The Honda Civic hatchback is an excellent buy. It offers admirable performance, a refined and roomy cabin, and plenty of connectivity and safety tech to please most buyers. While it's slightly more expensive than most competitors, you'll find that it offers great value due to the number of standard features for the price.Read full review
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.
Rex Tokeshi-Torres has worked in the automotive industry for over 17 years. Rex is a vehicle testing technician and photographer at Edmunds and is responsible for coordinating vehicle testing and logistics, organizing data, and capturing photos for the site and social media. He has written over 100 vehicle-related articles and has rated, tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. He has also contributed content to Autobytel, Autotrader, Automobile, the Associated Press and DSport along with various motorsport teams. His affinity with cars started because of Hot Wheels and his love of modifying cars. He occasionally drives Subarus.
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 Hatchback (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 $3.20 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
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.
Good
7.9
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Honda Civic hatchback is an excellent buy. It offers admirable performance, a refined and roomy cabin, and plenty of connectivity and safety tech to please most buyers. While it's slightly more expensive than most competitors, you'll find that it offers great value due to the number of standard features for the price.
How does the Civic Hatchback drive? We tested a Civic Sport Touring hatchback, which has the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. At our test track, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, a little quicker than the small-hatchback class average. It feels a little lazy from a stop, but power grows steadily and quickly. Unlike the base engine, you never really feel the need to floor it. The Civic's continuously variable automatic transmission is well tuned and responsive when you need a burst of speed. The available manual transmission has an excellent clutch, making it easy to use and buttery to shift.
Around turns, the Civic is stable, sporty and entertaining to drive. The tires make a lot of squealing noise but otherwise maintain a surprising amount of grip on the road. Braking performance is strong too. Ultimately, this Civic is easy and effortless to drive, which is precisely what we'd want from an affordable sporty hatchback.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Civic Hatchback? 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.
Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below
Save as much as $1,930 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $1,930 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the Type R trim.
How’s the interior? The Civic hatch has an attractive cabin 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. While there's plenty of rear shoulder room and legroom, the sloping roof means taller passengers may find headroom lacking. Otherwise, you won't have much trouble with space in the Civic.
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 roofline causes you to double-check over-the-shoulder views, and the back window is a bit short, but the multi-angle rearview camera helps you spot anything that might be behind you.
Technology
8.0/10
How’s the tech? The Civic's infotainment screen is mounted near the top of the dash, so you don't have to take your eyes off the road for too long to adjust the radio or available navigation. It's intuitive to use and quick to respond.
The graphics look a little dated, but the map functions just fine. Our Sport Touring hatchback trim had the larger 9-inch screen, while lower trims get a smaller 7-inch version. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard. While both systems are wireless on the Sport Touring trim, we found using a USB cable provided quicker connection speeds.
Honda's advanced driving aids work well for the most part. We did experience a few false alarms and overzealous systems when lane markings were poor, but these occurrences were infrequent. The adaptive cruise control sometimes brakes a little late, but it generally works well to reduce the burden of driving in stop-and-go traffic.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? The Civic hatchback's trunk can hold up to 24.5 cubic feet of cargo, which is above average for the class. The hatch offers plenty of space since the wheelwells don't intrude too much into the cargo area. You can fold down the rear seats to provide more space. Unfortunately, the surface isn't completely flat due to a mild hump that leads into the rear seating area.
One thing we really liked about the previous Civic was its clever interior storage. Honda implemented more traditional storage spots for this new Civic, 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 kids, the Civic offers three 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
8.0/10
How economical is the Civic Hatchback? The EPA estimates the Civic Sport Touring hatchback (which has the turbocharged engine) will get 35 mpg in combined city/highway driving. This is a few mpg better than what most other rival hatchbacks get. However, we observed just 30.6 mpg from our Civic Sport Touring test car on our mixed-driving evaluation route. This isn't as high as we hoped given the EPA's numbers, but it's still a good result.
Value
7.5/10
Is the Civic Hatchback a good value? The Honda Civic hatchback may cost a bit more than the competition, but its pleasing performance and many standard features justify the added cost. In interior quality, it comes close to matching the Mazda 3, the class benchmark. 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-L trim for the hatchback since it comes with the more powerful and efficient turbocharged engine.
