2018 Honda Civic Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　

What's new

For 2018, the Honda Civic carries forward unchanged

　　It's hard to overstate how much we like the 2018 Honda Civic. Equipped with the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, it's one of the best cars in its class for delivering both impressive acceleration and high fuel economy. Inside, it has plenty of room for passengers, clever storage solutions and more cargo space than most competitors in any body style. It also offers technology features that put some other compact cars to shame and safety ratings that are among the best.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Honda Civic LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) 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 $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$114/mo  for Civic LX

　　Civic LX

　　LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $18,940 MSRPLX 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $19,350 MSRPLX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $19,740 MSRPLX 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $20,150 MSRPLX 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $20,150 MSRPLX 4dr Sedan w/Honda Sensing (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $20,740 MSRPLX 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $20,950 MSRPLX 4dr Hatchback w/Honda Sensing (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $21,950 MSRPLX-P 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,150 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $21,340 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan w/Honda Sensing (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $22,340 MSRPEX 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,250 MSRPEX 4dr Hatchback w/Honda Sensing (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $24,250 MSRPEX-T 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $21,700 MSRPEX-T 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $21,800 MSRPEX-T 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $22,500 MSRPEX-T 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $22,600 MSRPEX-T 4dr Sedan w/Honda Sensing (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,500 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $21,750 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $22,550 MSRPEX-L 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,725 MSRPEX-L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $24,000 MSRPEX-L 4dr Sedan w/Navigation (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,000 MSRPEX-L 4dr Sedan w/Honda Sensing (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,000 MSRPEX-L 4dr Hatchback w/Navigation (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,750 MSRPEX-L 4dr Hatchback w/Navigation and Honda Sensing (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $26,750 MSRPSi 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $24,100 MSRPSi 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $24,100 MSRPSi 4dr Sedan w/Summer Tires (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $24,300 MSRPSi 2dr Coupe w/Summer Tires (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $24,300 MSRPTouring 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $26,425 MSRPTouring 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $26,800 MSRPSport Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $28,750 MSRPType R Touring 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $34,700 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Available as a sedan, coupe or hatchback, in a variety of powertrains, the Civic has a version for every niche, and all of them are good. Want more sauce? There's the sportier Civic Si, as well as the absolutely bananas Civic Type R. Just as impressive, neither one sacrifices the qualities we love about the standard variants.

　　The Civic does have some weaknesses. The infotainment interface is far from the easiest system to use, and the available forward collision alert system is prone to overreaction. Also, though cargo volume is good, the sloping rear glass of the hatchback and deck of the sedan mean that taller or bulkier items can sometimes be hard to fit.

　　There are competitors with specific strengths that make them worth checking out. The Mazda 3 is engaging to drive and, in higher trims, offers a near-luxury cabin. The Subaru Impreza, which comes standard with all-wheel drive, and the value-packed Kia Forte also merit consideration. Overall, though, the Civic wins the day with its multitude of strengths.

　　Notably, we picked the 2018 Honda Civic Si as one of zzdcar' Best Sport Sedans for this year.

　　

What's it like to live with?

The Honda Civic has long been one of the better compact cars, but its 2016 redesign was nothing short of game-changing. Not only did it help revitalize the Civic nameplate, it shifted our expectations of what a compact car could be. This generation Civic is well-regarded for its spacious cabin, excellent ride quality, upscale interior materials and superb handling. We're also smitten with its powerful and efficient turbocharged engine. We liked it so much, in fact, that we plunked down our own money to buy one. To read about our experiences with a top-of-the-line Touring sedan, read our Best Sport Sedans. Note that while we tested a 2016 Civic, all of our observations still apply to the 2018 model.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

8.4 / 10

　　The 2018 Honda Civic is one of our favorite small cars. On top of its excellent performance, practicality and comfort, it offers a plethora of configurations. The Civic will have something to offer almost any shopper.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Honda Civic Touring Sedan (turbo 1.5L inline-4 | CVT automatic | FWD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	8.4 / 10
Driving	8.5
Comfort	8.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	8.0

　　

Driving

8.5

　　The optional 1.5-liter turbo-four is unusual in its sound and power delivery for a Honda engine, but it offers best-in-class power and fuel economy. It's worth the extra money. All around, the Civic's driving performance is top-notch, with strong brakes and accurate steering.

