Honda Civic Review
The Honda Civic is available as a compact sedan, hatchback, or coupe and has been for sale in the US since 1973. It is a consistently top-selling model appealing to those who want a small, fuel-efficient car that’s also fun to drive. The current Civic was redesigned for the 2016 model year, with recent models costing between $14,750 and $24,198.
Honda Civic Pros
- Excellent fuel economy
- Engaging driving dynamics and a comfortable ride
- Plenty of variations to choose from
Honda Civic Cons
- Tight rear seats, especially for tall passengers
- Infotainment screen and controls can be difficult to use
- Wide range of trims is potentially confusing
Where are Honda Civics made?
Honda is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and has numerous plants around the world. The Civic is made in North America at plants in Alliston, Ontario Canada and Greensburg, Indiana.
Is the Honda Civic All-Wheel Drive?
While there was a time back in the late 1980s and early 1990s when you could buy a Honda Civic wagon with four-wheel drive, all versions of the Civic since are front-wheel drive only.
Is the Honda Civic a Sports Car?
Yes and no. There are a lot of different versions of the Honda Civic, many of which aren’t considered sports cars. The Type R and Si introduced for the 2017 model year, however, are quite sporty.
How Fast Can a Honda Civic Go?
The wide range of engines and trims available for the Honda Civic yield an equally wide range of performance figures, some of which are quite impressive. The Si has a top speed of 130 mph, which is outdone by the Type R with a top speed of 169 mph.
Current Honda Civic – 2016-Present:
The 2016 Honda Civic coupe and sedan were fully redesigned with a whole new look inside and out, a more spacious cabin with upgraded materials, two new powertrains, and a slate of new features and technologies. This year also marked the discontinuation of the Hybrid, Natural Gas, and HF (“high efficiency”) trims. The Civic Si was not fully redesigned until 2017, which also saw the introduction of the Civic hatchback, and Civic Type R.
The base powertrain for the sedan and coupe was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower paired to either a six-speed manual (LX only) or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Sedans achieved 30 mpg city, 40 mpg highway with the automatic transmission and 27 mpg city, 38 mpg highway with the manual. Coupes achieved 30 mpg city, 39 mpg highway with the automatic and 26 mpg city, 37 mpg highway with the manual. A turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder with 174 horsepower was offered with a CVT only. It delivered 31 mpg city, 42 mpg highway as a sedan and 31 mpg city, 41 mpg highway as a coupe. The Si had a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 205 horsepower paired to a six-speed manual transmission. It delivered 28 mpg city, 39 mpg as a coupe and 28 mpg city, 38 mpg as a sedan. The Type R had a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 306 horsepower paired to a six-speed manual transmission with selectable rev-matching that achieved 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway. The hatchback was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 162 horsepower (177 horsepower for Civic Sport with manual transmission) and offered either a six-speed manual (LX and Sport only) or a CVT. It delivered 31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway (CVT) and 30 mpg city, 39 mpg highway (manual) for all but the Sport trim, which delivered 30 mpg city, 39 mpg highway (manual) and 30 mpg city, 36 mpg highway (automatic).
The Civic LX was the base trim with 16-inch steel wheels, AM/FM radio, 4-speaker audio, LCD monitor, Bluetooth, USB audio input, cloth seats, automatic air conditioning, and front cupholders. The Sport was a hatchback-only trim with an underbody spoiler kit, center dual exhaust outlet, fog lights, sport pedals, black headliner, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The EX sedan and hatchback added 16-inch alloy wheels, power moonroof, HondaLink, Honda LaneWatch, a 7-inch infotainment display, 8-speaker audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM/FM/HD/satellite radio, and heated mirrors while the LX-P was the coupe version of the EX. The EX-T sedan and coupe added 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, decklid spoiler, dual automatic climate control, adjustable front seat belt anchors, heated front seats, SiriusXM, and HD radio. The EX-L sedan and coupe added an auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 8-way power driver’s seat, and leather seat trim and was the same as the EX-L Navi hatchback. The Si added 18-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and cloth seats and was available only as a sedan or coupe. The Touring sedan and coupe added chrome door handles, rain-sensing wipers, auto on/off LED headlights, 4-way power passenger seat, navigation, 10-speaker audio, and Honda Sensing. The Sport Touring was a hatchback-only trim that combined the features of the Touring and Sport. The Type R hatchback was only available in the Touring trim. The Type R Limited Edition adds 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, specially tuned dampers, and recalibrated steering along with getting a 46-pound weight reduction and exclusive Phoenix Yellow with Gloss Black paint accents. Shop for the 2016-current Honda Civic
2016-Current Honda Civic Trim Levels:
- Civic LX (Base) (sedan and coupe): 16-inch steel wheels, AM/FM radio, 4-speaker audio, LCD monitor, Bluetooth, USB audio input, cloth seats, automatic air conditioning, front cupholders, 2.0-liter four-cylinder, 158 hp, six-speed manual (31/30 mpg sedan/coupe) or CVT (34 mpg sedan/coupe)
- Civic LX (Base) (hatchback): adds 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 174 hp, 34 mpg (manual), 33 mpg (CVT)
- Civic Sport (hatchback only): adds underbody spoiler kit, center dual exhaust outlet, fog lights, sport pedals, black headliner, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 180 hp, 33 mpg (manual), 32 mpg (CVT)
