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Published March 04, 2022

Honda Civic review

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Image shows orange Honda Civic driving down a tree-lined street.

The Honda Civic, now in its 11th generation with the fully redesigned 2022 model, remains one of the best-selling cars in the U.S. In 2021, 263,787 units were sold, Car and Driver reported.

Do a Google search and you’ll find that Honda Civic reviews mostly laud the Civic for its spacious and upscale interior, excellent fuel economy, zippy engine options and sporty handling.

The Civic has a long list of highlights to love. Here are some pros of the Honda Civic:

  • Comfortable ride and agile handling
  • Roomy seating and cargo space
  • Peppy acceleration
  • High safety scores

Like most cars, this compact car has a few drawbacks. Cons of the Honda Civic:

  • Available touch screen can be frustrating to use in some model years
  • Base engine may not be powerful enough for some drivers

If you’re looking at used Honda Civics, you’ll find a redesigned version for the 2016 model year. In 2017, a sporty hatchback was added to the lineup. The coupe and Civic Si were discontinued in 2021, while the Civic Type R Limited Edition debuted.

Honda Civic Price

The Honda Civic is more expensive than some of its compact rivals, but it’s such a well-rounded, fun-to-drive car that you might not mind paying a little extra for all of its features. A used Honda Civic is a great buy, as used models typically have a long list of standard features. Average list price of a 2019 Honda Civic is $23,331, according to U.S. News and World Report. The sedan version typically costs less than the hatchback and coupe. The Type R models top the range, with the 2020 model costing $37,915 new.

Performance

The Honda Civic base engine is a 158-horsepower four-cylinder, with four turbocharged four-cylinder engines available. Horsepower ratings range from 174 to 306, with engine type depending on trim level and body style. Which engine a particular Civic has depends on trim level and body style.

Acceleration onto the highway is quick, and reviewers report athletic handling no matter which engine you choose. The Civic offers a comfortable ride that tackles winding roads with ease. Most shoppers should look to the Sport and EX trims for maximum drivability, according to U.S. News and World Report.

And if these engines sound tame, there’s another performance option available, at a higher sticker price. Car and Driver reviewed the 306-horsepower Honda Civic Type R for 2020, calling its turbo-charged engine “terrific” and its sport-tuned chassis “incredible.” Sounds like a lot of fun, doesn’t it?

Reliability

Reliability for the Honda Civic ranges from average to great for model years 2018-2021, according to J.D. Power. The exception is model year 2019, when it was rated below average.

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2021 Honda Civic the highest rating of Good in all six crash safety tests. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the 2021 Civic an overall safety rating of five out of five stars, with five stars in the frontal crash, side crash and rollover tests.

In 2019, the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist safety features were made standard for all trims of the Civic. These features include:

  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane keep assist
  • Road departure mitigation
  • Forward collision warning
  • Automatic emergency braking
  • Multi-angle rearview parking camera
  • Automatic high-beam headlights
Fuel Economy

If you’re looking for a gas-sipping compact car for weekday commuting and time-off road trips, the Civic is a great option. While every engine option is fuel efficient, the 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder in the sedan gets the best gas mileage, with 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway.

The Civic is designated as a Consumer Reports Green Choice car. Developed in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, a Green Choice is among the 20 percent lowest-emitting passenger vehicles for its model year, based on government greenhouse gas and smog ratings.

Cargo space and interior

The Civic may be considered a compact car, but it still has a lot of space for your stuff.

The coupe version has the smallest trunk of the different body styles, with 11.9 or 12.1 cubic feet, depending on the trim level.

The sedan boasts good cargo space in its class, with 15.1 cubic feet of trunk area (the Touring and Si trims are slightly smaller at 14.7 cubic feet.) Not surprisingly, the hatchback has the largest cargo area, with 22.6 to 25.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 46.2 cubic feet withthe seats folded down.

Driver and passengers will find plenty of legroom in both rows of seats inside what U.S. News and World Report calls a “modern, upscale” interior. Headroom is also decent, although there’s more up front than in the back seats.

Cloth upholstery is standard, while leather, heated front seats and power-adjustable front seats are available on higher trims

Infotainment and technology

One of the few cons of the Honda Civic could be its infotainment system. Standard features are the same for every body style, and some drivers may find them lacking. You can upgrade to a 7-inch touch screen, which U.S. News and World Report says is easy to see and reach from the driver’s seat, but the interface can be frustrating for some users.

Other fun available features include push-button start, remote start, proximity keyless entry, dual-zone automatic climate control and a moonroof.

Is the Honda Civic a good car?

Honda proves you can pack both style and substance into a practical compact car with the Civic.

The Honda Civic is a good car, offering an energetic driving experience, comfy interior, generous cargo space and great fuel economy. There are other close rivals in its class, such as the Mazda3 or Kia Forte, but the Civic is more well-rounded for the money.

Buy a Honda Civic from EchoPark

EchoPark has lots of used Honda Civic models in stock to suit every driving need. Start browsing for yours today.

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