The Car Connection Expert Review Show
October 25, 2022 Likes
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Buying tipThe 2023 Honda Civic is best appreciated with turbo power, though you don’t have to spring for the Civic Si to have a fun commuter. features & specsEX-L CVT Sport CVT Sport Manual The 2023 Honda Civic offers unmatched poise and balance, as well as great value.What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Honda Civic? What does it compare to? The Civic comes in hatchback and sedan forms. Shop this compact car against the Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3, among others. Is the 2023 Honda Civic a good car? Review continues below The 2023 Honda Civic is a highly rational choice, with its crisp styling matched by balanced moves over the road and appealing turbo power. It earns a 6.8 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.) What's new for the 2023 Honda Civic? After a revamp last year, the Civic lineup sees some trim tweaks for 2023. The base Civic LX sedan bites the dust, meaning the LX hatchback is now the cheapest model in the lineup. At the opposite end, a high-performance Civic Type R is set to debut later in the model year. We’ll update this space when we’ve driven it. The Civic comes in two basic styles: sedan and slightly shorter (but more practical) hatchback. All versions have clean, purposeful styling that should withstand the test of time better than the old model’s busy, alien-like lines. Sport versions have 18-inch wheels and body kits, while the Si (which comes only as a sedan) is subtly dressier yet with its own finishes outside and a broader range of color options. Inside, Honda parks the standard 7.0-inch or optional 9.0-inch touchscreen display high on the dash above a honeycomb panel that disguises the airline-like climate control vents. The overall look is impressive, even in the cheapest versions Honda offers. The base 156-hp inline-4 fitted to LX and Sport trims offers adequate go in typical situations, though the CVT keeps the engine well into its power band for optimal acceleration. We’re far more smitten with the downsized 1.5-liter turbo-4, which offers upsized power, refinement, and fuel economy. Its 180 hp comes on quickly but progressively. The CVT works well enough here. On all, the available 6-speed manual gearbox is a delight, though. Civic Si models use a 200-hp version of the turbo-4, which is matched exclusively to an especially slick version of the 6-speed manual. Fuel economy is a highlight, with every variant able to brag about upward of 30 mpg combined in EPA testing. The most popular versions—turbos with the CVT—come in at a spectacular 36 mpg combined. All cars ride comfortably and boast quick responses. Sport versions are more about style than any real performance enhancement, though their 18-inch wheels ride a bit more firmly, if that’s your thing. The Civic Si lost its previously standard adaptive dampers, which is a shame, but these models still ride comfortably enough for commuting. The well-proportioned interior looks and feels worth the prices Honda charges. Cargo space is decent in sedans and great in hatchbacks, which rival some small SUVs for real-world utility. Honda includes automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control across the line. Blind-spot monitors are available. All models boast a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS. How much does the 2023 Honda Civic cost? A pared-down lineup this year means you’ll need to budget $24,645 for a base Civic LX hatchback, which includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a good array of crash-avoidance tech. We’d save up for a turbocharged model, which means stepping up to the EX sedan or the EX-L hatchback, both of which add heated front seats, sunroofs, and more speakers. Plan to spend a little more than $27,000. Where is the 2023 Honda Civic made? In Canada and Greensburg, Indiana. The Honda Civic has finally grown up.Is the Honda Civic a good-looking car? For once, we can say that it is. The latest Civic wears clean, sculpted lines that do away with the overwhelming fussiness Honda built into its predecessor. We like its interior even more. It’s an 8 out of 10 overall. The latest model has a blunt front end with a prominent brow created by a sloping hoodline. Simple headlights give it timeless appeal. The side profile hints at a fastback design in sedans. Hatchbacks wear a similar profile, right up until the last few inches, which have been topped off. They’re not quite as balanced. All models now ride on alloy wheels, ranging from 16 to 18 inches in diameter. Civic Si models have a special body kit and a slightly more expressive paint color palette. Inside, the Civic is truly at its best. The simple, elegant cabin’s highlight is its honeycomb-like strip that helps hide the climate control vents. Honda is light on fun interior hues, though the Civic Si comes with black and red cloth that looks a bit racier than the standard range of blacks and greiges. Review continues below Terrific overall balance earns the 2023 Honda Civic a 6 for its performance.Is the Honda Civic 4WD? No, these compact cars are front-wheel-drive only. How fast is the Honda Civic? Base models with the 156-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 can feel wheezy when pushed, but turbocharged models deliver impressive thrust. The CVT fitted to most configurations winds the engine up and parks it right in the middle of the power band, too, which delivers better grunt but also a good amount of noise. The 1.5-liter turbo-4 fitted to EX and higher trims (but, ironically, not the Sport) coughs up 180 hp for confident highway passing and on-ramp merging. They’re marginally thriftier, too, if you need another justification for spending a little more right out of the box. The turbocharged engine works better with the CVT, mostly because it makes its power peak at lower engine speeds. On all, the 6-speed manual gearbox is a downright delight to operate. Step up to the Civic Si and you’ll find a 200-hp version of the turbo-4 for a sub-seven-second sprint to 60 mph. The engine is quick to rev, and torque comes on