The 2017 Toyota Corolla might be a compact car, but it feels much bigger inside. That’s especially true in the backseat, where compact cars are usually lacking. Compared to other vehicles in this segment, the Corolla is big on head-, leg-, and elbowroom, delivering plenty of space for your friends and family.

With its own spacious interior, the Honda Civic isn’t far behind. You’ll find that it’s easy to install a child seat in the Civic’s backseat. If you want to travel across country with three of your tallest friends, you can count on the Civic’s newly enhanced cabin for legroom and long-term comfort.

Here the Honda Civic has the edge. It’s clear that the new model was designed with sharp handling in mind. Steering is responsive and energetic, so the Civic feels sporty in just about any setting.

Still, the 2017 Toyota Corolla proved difficult to beat. When you travel through urban landscapes, the Corolla feels tight and responsive around sharp corners. Family road trips are never a chore, because the suspension irons out any bumps in the road.

Here the 2017 Toyota Corolla takes a healthy lead. The Toyota Safety Sense package is loaded with high-tech driver aids designed to alert you to danger, including a pre-collision system that can detect pedestrians. Automatic high beams deploy when you need them most.

The Civic also impresses, starting with its own list of driver aids. When you engage the turn signal, the LaneWatch camera displays your passenger-side blind spot on the central screen. The HondaLink telematics system includes helpful features like emergency crash notification.

Toyota understands that modern drivers need to stay connected. That’s why the Entune Premium Audio system in the 2017 Toyota Corolla is packed with smartphone integration features. The App Suite gives you quick access to your favorite music and even turn-by-turn directions.

The Civic’s central infotainment system offers full smartphone integration, thanks to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities. Its touchscreen, however, is sometimes not as responsive as we’d like. Still, the Civic gives you the power to make hands-free calls on the go.