2023 Honda Civic Review

For many years, the Honda Civic has provided buyers who are on a tight budget with a small vehicle that makes them feel fashionable for being thrifty. The most recent generation, which includes the 2023 model, continues this heritage and goes above and beyond by providing attractive interior trim and a number of features that were only recently regarded as luxuries. You can choose between sedan and hatchback body types, a quartet of four-cylinder engines, and either a continuously variable automatic (CVT) gearbox or a six-speed manual transmission. All models come standard with a touchscreen infotainment system and a long list of driver-assistance features; however, more enticing extras are offered across the lineup. Even when compared to equally well-regarded rivals like the Hyundai Elantra, the Mazda 3, and the Toyota Corolla, the Civic's mix of value, efficiency, niceties, and refined road manners make it a no-brainer.

Modifications for 2023

Honda hasn't changed the compact car and hatchback for 2023 because the Civic underwent a complete redesign for 2022. This year's lineup includes the high-performance Civic Type R hatchback, which we evaluate separately.

Which Trim To Purchase?

Our suggestion is the sedan model's well-equipped EX trim, which has a number of extra features that more than support the price increase. These comforts include heated outside mirrors, heated front seats, a power sunroof, dual-zone automatic temperature control, and blind-spot monitoring. Additionally, it has a 180-hp turbocharged four-cylinder motor as standard equipment. If you plan to purchase the hatchback, we advise you to consider the EX-L, which has additional leather upholstery and comparable equipment.

Power & Performance

Honda chose to retain the available powertrain choices from the previous generation of the Civic even though it completely redesigned everything else about the new model. The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder motor that powers the upgraded model continues to produce 180 horsepower, up from the base model's 158 horsepower from the 2.0-liter four-cylinder. The only version of the new Civic is a front-wheel-drive vehicle. Regrettably, a CVT will be the only available gearbox for the previous-generation Civic sedan starting in 2022. The hatchback variant does still come with a six-speed manual, though. Our turbocharged Touring sedan reached 60 mph at our test track in 7.5 seconds, which is a little longer than the previous model Civic. The manual Sport Touring hatchback we tried performed marginally better, reaching 60 mph in 7.3 seconds. Fortunately, this model still has the responsive handling, communicative steering, and well-balanced ride we loved so much about the previous version. The remaining members of the family, the sporty Si and truly sporty high-performance Type-R variants, are examined separately.

Fuel Economy

The mid-range EX model of the new Civic receives ratings of 33 mpg in the city, 42 mpg on the freeway, and 36 mpg in the combined, according to the EPA. The 2022 Civic Sport hatchback achieved 36 mpg on our 75 mph highway fuel-economy path.

Interior & Comfort

Clean lines and a dashboard with a full-width honeycomb-patterned mesh design element that ingeniously conceals the air vents are features of the interior's streamlined design. A spacious center console with a big, deep bin in front of the shift lever for storing smartphones, keys, and road trip snacks is less cluttered than the one in the outgoing model. According to Honda, the passenger room is about the same and the cargo area is larger.

Infotainment

The Civic has a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display as standard, but a larger 9.0-inch device and a 10.2-inch digital gauge display are both available. When paired with the bigger screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard and provide wireless communication. In-dash navigation, a Bose stereo, and a wireless smartphone charging pad are additional choices.

Safety

Numerous driver-assistance features, such as adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping aid and automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, will become standard. Visit the websites of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for more details regarding the Civic's crash test findings. Important safety elements include:

Standard automated emergency braking

Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist

Standard adaptive cruise control

Warranty & Coverage For Maintenance

Honda's basic warranty program is only fair; competitors like the Elantra and Kia Forte provide better coverage. The Toyota Corolla also includes a scheduled maintenance plan as standard, which is something Civic buyers will appreciate.

Limited warranty covers three years or 36,000 miles

Powertrain warranty covers five years or 60,000 miles

Complimentary scheduled maintenance is covered for two years or 24,000 miles

Competitive Cars

Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla

Although the Toyota Corolla is a decent compact car and is also offered in sedan and hatchback body styles like its Honda rival, it falls short of the Civic's most recent redesign. The Corolla's interior is less luxurious and has less capacity for passengers and cargo than the Civic's. Its handling and motor output aren't as lively either. Nevertheless, the starting price of the Corolla is a staggering $3,100 less than the Civic's. If you're on a tight budget, choose the Corolla. The Civic is superior to other vehicles.

Honda Civic vs. Mazda3

Choosing between the Mazda3 and the Civic is a no-brainer. Both vehicles have excellent interiors, user-friendly technology, tons of standard features, and the option of sedan or hatchback body types. They are also both a blast to drive. The Mazda3 has an edge over the Honda in that it has a lower starting price (by about $2,100) and all-wheel drive is an option. The Civic, on the other hand, has a bigger cargo area and is much more fuel-efficient.