in full force at just 1,800 rpm. The only gearbox here is the 6-speed manual, which uses a single-mass flywheel for jumpier off-the-line performance Matching the turbo-4 is an impressive chassis with admirable balance and terrific steering heft. The Civic is a delight to muscle around in any configuration. The strut and multi-link suspension absorbs big bumps with aplomb, and even big wheel options can swallow up smaller road imperfections with ease. Civic Si models are sharper all around, with rapid-fire steering and a firm but comfortable ride—though we lament Honda’s decision to scrap the previously standard adaptive dampers. Review continues below Forget about compact; the latest Honda Civic is a proper mid-sizer in terms of real-world utility.Remember when the Honda Civic was a little car? We barely do, either. The latest model offers great interior space and a decent trunk, plus a distinctive style that belies its reasonable price tag. Our 6 out of 10 score here comes courtesy its good front seats, though its fairly big trunk would nearly earn a point on its own. The Civic sedan stretches more than 183 inches between its bumper, making it as big as the older mid-size sedan you might find yourself trading in. (Hatchbacks are about four inches shorter) That girth means good interior volume. Better yet are the comfy front seats, though Honda requires stepping up to the priciest versions for full power adjustment. Second-row riders have big door openings that lead to a decent 37.1 inches of leg room. The bench itself is nicely sculpted to carve out more head room, too. Most versions have a split-folding rear seatback for improved utility, though lower-trim models have just a single seatback that can limit utility. The trunk itself offers nearly 15 cubic feet of cargo space in most sedan versions. Hatchbacks are noticeably better: look for the better part of 25 cubes. Civics have a stylish design and price-appropriate materials throughout. Review continues below The 2023 Honda Civic is among the best choices in the compact car segment.How safe is the Honda Civic? It’s a downright safe choice thanks to good ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS plus an impressive array of crash-avoidance tech. We rate the 2023 Civic at 8 out of 10. The IIHS calls it a Top Safety Pick+, while the NHTSA says it’s a five-star overall vehicle. Nice work, Honda. Standard fare across the range includes automatic emergency braking, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, while blind-spot monitors and parking sensors are available. Outward vision is good forward but less impressive over shoulders due to the slinky shape. Review continues below Even with a pared-back lineup this year, the 2023 Honda Civic remains a great buy.Solid standard fare, a reasonable base price, and a decent infotainment system land the 2023 Honda Civic at 8 out of 10 on the TCC scale. That said, expect to pay more for one this year. The base Civic LX sedan is gone. That leaves the Civic LX hatchback as the entry to the lineup at $24,645. It’s nicely outfitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and crash-avoidance tech. It uses the base inline-4 rather than the more powerful turbo-4 option. The cheapest sedan is the ironically named Sport, which costs $25,745 and adds to the LX hatch 18-inch alloy wheels and a few sporty-looking touches inside and out, though it retains the 158-hp engine. Honda’s 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is bare minimum coverage by modern compact car standards. Which Honda Civic should I buy? The turbo-4 is worth the upgrade, so look at the EX sedan at $27,045 or the EX-L hatchback at $28,345. Both have blind-spot monitors, a sunroof, more speakers, and heated front seats. Hatchbacks add leather. How much is a fully loaded Honda Civic? The Civic Sport Touring hatchback runs $31,145, and it includes Bose audio, wireless smartphone mirroring via an upsized 9.0-inch touchscreen, and a few other niceties. Somewhat amazingly, it’s available with either the CVT or the 6-speed manual, too. The Civic Si, meanwhile, comes in a single $29,195 configuration with the 8.0-inch display, cloth seats, and the zippy 190-hp inline-4. Review continues below It’s no hybrid, but the 2023 Honda Civic delivers spectacular fuel economy.Is the Honda Civic good on gas? It’s a great choice. The most popular models—those with the turbo-4 and the CVT—are rated at a hefty 33 mpg city, 42 highway, 36 combined. The base non-turbo engine still impresses at 31/40/35 mpg, too. Hatchbacks are slightly less aerodynamic at 35 mpg and 34 mpg for the turbo and non-turbo, respectively, but you’re not likely to notice a big difference in real-world use. Models with the manual transmission vary by configuration, but the EPA says to expect in the neighborhood of 29 to 31 mpg combined. Civic Si models need premium fuel; others use cheaper regular unleaded. Review continues below Continue Reading The Car Connection Consumer ReviewWill there be a Civic Hybrid in 2023?While versions like the Civic Si or Civic Type-R tend to steal the spotlight, the Honda Civic Hybrid is also making a comeback, for 2023, after eight years of absence. With that said, the 2023 Civic Hybrid already made its debut in Europe, in March, and Honda recently revealed more details about it.
How fast is a Honda Civic Hybrid?117 mph is faster than most people drive—and it's dozens of miles over any U.S. speed limit. But when it comes speed, many drivers are actually looking for fast acceleration. The Honda Civic Hybrid accelerates 0 to 60 mph in just under 12 seconds.
Is Honda going to make a hybrid Civic?Return of the Honda Civic Hybrid
Some years it's been the Insight, but for 2024 the Civic Hybrid makes another comeback to kick off what will be its third era. The car is expected to ride on the same platform as other 11th-generation Civics and will likely be just as good to drive.
Will the Honda Civic 2022 be a hybrid?The all-new Civic e:HEV is a dynamic self-charging, full hybrid hatchback that complements the Civic's design and technology with exhilarating, electrified power.
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