　　

Acceleration

9.5

　　The Civic feels strong when you roll onto the gas to execute a pass and it's quick at city speeds thanks to ample low-end power. The strong 1.5-liter turbocharged engine accelerates like few others in the class. It pulls seamlessly to cruising speed, with an outstanding 0-60 mph time of 6.7 seconds.

　　

Braking

9.0

　　Whether it's a casual suburban stop or heavy braking at a surprise red light, stops are sure and straight with a firm pedal that's easy to modulate. In our emergency braking test, the Civic posted slightly better than average stopping distances.

　　

Steering

8.0

　　Steering is precise, with consistent, natural-feeling weighting. The variable-ratio system combines excellent steadiness when cruising straight with quick reflexes in corners and tight turning in parking lots. Feedback through the thick-rimmed wheel is good for the class.

　　

Handling

8.0

　　Body roll is controlled, and quick transitions are handled nicely, inspiring driver confidence. It feels playful, and there's lots of freedom and control for the driver — the well-tuned stability system doesn't quash the fun either.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　Honda's CVT simulates shifts under hard acceleration. But it is otherwise very smooth, eliminating shift shock and transmission indecisiveness because it doesn't shift in the traditional sense. The accelerator is smooth and predictable, which makes the Civic easy to drive.

　　

Comfort

8.5

　　The Civic has a lot of the midsize Accord's strengths but in a smaller package. The seats are comfortable and supportive without going overboard. The ride is smooth and well-controlled without being too cushy. Road and engine noise is never far away, but the noise is never enough to be distracting.

　　

Seat comfort

8.5

　　An available eight-way power driver's seat offers a huge range of motion, making it suitable for drivers of varying heights. There's a good balance of compliance and support, and the seats remain comfortable on longer drives. The back seat is comfy as well and doesn't feel like an afterthought.

　　

Ride comfort

9.0

　　The Civic rides like a bigger, more refined car. You can still feel road textures beneath but impacts are very well damped. Big undulations, especially midcorner, are handled with impeccable control and betray not one iota of float.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.5

　　The turbocharged engine has a very un-Honda-like growl to it and the CVT causes a light drone when accelerating. Otherwise, wind and road noise is kept in check, becoming more noticeable over coarse surfaces. There are quieter choices, but this Civic improves a good deal on previous generations.

　　

Climate control

8.0

　　The dual-zone automatic climate control does a good job of regulating the temperature with even coverage from the vents. You'll have to occasionally adjust the setting between sunny and cloudy conditions, but only by a few degrees. Full manual control requires interacting with the touchscreen. Three-stage heated front seats and two-stage rears take a little while to warm up but are nice and toasty at full blast.

　　

Interior

8.0

　　The Civic delivers a spacious, versatile cabin for both people and their things, with good rear legroom and clever storage solutions. The easy-to-use interior control layout is marred by terrible touch-sensitive audio volume and tuning controls and a poorly optimized touchscreen interface.

　　

Ease of use

6.0

　　The primary controls are well placed and won't require the driver to adjust how they're used. There are a lot of functions at your command, but the simple design makes them approachable. The lack of a volume knob is a source of constant frustration, but Honda rectifies this for the 2019 Civic.

　　

Getting in/getting out

7.5

　　Up front the Civic offers easy access through light doors with large openings. The rear doors open wide, making it easy to climb in, but the sloped roof might require tall people to duck in. The low ride height makes it tough for long-legged passengers to enter gracefully, but most people won't have a problem.

　　

Driving position

8.0

　　The driver's seat offers a ton of adjustment, with enough vertical travel to accommodate tall and short drivers alike. The steering wheel could use a bit more telescoping range, and tall drivers might have to scoot forward a little more than they might expect for comfortable control of the wheel. Not a deal-breaker, though.

