation and new technologies, and this is fully represented in the Corolla. Honda, meanwhile, is considered the most reliable car in the world and always offers optimal combination sport, comfort, and design and technology. The Civic buyer appreciates individuality and strives to stand out from the crowd. Admirers of the Corolla value quality and safety above all else.

The mere fact that these two cars are the brainchild of Japanese manufacturers speaks of the complexity of the choice. It is definitely impossible to say right away which is better: Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic, especially since both cars in their class are good in their own way. Therefore, we will try to objectively understand their strengths and weaknesses. Consider four parameters and try to understand the advantages and disadvantages of these cars.

Civic's single-volume layout defines its appearance - the trunk and hood are not pronounced, but the body profile with sloping pillars is characterized by dynamic shape. The severity of the appearance in front is emphasized by narrow headlights, a compact radiator grille and a wide cut bumper with a cross member, at the corners of which round foglights are located. Hood trims improve aerodynamics and visually make the car look larger.

Triangular inserts in the glazing on the front doors and non-rolling rear windows hint at the originality of the design, which is not at all typical for the C-class, which affected the complexity of the configuration of the rear doors, their small size and the difficulty of landing for rear passengers. The sporty appearance of the Honda is given by a spoiler on the high-lifted trunk lid, it goes well with the protrusions on the rear fenders and lanterns.

Toyota Corolla loses in comparison with the Honda Civic, it lacks the elegance and harmony inherent in Honda, although in appearance there are fashion design trends.

The front view of Toyota is typical of the traditional oriental style - it is strict minimalism with an abundance of chrome parts. Massive front bumper gives a certain solidity to the car, but the intricately shaped fog lights make the look more dynamic and comparable to appearance Civic.

The Toyota profile retains the features of modern sedans, only triangles on the rear windows and large taillights overlooking the fenders stand out. The style of the taillights is reminiscent of the outline of the headlights, and this seems to be the only fresh decision in the design of Toyota. Stand out from the rest of the massive background rear bumper and a flat trunk lid.

Salon

The dimensions of the Toyota Corolla are larger than those of the Honda Civic, so there is more comfort and space for passengers, especially on the back sofa. Three passengers can easily fit in the back, and they will have enough legroom, and the ceiling puts less pressure on the head than in the Honda. Compared to Toyota, its Japanese sister has much better lateral support for the front seats, but this does not interfere with comfortable seating in the front seats of both cars.

The Corolla is a step ahead in terms of the quality of the finish, the Honda has more rigid plastics, but there is still an opportunity to purchase a leather interior. In a Toyota sedan Decoration Materials the quality is comparable to the finishes in high-end cars.

The front panel of the Civic is also somewhat bewildering, it resembles an airplane dashboard with many buttons and a gear selector resembling an engine control lever, which are easy to get confused in. In contrast, the front panel and the layout of keys and buttons for Toyota are very convenient and ergonomic, they are all at hand, in close proximity. The large touchscreen display on the central panel looks beautiful, and the gentle bluish instrument lighting is pleasantly pleasing to the eye.

The amount of luggage space in both cars does not differ much, but the Toyota Corolla, unlike the Civic with its dokatka, has a full-size spare wheel hidden in the trunk.

Engines and transmission

For some reason, for Russian consumers, the Civic was offered one engine - this is a powerful and reliable engine of 141 hp. With. with a 1.8 liter volume. The power unit was equipped with either a mechanical six-speed gearbox or a five-speed automatic transmission.

Toyota in this regard was more multifaceted, for the model, starting in 2008, it was possible to choose three power units. These are gasoline 1.3-liter engines with 99 horses, 1.6-liter engines with 122 hp. With. and 1.8-liter with a "herd" of 140 horses. The 99-horsepower was equipped exclusively with six-speed mechanics, the 122-horsepower was equipped with a variator or manual transmission, the last power unit of 140 horses was equipped only with a continuously variable variator.

The dynamics of a Toyota Corolla with a powerful 140-horsepower engine and a CVT is better than that of a Civic with a five-speed automatic - it accelerates to hundreds faster by 0.6 seconds, while a Honda with a manual gearbox picks up 100 km / h in 9.1 seconds. The appetite of both cars does not differ at all, they eat the same fuel.


Chassis

The multi-link independent suspension on the rear axle of the Honda Civic makes handling clear, understandable and softer, well controlling the movement of the car and minimizing lateral vibrations. Toyota's semi-independent suspension works great with a uniform, calm ride, it is more comfortable on the roads of Russia.

Civic has adequate steering effort, but feedback is weak, and rough roads vibrate, Toyota's steering wheel is less sensitive, and vibrations are invisible. Compared to the rigid suspension of the Civic, Toyota's chassis is much better at working out all the bumps in the road.

The steering of these machines is the same - rack and pinion with an electric booster. Honda is equipped with ventilated brakes on both axles, Toyota has such only in the front.

Thus, we can say that Honda has a sportier and stiffer suspension.

Conclusion

Which is better: Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla? Having considered all the pros and cons of these machines, it is impossible to come to an unambiguous conclusion. Each of them is good in its own way. If you prefer a sporty driving style, then the Honda Civic is right for you, if you prefer a calm and comfortable ride, choose the Toyota Corolla.

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