The Honda Civic boasts praiseworthy performance, high fuel economy, excellent passenger space and a refined design. There are a few minor drawbacks, such as elevated road noise on the highway, but overall the Civic is a great pick for a small sedan.
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
Sharp handling makes the Civic fun to drive
Better-than-average fuel economy and cargo space
Many easy-to-use tech features
Cons
Noticeable road noise on the highway
Lack of front-seat lumbar support
Occasional false alarms from safety features can be distracting
What's new
No changes for 2024
Part of the 11th Civic generation introduced for 2022
Overview
The current-generation Honda Civic is one of the automaker's best yet. In fact, our test team named the Civic the Edmunds Top Rated Car for 2023. Just about everything you'd want from a small sedan or hatchback is here, including plenty of interior room, pleasing performance, and nearly all of the latest technology and driver assist features Honda has on offer. There's even the high-performance 315-horsepower Type R version to satisfy driving enthusiasts.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Honda Civic LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
We like that Honda offers the Civic as a sedan or hatchback. The main difference between the two is, as you can likely guess, is cargo space. The sedan has a traditional trunk that can hold 14.8 cubic feet of stuff. That's a respectable amount of space for a small sedan. But pick the hatchback, which has a slightly more bulbous profile and a lift-up rear hatch, and you get 24.5 cubes of space behind the rear seats. The lift-up hatch also makes it easier to load bulky items in the back. The Civic hatchback does cost more than the sedan but we think having a more versatile cargo area is worth it.
Competitors to consider
Overall, the 2024 Honda Civic is a great pick for a small car. But it can be worth your time to check out a few alternatives. Besides the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla, we also recommend the value-packed Kia Forte or the refined Mazda 3. Be sure to read our Expert Rating below for our test team's take on what you can expect regarding the Civic's performance, comfort and more.
What’s it like to live with?
Not only did we name the Honda Civic our Edmunds Top Rated Sedan for 2022, but we also added one to our long-term review fleet. We opted for the Civic Si so that we could row through the manual transmission's gears for 20,000 miles and 12 months and learn what we like and dislike about one of our top picks. Check out all of our experiences with the 2022 Honda Civic Si.
Edmunds Expert Rating
great
8.1/10
Edmunds Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
The Honda Civic boasts praiseworthy performance, high fuel economy, excellent passenger space and a refined design. There are a few minor drawbacks, such as elevated road noise on the highway, but overall the Civic is a great pick for a small sedan.
How does the Civic drive? We tested a Civic Touring sedan, which has the turbocharged engine. At our test track it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds. This is a little quicker than average for the small sedan class. It feels a little lazy off the line, but power grows steadily and quickly so you never feel the need to floor it like you would with the base 2.0-liter engine. The Civic's continuously variable automatic transmission is tuned well to deliver smooth power and quick responsiveness when you need a burst of speed.
Around turns, the Civic is stable and sporty, instilling confidence and providing some entertainment behind the wheel. The tires make a lot of noise, but they maintain a surprising amount of grip on the road, which also aids in above-average braking performance. Ultimately this Civic is easy and effortless to drive, which is precisely what we'd want from an affordable sedan.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Civic? The Civic's suspension does a pretty good job of smoothing out bumps in the road. It doesn't ride as comfortably as some other small cars, but given the car's sporty handling, we think it's an acceptable trade-off. The front seats are supportive, and the leather upholstery breathes well to help keep you cool on hot days. But note that the seats lack adjustable lumbar support, which could be an issue for people with sensitive lower backs.
The climate control layout is a clear improvement over the previous generation's setup, with great vent coverage for the cabin. Road noise is noticeable at any speed and can be rather intrusive on coarse surfaces. Wind noise is thankfully more subdued, and the rest of the interior feels solidly constructed and free of vibration.
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How’s the interior? The cabin has an attractive design. All controls are within easy reach and intuitive to use. It's also roomy — the front can comfortably seat taller and shorter passengers equally well, and the rear seats will accommodate average-size adults with no problem. Rear legroom is abundant and headroom is adequate.
Outward visibility is aided by narrow front roof pillars and sideview mirrors that are mounted on the doors, freeing up your view out front. The back window is a bit short, but the multi-angle rearview camera helps you spot anything that might be behind you when backing out of a parking spot.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? The Civic's touchscreen infotainment system is located high on the dash to help you keep your eyes on the road. It has intuitive on-screen menus and responds quickly to your inputs.
The graphics for the optional integrated navigation system look a little dated, but the map functions just fine. Our Touring trim had the larger 9-inch screen, while lower trims get a smaller 7-inch version. Most users will probably opt to use the standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone projection anyway. In the Touring trim, these systems can connect to your phone wirelessly. You can use a USB cable if you'd prefer, and we found it provided quicker connection speeds.
Honda's new camera-based advanced driving aids work well for the most part. We did experience some false alarms for frontal collision and the lane keeping assistance got confused by faded lane markings, but these occurrences were infrequent. The adaptive cruise control sometimes brakes a little late, but it otherwise does an admirable job of reducing the burden of driving in stop-and-go traffic.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The Civic sedan's trunk can hold up to 14.8 cubic feet of cargo, which is on the larger side for the class. The space is usable thanks to minimal intrusion from the Civic's wheelwells and trunk hinges. You can fold down the rear seats to provide more cargo space, though the pass-through opening between the trunk and rear seat isn't very big.