　　

Roominess

9.0

　　The Civic is one of the most spacious compact sedans, offering plenty of headroom up front even with the sunroof. In the back, a 6-foot-tall rear passenger will have plenty of legroom behind a like-heighted driver but may wish for more headroom, but this is common in this segment.

　　

Visibility

8.0

　　There's good visibility out the front and side windows, thanks in part to front pillars that aren't too thick. The sloping roof impinges on the rear three-quarter view, but the large side mirrors, a rearview camera and Honda's LaneWatch camera take the guesswork out of almost all maneuvers.

　　

Quality

9.0

　　Construction is tight and solid inside and out, so even though there's quite a bit of plastic around the cabin, everything feels well-built. On higher trims a number of surfaces, especially major touch points, are covered in higher-quality materials, which elevate the interior feel.

　　

Utility

8.5

　　The Civic features a nice, spacious trunk and clever interior storage solutions. You'll have no problem fitting large bags in back or finding a spot for your personal effects in the cabin. The roomy back seat also makes it easier to load a car seat than it is in many rival compact sedans.

　　

Small-item storage

8.5

　　The small, narrow front door pockets will hold a water bottle and a few other goodies. A cool, two-tiered cubby in the center console features a pass-through for a cord, for tidy smartphone stowage and charging. There's tons of storage under the front armrest, too, with large cupholders underneath. The rear cupholders are also sizable.

　　

Cargo space

8.5

　　At 15.1 cubic feet, the Civic's trunk is one of the best in the class. There's tons of vertical room, so large suitcases should fit without a problem. There are pulls in the trunk to lower the rear seats, but you will have to push the seats down to fold them. The seats don't fold flat, but the opening between the trunk and cabin is very large.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

　　Four LATCH anchors are hidden behind the seats, with medium-firm leather that requires a little wiggling to push aside. Luckily, the anchors are close to the front of the seatback. The large door openings and the roomy back seat should make it easier to fit a car seat in the Civic than in other compacts.

　　

Technology

8.0

　　Though the user interface is difficult to use, the rest of the Civic's tech is great by class standards. The premium audio system is good compared to rivals, and navigation input is easy and intuitive. Most models have dual USB ports and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Honda Sensing includes all the main advanced driving aids you'd want and is available on all trims.

　　

Audio & navigation

8.5

　　The slightly sluggish touchscreen interface is strangely quicker when operating within the navigation screens. There's some front speaker rattle with loud bass and a little distortion from higher-pitched music. But the 12-speaker audio system sounds better than most rival systems at this price point. The nav system is excellent and also features destination search.

　　

Smartphone integration

8.0

　　EX models and up include the full suite of smartphone integration features available with the Civic, including dual USB ports (in lieu of just one) and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. These systems are far easier to use than Honda's native infotainment, making a strong case for at least the EX model.

　　

Driver aids

7.5

　　The Honda Sensing package — which includes adaptive cruise control and lane departure mitigation, among others — is a $1,000 option on most Civics but standard on the Touring. Many cars in this price class have these systems and they're nice to have and technically work, but they aren't as refined as systems in the luxury segment.

　　

Voice control

7.5

　　The standard voice control system requires the user to issue a specific set of commands. Like other systems on budget-friendly cars, it doesn't offer natural speech detection. Your phone's voice assistant is better, and you can access it by pressing and holding the voice control button on the wheel.

　　

Which Civic does zzdcar recommend?

　　For mainstream Civic buyers, we think the extra power and fuel economy of the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine make it one of the Civic's best options. To that end, we recommend the EX-T sedan or EX hatchback. Both add a touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, an upgraded sound system, dual-zone climate control, proximity entry with push-button start and Honda's LaneWatch camera, all of which improve day-to-day satisfaction. There's nothing wrong with the base LX, but we think the upgrades are worth the money.

　　

2018 Honda Civic models

　　The 2018 Honda Civic is a compact car offered as a sedan, coupe or hatchback. The sedan is available in six different trim levels: LX, EX, EX-T, EX-L, Touring and Si. There are also three hatchback-specific trims — Sport, Sport Touring and Type R — and one coupe-specific trim, LX-P.