Honda's warranty, which lasts for three years/36,000 miles (basic) and five years/60,000 miles (powertrain), remains fairly unremarkable compared to what other manufacturers offer. But the company builds a good product that generally holds its value well. Roadside assistance, available for the first three years/36,000 miles, is standard fare for this class.
Wildcard
8.5/10
This little Honda hatch has a good amount of performance. The sporty handling lets more spirited drivers actually have some fun rather than feeling soft or disconnected. Usually, these abilities are reserved for the more performance-focused models like the Civic Si and Type R, which tells you how good this car is.
This Civic replaces its predecessor's youthful design with a simpler and more elegant style inside and out, eliminating a lot of the clutter and fake vents, which makes it more appealing to a broader audience. The interior also has a better, more premium feel to it than previous years.
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.
2024 Honda Civic Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I leased my 2024 Honda Civic hatchback a few months ago and I’d like to share my opinion. This car is fuel efficient, safe, reliable, and affordable yet it looks great. I have the Boost Blue color which is one of the less common colors of the civic and people point and turn heads. The interior is good but my main gripe is the sound system is underwhelming considering the sport model has … the mid level system. The HR-V sport is the same price but gives you heated seats, BSM, and USB-C which seems “unfair” but I chose the civic because I’m not a crossover fan. The headroom is fantastic but the seat back can be uncomfortable at times with no adjustment for lumbar. One of my favorite features is the auto high beams which work great. Materials are decent but last generation civic has soft touch upper door panels on every trim where this one has that reserved for top trims (new generation is more expensive too). The car rides good for how large the rims are. Road noise is loud on old rough roads but bearable. This car is all around a good car that looks great and won’t break the bank. Other competition offers more for the money but civic has the best refinement in class.
Love everything!! Haven’t driven a car in over 30 years... used to SUVs and trucks. THIS ONE is great!!!
Would be hard to make it better.
5 out of 5 stars
Andy Z, 11/19/2023
2024 Honda Civic LX 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Just bought a 2024 lx hatchback. I love this car! I could not imagine how well this car was made. It handles like a dream, and is rather sporty. It sips fuel and provides endless fun while hitting the back roads. If you want to buy a car that is fun to drive, safe and reliable look no further.
PERFORMANCE CAR CHALLENGE: Mustang GT vs. GR Corolla vs. Civic Type R vs. Elantra N
It’s time to compare some performance cars! This time around, we’re testing sports cars that cost around $50,000 or less — plus the winner of our last Performance Car Challenge, the Hyundai Elantra N. The Elantra N faces tough competition in the shape of the Honda Civic Type R, Toyota… GR Corolla and Ford Mustang GT. Which sports car will take home the crown? Edmunds’ Clint Simone and Brian Wong find out in our latest Performance Car Challenge. We’ve got 0-to-60 runs, a timed autocross and, of course, good old-fashioned track driving to help us decide our winner.
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.
Applies the brakes automatically to avoid a collision.
Lane Keeping Assist System
Adjusts the vehicle's direction automatically to keep it from drifting out of its lane.
Adaptive Cruise Control
Adjusts the vehicle speed to maintain a constant distance from the car in front.
NHTSA Overall Rating 5 out of 5 stars
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
4 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Rating
Overall
5 / 5
Driver
5 / 5
Passenger
5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Rating
Front Seat
5 / 5
Back Seat
5 / 5
Rollover
Rating
Rollover
5 / 5
Dynamic Test Result
No Tip
Risk Of Rollover
9.5%
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Acceptable
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Acceptable
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good
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 7.9 out of 10. What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Civic has 24.5 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 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 7.9 out of 10. 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 Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $24,950.
Other versions include:
LX 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $24,950
Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $26,350
Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M) which starts at $26,350
EX-L 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $28,650
Sport Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) which starts at $31,450
Sport Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $31,450
Type R 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) which starts at $44,795
If you're interested in the Honda Civic, the next question is, which Civic model is right for you? Civic variants include LX 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT), Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT), Sport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M), and EX-L 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT). For a full list of Civic models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more