One thing we really liked about the previous Civic was that it had lots of clever interior storage. Honda implemented more traditional storage spots for this new Civic, which is a small step back in our opinion. Still, the center armrest bin can hold a good amount, the cupholders are large, and a rubberized charging pad in front can help keep your phone from sliding around as it's charging.
If you've got little kids, the Civic offers three top anchor spots for front-facing child safety seats, and the main lower anchor points are easy to access. Larger rear-facing infant carriers will likely compromise front passenger space a little, but this is true for most cars in this segment.
Fuel Economy
8.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The EPA estimates the Civic Touring (which has the turbocharged engine) will get 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The EX is even better at 36 mpg combined. Either way, the Civic bests its most direct competitors by about 3 to 4 mpg. We managed to achieve 33.4 mpg from our Civic Touring test car on our mixed-driving evaluation route. This isn't quite as high as we might have hoped given the EPA's numbers, but it's still an impressive showing.
Value
8.0/10
Is the Civic a good value? The Honda Civic may cost a bit more than the Kia Forte and Toyota Corolla, but it justifies the added cost with better performance, laudable fuel economy, a few more features and a significantly nicer interior. It has the kind of refinement that we would have expected from the more expensive Honda Accord. We recommend stepping up to at least the EX trim since it comes with the more powerful and efficient turbocharged engine.
Honda's warranty remains fairly unremarkable compared to what other manufacturers offer. But the company builds a good product that generally holds its value well.
Wildcard
8.5/10
This little Honda packs a surprising amount of performance. This is especially true of the sporty handling that lets more spirited drivers actually have some fun. Usually, these abilities are reserved for the more performance-focused models like the Civic Si and Type R.
This Civic replaces its predecessor's busy design with a simpler and more elegant style. It eliminates a lot of the clutter and fake vents for a more mature interpretation yet still leaves room for more exciting treatments.
Which Civic does Edmunds recommend?
For most shoppers, the midlevel EX (sedan)/EX-L (hatchback) trim will offer the best value in the Civic lineup. It includes more standard features than the base Sport and a more powerful yet fuel-efficient engine for not much more money.
Honda Civic models
The 2024 Honda Civic is available as either a sedan or hatchback. There are five trim levels for the sedan: LX, Sport, EX, Touring and Si. The hatchback comes in similar LX, Sport, EX-L and Sport Touring trims (there is no Si equivalent for the hatch) and then tops the lineup with the high-performance Type R trim. Keep reading for our breakdown of the Civic's key features by trim level.
I have been driving my 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback Sport Touring for about a month now, and absolutely love the car.
On the paper,
Honda Civic seems more expensive than its rivals, says Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, etc. It lacks a few features found in competitors (AWD, Hybrid, 360 Camera, Seat, etc.). However, you get more than you think in terms of … practicality, usability, and versatility, many things cannot be told from the spec sheet alone. Civic is now getting very large, to the point that, you don't have to step up to a mid-size sedan (Camry or Accord) anymore (because it's big enough and can do everything!).
The drivability blows Toyota Corolla away (esp, the hybrid model), Civic is way more fun to drive. The usability is better than both Corolla and Mazda3 (too small). You get Honda's reliability and better resale value than Kia and Hyundai. Civic also has the best visibility, the design is so open and airy. The Interior has great quality and isn't overly complicated, you get real tactile knobs and buttons everywhere.
Some people complain about noise, yea I get it, but that's because the glass is so big, the body rigidity is enhanced, and the tires are also wider than others (235 in Sport/Touring/Sport-Touring). All of these account for your safety and handling. Honda cares more about practicality, things you use every day, things that make you safe, and things that make it a good car.
In conclusion,
the new 2023 Honda Civic is a great car. It can be your only car, your family car that carries 3-4 people (or your kids) around, or go for a long trip. The hatchback can even substitute a small SUV (CUV) for cargo space. The design is timeless, clean, and grown-up, you can drive this thing for 10 years and it doesn't feel old or outdated. If you want a good overall car, you care more about practicality, and can give up some features that you may use once a month (or a year!), this is your car. Honda Civic is one of the best cars you can get and you will not regret it.
Sporty & Fun!
5 out of 5 stars
Darek Gwozdz, 06/27/2023
2023 Honda Civic EX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
It's a great car that handles well and has ample power. I love the smoothness and acceleration I get from the 1.5T engine and CVT transmission. Gas mileage is incredible. I usually get an average mpg in the mid 40's on the highway and on road trips. Lots of nice features and tech such as a sunroof, dual climate, remote start, heated seats, heated side mirrors, apple carplay, and blind … spot monitoring. I find the seats to be comfortable. They aren't as bad as people make them out to be. My only complaints are the auto start/stop feature, which can't be permanently disabled, and the lack of power seats.