- Civic EX (sedan and hatchback): adds 16-inch alloy wheels, power moonroof, HondaLink, Honda LaneWatch, a 7-inch infotainment display, 8-speaker audio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, AM/FM/HD/satellite radio, heated mirrors, CVT only
- Civic LX-P (coupe only): coupe version of EX
- Civic EX-T (sedan and coupe): adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, decklid spoiler, dual automatic climate control, adjustable front seat belt anchors, heated front seats, SiriusXM, HD radio, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 174 hp, 35 mpg (sedan), 31 mpg (coupe)
- Civic EX-L Navi (hatchback only): adds navigation to features of EX-L
- Civic Si (sedan and coupe): adds 18-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, cloth seats, 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 205 hp, six-speed manual transmission, 32 mpg
- Civic Touring (sedan and coupe): adds chrome door handles, rain-sensing wipers, auto on/off LED headlights, 4-way power passenger seat, navigation, 10-speaker audio, Honda Sensing
- Civic Sport Touring (hatchback only): includes features found on Touring and Sport trims, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 180 hp, CVT only, 32 mpg
- Civic Type R (hatchback only): available only in Touring trim, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. 306 hp, six-speed manual transmission with selectable rev-matching, 25 mpg
- Civic Type R Limited Edition (hatchback only): adds 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, 46-pound weight reduction, exclusive Phoenix Yellow with Gloss Black paint accents, specially tuned dampers, recalibrated steering
Running Changes to the 2016-Current Honda Civic
- 2016: Complete redesign with new advanced safety features, more spacious cabin with higher quality materials, and two new powertrains. Hybrid, HF (“high efficiency”), and Natural Gas discontinued
- 2017: All-new Civic hatchback and Civic Si debut, Type R introduced
- 2018: No major changes
- 2019: Volume knob added, Sport trim debuts, Honda Sensing standard
- 2020: Hatchback restyled
- 2021: Type R Limited Edition debuts, Coupe and Si discontinued
Honda Civic – 2012-2015:
The completely redesigned 2012 Honda Civic included a range of eight trims with a new look inside and out, a more spacious interior, new available technologies including Bluetooth and satellite navigation, and revised powertrains. It also marked the introduction of the HF (high-efficiency) trim and the renaming of the Civic GX to the Civic Natural Gas.
The base powertrain included a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 140 horsepower available for both the coupe and sedan. It achieved 28 mpg city, 38 mpg highway with the five-speed automatic transmission, or 28 city, 35 highway with the five-speed manual. The new HF sedan featured a specially tuned version of this engine paired to a five-speed automatic with slightly improved highway fuel economy of 39 mpg. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 201 horsepower paired to a six-speed manual was offered only on the Si sedan and coupe. It delivered 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The hybrid sedan had a 1.5-liter four-cylinder with an electric motor for a combined 110 horsepower. It was paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and achieved an impressive 43 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. The Civic Natural Gas had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 110 horsepower paired to a five-speed automatic transmission for fuel economy of 27 mpg city, 38 mpg highway.
The Honda Civic DX base trim had 15-inch steel wheels, power windows, manual door locks, 4-speaker audio, and cloth seat trims. The LX added an AM/FM radio, 1st row LCD monitor, and keyfob with remote keyless entry. The EX added 16-inch aluminum wheels, manual front air conditioning, and a sunroof. The EX-L was the most fully-featured trim and added heated seat cushions for driver and passenger, heated seatback for the driver, leather interior trims, and heated side mirrors. The sporty Si added 17-inch aluminum wheels, front fog lights, and cloth seat trims. The Natural Gas stepped down to 15-inch aluminum wheels. Shop for the 2012-2015 Honda Civic
2012-2015 Honda Civic Trim Levels:
- Civic DX (Base): 15-inch steel wheels, power windows, manual door locks, 4-speaker audio, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission, 140 hp, 31 mpg
- Civic LX: adds AM/FM radio, LCD monitor, remote keyless entry
- Civic HF 15-inch silver aluminum wheels, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, 140 hp, five-speed automatic, 32 mpg
- Civic EX: adds 16-inch aluminum wheels, manual front air conditioning, sunroof
- Civic EX-L: adds heated front seats, leather seating trims, heated side mirrors
- Civic Hybrid: adds 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, 110 hp, CVT, 44 mpg
- Civic Si: adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, front fog lights, cloth seat trim, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, 201 hp, six-speed manual, 25 mpg
- Civic Natural Gas: adds 15-inch aluminum wheels, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, 110 hp, five-speed automatic transmission, 31 mpg
Running Changes to the 2012-2015 Honda Civic
- 2012: Full redesign included new styling, more spacious interior, new available technologies including Bluetooth and satellite navigation, and revised powertrains. HF (high-efficiency) trim introduced, Civic GX renamed Civic Natural Gas
- 2013: Rearview camera, air conditioning, one USB port, and Bluetooth became standard, sedan restyled, interior materials improved, base DX discontinued
- 2014: CVT replaced five-speed manual transmission, coupe restyled, LaneWatch camera became available, touchscreen updated
- 2015: No major changes
Honda Civic 2006-2011:
The 2006 Honda Civic redesign included a sedan, coupe, hybrid sedan, and Si models. It debuted a sleeker, more aerodynamic exterior, a new digital speedometer, and roomier interiors across all models. There was also a choice of four powertrains.