　　Note that the following trim level feature info primarily relates to the sedan. The coupe and hatchback are similarly equipped but can vary slightly in certain instances.

　　Though it may be the base trim, the standard Civic LX sedan comes with a lot of equipment for the money. Standard equipment highlights include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower, 138 lb-ft of torque), a six-speed manual transmission (a continuously variable automatic transmission is also available), front-wheel drive, 16-inch steel wheels, LED running lights, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, automatic climate control and a height-adjustable driver seat. Electronics features include a 5-inch central display screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, and a four-speaker sound system with a USB port.

　　Optional for just about every Civic is the Honda Sensing safety package. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and intervention, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

　　In the Civic Hatchback, the LX trim comes with the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine (174 horsepower, 167 lb-ft of torque), while the coupe-only LX-P trim comes standard with the 2.0-liter engine, the CVT automatic, a sunroof, keyless ignition and entry, and remote start.

　　The hatchback-specific Sport comes with the LX equipment plus a more powerful version of the turbocharged engine (180 hp, 177 lb-ft of torque), 18-inch alloy wheels, foglights, a center-outlet dual exhaust, aerodynamic bodywork, a rear center armrest with cupholders, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

　　The Honda Civic EX sedan builds off the base LX, adding the CVT as standard along with a sunroof, alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, a rear center armrest with cupholders, an eight-speaker audio system with dual USB ports, Honda's LaneWatch blind-spot camera, dynamic guidelines for the rearview camera, keyless ignition and entry with remote start, and a 7-inch touchscreen interface with satellite radio, Best Sport Sedans, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration (including app-based navigation).

　　Stepping up to the EX-T sedan gets you the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Thanks to impressive acceleration and big fuel economy numbers (up to 32 mpg city), the turbocharged four-cylinder is enough reason alone to buy an EX-T Civic or above if you're opting for the sedan. But the EX-T also adds 17-inch wheels, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats. For the coupe, the EX-T gets an upgraded 10-speaker stereo system. The EX hatchback is equipped similarly to the EX-T sedan, lacking only the sedan's heated front seats.

　　Right near the top of the heap is the EX-L sedan, which gets leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver's seat and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. An integrated navigation system is available as an option.

　　The hatchback-only Sport Touring essentially builds off the regular Sport trim and adds different 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, automatic wipers, a four-way power passenger seat, heated rear seats and a 12-speaker audio system. Also standard is the Honda Sensing safety package.

　　The Touring trim level (for the sedan and coupe) essentially comes with the same equipment as the Sport Touring hatchback noted above, but the stereo has 10 speakers instead of 12.

　　The Si is a midlevel performance version of the Civic that comes as a coupe or sedan, both with a more powerful version of the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine (205 hp, 192 pound-feet of torque). A six-speed manual is the only transmission offered. Standard equipment is similar to what Honda has on the EX-T trim, but you also get a sport-tuned multilink suspension with adaptive dampers, bigger front brakes, a limited-slip front differential, a unique rear spoiler, Si branded seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, the 10-speaker stereo, and a unique instrument panel with faux carbon-fiber surfaces.

　　For detailed Civic Si information and driving impressions, please read our Best Sport Sedans.

　　At the top of the performance ladder for the Civic is the hatchback-only Type R. It is equipped much like the Sport Touring trim level, but it gets a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (306 hp, 285 lb-ft). Like the Si, it is only available with a six-speed manual transmission. Other additions include 20-inch wheels with high-performance tires, bigger front and rear brakes, a massive rear wing, a Type R-specific suspension with adaptive dampers, and special interior and exterior styling enhancements. 

　　You can also learn more about the new Type R in our Best Sport Sedans

　　

2018 Civic Highlights

Type: HatchbackSedanCoupeType R TouringSiCoupe

　　Trim: LXLX-PEX-TEX-LSiTouringLX

　　

Base MSRP	$19,350
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	32 MPG
Cost to Drive	$115/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	12.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles