The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Many engine choices
- Hatchback option
- Spacious cabin
- Fun to drive
Dislikes
- Base engine’s a dullard
- Priced (and sized) like a midsize car
- Manual gearbox almost gone
Buying tip
features & specs
With 200 hp and 49 mpg combined, the new Honda Civic Hybrid slam-dunks its siblings for efficiency.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Honda Civic? What does it compare to?
The 2025 Honda Civic is a lineup of compact cars available in hatchback or sedan configurations. It’s versatile and well-equipped, making it a natural competitor to the Hyundai Elantra, Toyota Corolla, and Mazda 3.
Is the 2025 Honda Civic a good car?
The 2025 Honda Civic is an exceptional overall choice. There’s a flavor here for just about everyone, including hatchbacks, hybrids, and high-performance models. The balanced Civic lineup scores a TCC Rating of 7.2 out of 10 overall. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Honda Civic?
A new hybrid powertrain joins the lineup, where it replaces the previously available turbo-4 as the step-up engine choice. Otherwise, all Civic models see a host of modest styling updates that help contribute to small fuel economy gains across the entire range.
Honda sells the Civic in conventional sedan and slightly shorter—but more practical—hatchback body styles. They share a long nose with angular details up front. At the rear, they have similar design themes; the larger sedan has a sloped roofline that could fool you into thinking it’s a hatchback.
They’re good-looking cars inside, too, with a cleanly executed dash combining sporty touches like metallic honeycomb to hide the vents, plus either a 7.0- or 9.0-inch touchscreen that sprouts up just high enough for easy viewing.
Base Civic LX and Sport trims use a 2.0-liter inline-4 rated at a perfectly acceptable 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, where it’s paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Civic Sport Hybrid and Sport Touring Hybrid models make use of the new powertrain, which builds on a different 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with a big battery pack and an electric motor for a combined output of 200 hp and 232 lb-ft of torque.
The sedan-only Civic Si swaps in a sportier suspension and a 200-hp/192 lb-ft of torque turbo-4 for a nice balance between performance and day-to-day utility. The track-ready—but still rather docile—Civic Type R amps up with a 2.0-liter turbo-4 rated at a hearty 315 hp.
All models have a nimble, zippy feel, with terrific steering and a fantastic ride quality to match.
Fuel economy estimates are fantastic. They soar as high as 36 mpg combined with the base powertrain, and an impressive 49 mpg combined with the new hybrid. Si and Type R versions are thirstier but not budget-breakers.
These cars benefit from a nicely wrought cabin with good interior space and quality materials, even in base LX trim. Top-end versions have an infotainment system with Google built-in, including native Google Maps and the tech giant’s terrific voice-recognition system. Other models have a less slick infotainment setup.
Honda packs in a lot of crash-avoidance features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and active lane control, while many also include blind-spot monitors. It's also a Top Safety Pick honoree.
How much does the 2025 Honda Civic cost?
The $25,345 Civic LX is on the pricey side for a base compact sedan, but it’s no slouch when it comes to features. You’ll get the aforementioned safety tech, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and cloth seats.
We’re tempted by the Sport Hybrid at $29,845, which for its extra $4,500 includes the more powerful and far more fuel-efficient hybrid powertrain, plus heated front seats, a sunroof, and dual-zone automatic climate controls. The Civic hatchback starts in Sport form for $28,545, while the Si costs $31,045 and the Type R tracks out at $46,690.
Where is the 2025 Honda Civic made?
In Alliston, Ontario, and Greensburg, Indiana.
2025 Honda Civic Styling
Innocuous without being boring, the 2025 Honda Civic is a stylish choice.
Is the Honda Civic a good-looking car?
It’s a sharply styled lineup overall. The low roof, long hood, and sloping rear end give us a decidedly sporty vibe. We rate the overall range at 8 out of 10, with one point for its exterior and two for its cabin.
Sedans and coupes have the same blunt front fascia, with big hood and bumper that cascade into a Honda logo just above a small grille. The lower bumper has a bigger grille flanked by additional air intakes for an overall look that is simple and contemporary, a marked contrast to over-adorned Civics from recent history.
From the side, the Civic differs more in hatch and sedan forms, though both have a similar shape at first glance. The hatchback’s truncated rear end is the biggest differentiator, especially since the two have taillights and other details that have a similar vibe. Civic Si models come only as sedans, while the more tarted-up Civic Type R is only a hatch.
The Civic interior is Honda at its best. It’s simple, clever, and seemingly timeless. A gorgeous mesh honeycomb strip runs the width of the dash, hiding air vents with little joysticks. Honda does a fun job with fabric upholsteries, too, though the available leather cabins are light on color variety.
Civic Type R and Si models have red cloth and carpeting for an extra-spicy appearance.
2025 Honda Civic Performance
Balanced and almost entertaining, the 2025 Honda Civic is an exceptional small car.
The smallest sedan and hatchback in the Honda lineup is pleasant to drive in any configuration. The range rates a 6 out of 10 based on just how well even the base Civic LX handles. Sportier versions are in a league of their own, though, easily netting a couple of extra points for grip and acceleration.
Is the Honda Civic 4WD?
No, these are front-wheel-drive cars.
How fast is the Honda Civic?
The base Civic LX and rather improperly named Civic Sport use a 158-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 that works with a CVT to power the front wheels. This is a perfectly acceptable combination for basic commuting, but it’s light on refinement and flavor.
The new hybrid that powers Hybrid Sport and Hybrid Touring versions pairs the 4-cylinder with Honda’s 2-motor hybrid system. One motor transmits power to the front wheels while the other generates power for the engine. At low speeds the gas engine only kicks in on occasion, quietly, mimicking an electric vehicle also in the way it pumps out low-end torque. Honda configures four modes for regenerative braking, and four drive modes from Sport to Econ. It’s a seamless combination that so outperforms the base engine, it’s our pick—and Honda predicts it will become the lineup’s bestseller.
Base and hybrid Civics have a front strut and rear multi-link suspension that does a nice job soaking up big bumps. These are nimble feels with well-tuned steering in any form. Hybrids enjoy the same revised springs and dampers as base Civics. All Civics that aren’t Si or Type R models have an admirable ride and handling balance that lends a composed feel well beyond their mid-$20,000 price.
Civic Si and Civic Type R Performance
The Civic Si uses a 200-hp 1.5-liter turbo-4 that scoots it to 60 mph in a bit under seven seconds. The manual gearbox—it’s the only choice—is crisp and engaging. Better yet is the Civic Type R, which has a 315-hp turbo-4 that chirps the front tires as it rockets to 60 mph in about five seconds. It’s downright fast, but without too much boy-racer attitude.
Sure, the adaptive dampers once offered on sporty Civics delivered a better overall ride, but the latest model does a nice job balancing day-to-day isolation with enough firmness to limit body lean in hard cornering. These are thrilling cars in any form, and they’re backed up by strong brakes.
2025 Honda Civic Comfort & Quality
The 2025 Honda Civic has a spacious cabin.
No longer a compact car, the Civic is technically a midsize car. Sedans stretch a garage-filling 184 inches long, while hatchbacks are about half a foot shorter. The result is a big cabin that earns a point for comfy front seats. Hatchbacks are spacious enough that they’d score a 7.
The Civic’s front seats have good adjustment in any form; power operation is extra.
Big rear doors give way to a spacious second row, though the sleek roofline means taller passengers may need to duck their heads to slide aboard. With 37.1 inches of rear-seat legroom, the Civic can easily seat four or even five adults.
Most models have a fold-down rear seatback to help the average-size 15 cubic-foot trunk accommodate larger items. Hatchbacks have almost 25 cubes to work with, even though they’re shorter than sedans.
Honda drapes the cabin in nice materials in line with admittedly hefty prices. If you’re after the cheapest compact you can get, you won’t find it here.
2025 Honda Civic Safety
The 2025 Honda Civic sedan earns a Top Safety Pick+.
How safe is the Honda Civic?
The 2025 Honda Civic earns a five-star rating from the NHTSA and at least a Top Safety Pick from the IIHS, and it comes standard with a suite of crash-avoidance tech. It's an 8.
The IIHS gave the sedan its highest rating of a Top Safety Pick+, but the hatchback sits at the second tier TSP rating because it has not endured the updated front overlap test that checks for rear-seat passenger safety. The sedan earned an "Acceptable" rating in that new test, which many new cars have earned "Poor" ratings, so it's a safe vehicle for all occupants.
All models have automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, active lane control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control, while blind-spot monitors are widely available.
Don’t look for a surround-view camera system or any sort of hands-off driving assistance tech, though. Vision over the shoulder and out the rear of the hatchback is squished.
2025 Honda Civic Features
The 2025 Honda Civic is no bargain, but it feels worth the money.
Honda now wants $25,345 for the cheapest Civic sedan, which is a significantly higher cost of entry than many of its chief rivals. The Civic justifies that price hike by including lots of features, including good active safety tech and a decent 7.0-inch touchscreen. Those features each earn a point, while the 2025 Civic nets another above average thanks to its strong overall value. It’s an 8 here.
Warranty coverage is basic, at three years or 36,000 miles.
The base Civic sedan has 16-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, cloth upholstery, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Another $2,000 buys the Sport trim with its 18-inch alloy wheels that look good but hurt fuel economy.
The Civic hatchback starts in the better-equipped Sport grade for $28,545, which is $1,200 more than a sedan Sport.
Which Honda Civic should I buy?
The mid-level Civic Sport Hybrid costs $29,845, which is about $2,500 more than a mid-level Sport without the hybrid powertrain. But with a sunroof, heated front seats, and dual-zone automatic climate controls, it’s a pretty good value. It’s also quicker, more refined, and much more efficient than the Sport trim.
How much is a fully loaded Honda Civic?
The Civic Sport Touring Hybrid runs $32,845 with its leather upholstery, Bose audio system, and upsized 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, wireless smartphone mirroring, and device charging pad.
The Civic Si costs $31,045, and the Type R turns it up to $46,690.
2025 Honda Civic Fuel Economy
The 2025 Honda Civic has excellent fuel-economy estimates.
Is the Honda Civic good on gas?
Yes, so long as you stay away from turbocharged versions.
The base LX rates at 32 mpg city, 41 highway, 36 combined. The Sport’s 18-inch wheels nudge it to just 31/39/34 mpg, which is about the same for the hatchback at 30/38/34 mpg.
Hybrids get 50/47/49 mpg for the sedan and 50/45/48 mpg for the hatchback, which is impressive given that these cars are quite a bit more powerful than the LX and Sport. Honda expects the hybrids to be the volume model, earned the Civic a 7 for fuel economy.
The Si with the 6-speed manual rates at 27/37/31 mpg, while the Type R sinks to 22/28/24 mpg. Those models need premium fuel. Others use regular unleaded.