The hybrid sedan was available with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor that produced a combined 110 horsepower and was paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). It delivered 40 mpg city and 45 mpg highway. Both the sedan and the coupe featured an all-new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 140 horsepower and was paired to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. It was rated at 26 mpg city and 36 mpg highway with the automatic transmission and dropped slightly to 26 mpg and 34 mpg highway equipped with the manual. A compressed natural gas engine was available on the Civic GX with limited availability. It had a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 113 horsepower and fuel economy of 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway. The most powerful engine option was reserved for the Si, which had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 197 horsepower paired only to a six-speed manual transmission. It delivered the lowest fuel economy of the Civic line with 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
The base Honda Civic was available as a sedan or coupe with 15-inch steel wheels, four-speaker audio, cloth seats, and manual windows. The base Honda Civic hybrid was a sedan only with 15-inch aluminum wheels, variable intermittent wipers, power windows, steering wheel audio controls, CD player, remote keyless entry, and six-speaker audio. The GX was also only available as a sedan and with limited availability. Its only changes were 15-inch steel wheels and a compressed natural gas engine. The LX came in a sedan or coupe with 16-inch steel wheels, cruise control, one-touch up/down driver’s window, a panic alarm, power door locks, theft-deterrent radio, AM/FM stereo, MP3 and AUX jacks, and a six-speaker audio system. The EX added 16-inch silver aluminum wheels, height-adjustable front seat belts, chrome grille accents, sunroof, exterior temperature display, voice-activated navigation, and a rear center armrest. At the top of the lineup was the Civic Si with 17-inch aluminum wheels, premium cloth seats, and a 7-speaker audio system with an amplifier. Shop for the 2006-2011 Honda Civic
2006-2011 Honda Civic Trim Levels:
- Civic DX (Base): 15-inch steel wheels, 4-speaker audio, manual front windows, cloth seats, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, 140 hp, 29 mpg (manual), 30 mpg (automatic)
- Civic Base (hybrid only): sedan only, adds 15-inch aluminum wheels, variable intermittent wipers, power windows, steering wheel audio controls, CD player, remote keyless entry, 6-speaker audio, 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine, 110 hp, CVT, 42 mpg
- Civic GX: sedan only, limited availability, adds 15-inch steel wheels, 1.8-liter four-cylinder compressed natural gas engine with 113 hp, five-speed automatic transmission, 28 mpg
- Civic LX: adds 16-inch steel wheels, cruise control, one-touch up/down driver’s window, a panic alarm, power door locks, theft-deterrent radio, AM/FM stereo, MP3 and AUX jacks, 6-speaker audio
- Civic EX: adds 16-inch silver aluminum wheels, height-adjustable front seat belts, chrome grille trim, sunroof, exterior temperature display, voice-activated navigation, rear armrest
- Civic Si: coupe only, adds 17-inch aluminum wheels, premium cloth seats, 7-speaker audio with an amplifier, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, 197 hp, six-speed manual transmission, 29 mpg
Running Changes to the 2006-2011 Honda Civic
- 2006: Full redesign, four powertrains including a compressed natural gas option, new digital speedometer, roomier interiors, sleeker styling
- 2007: Sedan added to Si lineup
- 2008: New Mugen Si trim and an available leather package
- 2009: Updated styling, Bluetooth, USB port, new LX-S sedan with alloy wheels and sportier styling, new DX Value Package with air conditioning and audio, available heated front seats and side mirrors
- 2010: No changes
- 2011: No changes
Honda Civic versus the Competition
Honda Civic versus Honda Accord
The Honda Civic is a compact car with room for five, but it’s far better suited to four. It has excellent driving dynamics, though it can be a bit noisy, especially in highway driving or on rough pavement. The Honda Accord is a midsize sedan better suited to families. It easily accommodates five adults with a smoother, quieter ride and an expansive trunk.
Honda Civic versus Toyota Corolla
These are both affordable compacts, with the Corolla generally offered at a lower price point and better predicted reliability. The Civic has better driving dynamics, more room for cargo and offers the performance-focused Si and Type R, with no comparable models offered in the Corolla lineup.
Honda Civic versus Toyota Camry
The biggest differences between the Honda Civic and Toyota Camry are price. The Civic is a smaller, sportier option best for four passengers while the Camry is a more mild-mannered sedan that easily seats five. It doesn’t have the performance trims of the Civic and it sits at a higher price point.
Honda Civic versus Hyundai Elantra
Both the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra have excellent reputations for reliability. The Hyundai Elantra has a lower price point while the Civic has a more spacious interior that makes it more comfortable for adults in the rear seats. And once again, the Civic offers performance variants that were always unmatched by the Elantra, though the all-new 2021 Elantra does have N-Line performance models.
