2023 Honda Civic Review: The only car you’d ever need?
Professionals: Cool and well-made inside; very spacious; highly effective and environment friendly turbo engine; well-balanced driving dynamics
Cons: Expensive level of entry; no hybrid (but); Si inside is a bit cheesy
Even in the event you may spend much more than the 2023 Honda Civic prices, there’s an excellent probability it’s best to nonetheless take into account it. This not-that-compact sedan and hatchback are simply that good. Eager about getting a midsize sedan or small SUV? Take into account a Civic, too, it’s surprisingly spacious. Entry-level luxurious automobile? The Civic is surprisingly luxurious. Weekend sports activities automobile? The Civic Si (and even the Sport Touring with a guide) is a blast. The newest-generation Civic, launched final 12 months, is simply so well-rounded and so well-executed that it actually does transcend its easy compact automobile phase and open itself as much as all types of patrons.
Now, these on a tighter funds might admittedly not be amongst them this 12 months as Honda nixed the previous LX trim stage and jacked up the costs. Nonetheless, when you think about simply how a lot automobile you’re getting to your cash, the Civic nonetheless affords large worth given its mixture of area, gear, refinement, efficiency, gas economic system, security … we may go on. Once more, it’s well-rounded.
It is also value declaring that it appears to be like fairly darn good, particularly the ultra-cool inside with its full-width honeycomb air vents. Frankly, in the event you thought the Civic Hatchback regarded higher inside and outside than the mechanically associated Acura Integra, we wouldn’t argue. Ditto its varied conventional rivals, the Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Nissan Sentra, Kia Forte or Toyota Corolla. Past aesthetics, none of these can actually match the mix of optimistic attributes and/or mannequin selection provided by the 2023 Honda Civic. Critically, it’s simply terrific.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo House | Efficiency & Gas Financial system
What it is wish to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2023?
The LX trim stage is discontinued for 2023, which means the brand new base trim stage is the Sport, making the 2023 Civic’s base value larger than final 12 months. After being fully up to date final 12 months, the Civic in any other case goes unchanged, however an all-new Civic Sort R does rejoin the workforce. We additionally know {that a} Civic Hybrid is coming to exchange the Perception, however the timing of that was not identified on the time of this writing.
What are the Civic inside and in-car expertise like?
In a phase crammed with surprisingly spectacular interiors, the 2023 Civic inside delivers even within the base Sport trim stage with fabric seats and the bottom infotainment system (pictured within the giant image above). That is nonetheless an economic system automobile, so there’s loads of onerous plastic about (middle console, door sills), however what you see and contact most come collectively in a tasteful, fashionable design that appears (and feels) prefer it belongs in a a lot pricier automobile. There’s greater than a whiff of Audi proper right down to the way in which the buttons and knobs click on satisfyingly. We additionally must name out the dash-width air vents, with their honeycomb openings, metallic end and intelligent knob controllers (they’re outlined in pink within the Civic Si). They’re so nice Audi most likely needs it had give you them first.
Maybe most vital, nevertheless, the Civic is not held again by its infotainment system. There is a 7-inch base touchscreen (under left) and the Tourings get a 9-inch unit with elevated performance (under proper), however each signify enhancements over the last-generation system with faster responses, a extra wise menu construction and no glitches throughout our time with it. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are commonplace (wi-fi within the Touring), and with CarPlay at the very least, we like that Honda would not lock out touchscreen controls for the Music app (a standard annoyance).
The LX, Sport and EX have a mix of analog speedometer and 7-inch multi-purpose show, but it surely all seems to mix collectively into one unit. It is conventional in design, but fashionable in performance. The Touring and Si get a totally digital, 10.2-inch instrument panel that is comparable in fundamental look however gives higher performance and flashier graphics.