Don’t buy higher trims
3 out of 5 stars
Jason S, 08/06/2023
2023 Honda Civic Touring 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT)
This is a solid car with excellent handing. The interior is good for a base car. Exterior looks good. The digital instrument cluster is cool as is having wireless Apple CarPlay. Bose system is adequate. Actually the best Bose system I’ve ever heard.
Now for the cons of purchasing a top tier $31500 Civic.
* Dealership was horrible trying to add a 9k markup!! I didn’t budge and even … scored 1500 off the MSRP. Don’t pay anything over MSRP or simply walk. They wanted ~40k for a Civic!
* Dealer didn’t follow through with the promise to tint the windows.
* The road noise and vibration is inexcusable for a car costing this much. It’s bad folks.
* Exterior fit and finish is poor. The hatchback is so much worse.
* The interior carpet isn’t carpet…it’s more like the jute typically under the carpeting.
* Rear camera resolution should be embarrassing for Honda.
* Lots of interior pieces buzzing on rough roads.
* No lumbar seat adjustment (Google the complaints about this one!).
This top trim screams cheap at every corner. If you to improve all cons above, go with Mazda.
Would I buy again…yes but only the base model as a daily driver. this is an economy car and buying higher trims is a waste and you’ll be disappointed.
Wow.....What a car!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Ken, 12/21/2022
2023 Honda Civic Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
First of all, if you are thinking about buying an Accord, you need to look at the 2023 Civic, first. This car is incredibly roomy inside. The cabin is upscale. The dash is amazing. It is quiet and smooth on the road. I do not hear the whine of the engine at all. It handles bumps in the road like a larger car. Also, the 2.0 liter engine has plenty of power, both around town and on the … highway. Don't believe the reviews that say it is under powered. It has plenty of power with the way Honda has the CVT tuned. You can also use the sport mode when you need a little more power. I have owned about 40 cars in my lifetime, including numerous Civics and Accords, and this is one of my favorite cars, if not my very favorite. I cannot believe I got a car as upscale as this Civic is, for the price I paid. The infotainment center is easy to figure out. All of the tech features are intuitive. The speedometer display is easy to figure out and customize to your liking. The car looks sophisticated and refined, yet still sporty. This is a great family sedan.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2024 Honda Civic, so we've included reviews for other years of the Civic since its last redesign.
There's a lot to like with the Kia Forte. It offers a lot of features for less money than most rivals, Civic included. A long warranty only increases the value further. But the Forte lacks some refinement compared to the Civic, with a rougher ride quality and a smaller interior that's not as well appointed as the Honda's.
The Hyundai Elantra is closely related to the Kia Forte and shares many of the same pros and cons. The Kia lacks a high-performance version, however, which is where the Elantra and its high-performance Elantra N variant come in. It's one of the best-driving compacts we've ever tested, and it should put the new Civic Type R on its toes with its powerful turbocharged engine, sporty handling and significantly lower price tag.
The Mazda 3 is smaller than the Civic in terms of passenger and cargo space but counters with a premium interior, sporty handling and sharp looks. The Mazda 3 2.5 Turbo makes up to 250 hp and is a great alternative to the Civic Si. And like the Civic, the 3 is available as a sedan and hatchback. One final advantage for the Mazda 3: You can get it with all-wheel drive, which is great if you frequently drive in wintry conditions. Read Edmunds' long-term road test of the Mazda 3 for more.
The 2024 Honda Civic is the latest in a long line of incredibly popular vehicles. The Civic, Honda's best-seller, is available as a sedan and hatchback. The return of the Civic Type R hot hatch was the big news for the lineup for the 2023 model year, but we aren't expecting anything quite so groundbreaking for 2024.
Honda has kept its lips sealed so far about any updates for the 2024 Civic, but the redesigned 2023 Honda Accord gets a new interior, including some software upgrades. Among those, it's the first Honda to receive a Google-integrated operating system. Will the Civic receive a similar treatment for 2024, or will we have to wait?
Otherwise, we expect subtle styling tweaks to both the exterior and interior of the Civic. That's no tragedy, though. We're big fans of the Civic, having named it our Edmunds Top Rated Sedan in 2022 on the heels of its redesign that gave it a more grown-up presence. We added a Civic Si model to our long-term test fleet shortly after.
Edmunds says
The Civic is one of our favorite cars and a smart pick for a small sedan. We don't expect that to change for 2024.
FAQ
Is the Honda Civic a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2024 Civic both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2024 Civic gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 56 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the Civic ranges from 14.4 to 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Honda Civic. Learn more
What's new in the 2024 Honda Civic?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2024 Honda Civic:
No changes for 2024
Part of the 11th Civic generation introduced for 2022
To determine whether the Honda Civic is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Civic. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Civic's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2024 Honda Civic a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2024 Honda Civic is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2024 Civic and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2024 Civic gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 56 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2024 Civic is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2024 Honda Civic?
The least-expensive 2024 Honda Civic is the 2024 Honda Civic LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $23,950.
Other versions include:
LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,950
Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,550
EX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $26,950
Si 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $29,100
Touring 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $30,550
If you're interested in the Honda Civic, the next question is, which Civic model is right for you? Civic variants include LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), Sport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), EX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT), and Si 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M). For a full list of Civic models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
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