Lastly, one minor be aware in regards to the Si. As with its many predecessors, the inside options a lot of little pink accents, together with cross stitching, air vent trim and, most notably, the entrance seat facilities. Nevertheless, the again seat is just not solely simply black, however a special upholstery. It appears to be like low-cost. There’s additionally the questionable aesthetic selection of creating a pink inside necessary even when the skin is painted orange or electrical blue.
How large is the Civic?
The 2023 Civic is out there in sedan and hatchback physique kinds, though the latter is extra like an Audi A7 “Sportback” in physique model than an old-school, Civic hatchback. The sedan is 4.9 inches longer, all of which is behind the again wheels, making the trunk an extended, extra voluminous area than the Hatchback. That’s proper, we discovered the sedan may maintain extra baggage than the hatchback regardless of having much less cargo quantity on paper: 14.8 versus 24.5. What’s up with this? Mainly, all of the hatchback’s additional quantity is up excessive the place you’re much less doubtless or capable of put it to use for precise stuff. It does present higher versatility, nevertheless, as decreasing the seats grants a considerably bigger area that’s pretty just like what you’d discover in a subcompact SUV. Briefly, both physique model gives an distinctive quantity of cargo area for a compact automobile. It’s possible you’ll even discover you don’t must step as much as a midsize sedan just like the Accord or a small SUV just like the HR-V.
That verdict carries over to the again seat as nicely. Within the phase, its 37.4 inches of rear legroom is bettered solely by the Hyundai Elantra, and is about 2 inches greater than most rivals. For a compact automobile, it is positively not compact again there. A 6-foot-3 driver with the seat pushed all the way in which again nonetheless discovered sufficient area within the again seat of each physique kinds to take a seat comfortably “behind himself.” There was additionally simply sufficient headroom. There’s additionally loads of room left up entrance within the passenger seat after putting in a rear-facing little one seat within the again.
What are the Civic gas economic system and efficiency specs?
The Civic is out there with a selection of 4 engines, however that’s together with these within the Civic Si and Civic Sort R.
The Civic Sport is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four that produces that produces 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, which is a typical quantity for the phase. Entrance-wheel drive and a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT) are commonplace on each Civic sedan, however the Hatchback Sport will get the choice of a six-speed guide. Gas economic system is 30 miles per gallon metropolis, 37 mpg freeway and 33 mpg mixed for the sedan. The Hatchback Sport with the CVT returns 29/37/32 mpg, whereas the guide choice drops to 26/36/29.
The EX and Touring sedans, plus the EX-L and Sport Touring hatchbacks get a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. A CVT is commonplace on all trims with this engine, however the Sport Touring hatchback may be geared up with a sweet-shifting six-speed computerized. Apart from its considerably higher efficiency, this engine can be extra environment friendly: 32/42/36 mpg for the EX and 31/38/34 for the Touring, with the EX-L and Sport Touring hatchbacks doubtless being 1 mpg decrease, respectively (figures for 2023 weren’t out there on the time of this writing). The Sport Touring hatchback with the six-speed guide ought to return 28/37/31.
The Honda Civic Si additionally has a 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four, but it surely produces 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque. Entrance-wheel drive and a six-speed guide are necessary. It returns gas economic system of 27/37/31, however in contrast to the opposite Civics, requires premium gas. Additionally it is solely out there as a sedan.
The 2023 Honda Civic Sort R has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four that pumps out 315 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque – 9 hp and 15 lb-ft greater than earlier. It too is unique paired with front-wheel drive and a six-speed guide transmission. Efficiency figures and gas economic system estimates weren’t out there on the time of this writing. It is just out there as a hatchback.
What is the Civic wish to drive?
By its 11 generations, the Honda Civic has at all times been at its greatest and best when it was responsive and even enjoyable to drive. The 2023 Civic picks up the torch and builds on the numerous progress made by the final era. It is certainly enjoyable to drive, with a light-weight and agile really feel that encourages you to hunt out winding roads. The steering is exact and constantly weighted, imparting a way of connection to the motive force. Throttle response can be as you’d anticipate from a driver-focused automobile, although choosing Sport mode within the Sport or Touring trims actually wakes issues up with old-school, hair-trigger reactions that any driving fanatic ought to respect. Importantly, it’s additionally impressively snug, refined and even quiet for a compact automobile.
The turbo engine stays the one to get given its higher torque, sturdy acceleration and superior gas economic system. That stated, the naturally aspirated base engine is definitely acceptable – it has comparable energy to its rivals, but it surely’s smoother and sounds higher. It’s a Honda in any case. The just about-mandatory CVT makes up for some barely blender-like noises by limiting the yo-yoing between excessive and low revs related to this more and more widespread transmission. It additionally simulates gear modifications like different CVTs, however does so in a extra pure method than what you may discover in a Subaru, for instance.
Now, in the event you don’t love the thought of a CVT in any respect, the Hatchback alone affords a candy six-speed guide with both engine. The gearbox is flickable, however weighty. Notchy, however not burdensome. Simple to shift for newbies, however oh-so-fun to play with for consultants. Critically, the shifter really feel on this roughly $30,000 Honda places to disgrace these in way more costly sports activities automobiles. It additionally does wonders for the turbo engine, making it really feel and sound like a way more athletic (and classically Honda) powerplant.
In fact, if athleticism is your objective, there may be the Honda Civic Si (in addition to the mechanically associated Acura Integra). We may wax poetically in regards to the pleasure it’s to drive these, but it surely’s most likely greatest to dig into each deeper in our Civic Si evaluate and our Integra evaluate. We’d add, although, that the Civic Sport Touring hatchback with the guide is such a delight to drive, that we’d significantly take into account saving cash on the vendor and on the pump and simply going with that. Particularly versus the Integra.
As for the Civic Sort R, we had but to drive that on the time of this writing, however you’ll be able to examine it right here. We doubt we’ll dislike it given its joyful predecessor.
What different Honda Civic critiques can I learn?
2022 Honda Civic First Drive Assessment
Our first flip behind the wheel of the brand new Civic, together with extra in-depth details about its modifications, engineering and design. We additionally drove the range-topping Touring trim.
2022 Honda Civic Hatchback First Drive Assessment
Get an in-depth take a look at what’s completely different in regards to the Civic Hatchback, together with its cargo capability and the six-speed guide transmission that is not out there on the Civic sedan.
2022 Honda Civic Si First Drive Assessment
Dig deeper into the performance-oriented Civic Si, together with particulars about its engineering, design and what it is wish to drive.
What’s the 2023 Civic value?
Civic pricing is up significantly for 2023. MSRPs are up throughout the board, however the base value goes up the very best for the reason that previous base LX trim stage has been discontinued. Frankly, we don’t suppose that’s such a giant deal contemplating we urged customers to skip it final 12 months contemplating how a lot gear the Sport added versus its value premium. Nonetheless, you’re a place to begin of $25,745 for the Sport sedan, together with the $1,095 vacation spot cost, or $26,545 for the Sport hatchback. The Si begins at $29,195. Pricing for the Sort R was not out there on the time of this writing.
Sedan
Sport: $25,745
EX: $27,145
Touring: $30,745
Si: $29,195
Hatchback
Sport: $26,545
EX-L: $28,845
Sport Touring: $31,645
Sort R: TBA
What are the Civic security scores and driver help options?
Each Civic comes commonplace with ahead collision warning, computerized emergency braking, lane-keeping help, and adaptive cruise management with steering help and stop-and-go functionality. Blind-spot warning is included on all however the Sport.
The NHTSA gave each kinds 5 out of 5 stars for total, aspect and rollover crash safety, and 4 stars for frontal crash safety. The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security named the 2022 Civic Sedan and Hatchback a High Security Decide+ after it obtained the best-possible efficiency in each single class, which is a uncommon feat.
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