2020 Honda Civic Review

　　

2020 Honda Civic Review

byCameron RogersManager, News

　　Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at zzdcar include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).

　　It's fair to say that the Civic officially found its way out of the woods back when Honda introduced this latest generation in 2016. For nearly a decade prior, we were underwhelmed with the Civic's design and quality. But Honda got this latest 10th-generation Civic right and, for now, is content to polish at the margins.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 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

　　$127/mo  for Civic LX

　　Civic LX

　　LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $19,750 MSRPLX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $20,550 MSRPLX 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $20,950 MSRPLX 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $21,650 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $21,450 MSRPSport 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $21,750 MSRPSport 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $22,250 MSRPSport 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $22,550 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $22,750 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,550 MSRPEX 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,500 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $23,700 MSRPEX 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $24,150 MSRPEX-L 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $24,900 MSRPEX-L 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $25,350 MSRPSi 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $25,000 MSRPSi 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $25,000 MSRPSi 4dr Sedan w/Summer Tires (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $25,200 MSRPSi 2dr Coupe w/Summer Tires (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $25,200 MSRPTouring 2dr Coupe (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $27,150 MSRPTouring 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $27,600 MSRPSport Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $28,050 MSRPSport Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $28,850 MSRPType R 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $36,995 MSRP

　　vs

　　$164/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　While most Civics stay par for the course in 2020, the hatchbacks get a host of updates — several of which debuted on other body styles last year. This year, the Civic hatch gets front and rear styling updates that include revised foglight housings and blacked-out front trim accents. Inside, there are a few new features in different trims (a power-adjustable driver's seat in EX trims, for example) plus additional sound insulation, which should help quell some of the road noise complaints we've had with this current model.

　　Honda is also expanding the availability of Civic's optional six-speed manual transmission to include the hatchback's top Sport Touring trim. At a time when automakers can't get rid of the old-school stick shift fast enough, this move is a refreshing commitment from Honda to keep the connection between car and driver strong.

　　All of this adds to the 2020 Honda Civic's other strengths that include quick acceleration, crisp handling and cargo-carrying versatility. While it's still worth checking out the competition — including the sporty and recently redesigned Mazda 3, the weather-beating Subaru Impreza and the value-packed Kia Forte — the Honda Civic continues to set the benchmark.

　　Notably, we picked the 2020 Honda Civic as one of zzdcar' Best Gas Mileage Cars for 2020.

　　

What's it like to live with the Civic?

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 Gas Mileage Cars. Note that while we tested a 2016 Civic, all of our observations still apply to the 2020 model.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.4

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.5/10

　　How does the Civic drive? The optional turbocharged 1.5-liter engine delivers quick performance and excellent fuel economy. You have to upgrade to at least the EX trim to get it, but it's worth the cost. The 0-60 mph sprint took 6.7 seconds in zzdcar testing, which is remarkable for a non-performance car in this class.

　　The rest of the Civic's abilities are also standouts. The brake pedal is pleasantly firm and easy to modulate, and it brings the car to a halt quickly when you need it to. Steering and handling are also precise, which means the Civic is relatively fun to drive around turns.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Civic? The Civic has a lot of the midsize Accord's strengths but in a smaller package. Impacts from rough roads are very well-damped, and overall, the ride is smooth and controlled without being too floaty. The seats are similarly pleasant, and even the rear seats are well-cushioned.

　　Another comfort-enhancing element is the dual-zone automatic climate control. It does a great job of regulating the temperature and provides even coverage from the air vents. The Civic sedan is also fairly quiet overall, though it lets in a little too much road noise when you're driving on coarse road surfaces.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Civic's interior is cavernous. The sleek roofline reduces rear headroom somewhat, but otherwise the cabin is so spacious that four adults will have no problem fitting comfortably for long road trips. Up front, the Civic offers easy access through the light doors with large openings. The rear doors open wide, making entry easy, but the sloped roof might require tall people to duck in.

　　The rest of the cabin is user-friendly as well. For the most part, the controls are clearly labeled and within reach. It's easy to find a good seating position thanks to the generous range of the steering wheel and driver's seat adjustments. Doing so also provides you with a clear view out of the windshield and to the sides.

　　

Technology

8.5/10

　　How’s the tech? Even though the Civic is one of the older sedans in its class, its technology is still first-rate. An array of advanced driving aids — including adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist — is standard. But we find the absence of a blind-spot monitor odd, and the LaneWatch camera is an ineffective substitute.

　　All but the base LX feature two USB ports and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Information is beamed to a 7-inch touchscreen. In general, the system is a little sluggish and the graphics dated, but the Touring trim's 10-speaker audio system provides crisp sound, and the navigation system is easy to learn.

　　

Storage

8.5/10

　　How’s the storage? The Civic sedan features clever interior storage solutions. And at 15.1 cubic feet, its trunk is one of the largest in the class, so you'll have no problem fitting sizable bags inside. The seats don't fold flat all the way, but the opening between the trunk and the cabin is large.

　　Finding a spot for your personal effects in the cabin is also easy. There's a useful two-tiered cubby in the center console that features a cord pass-through for tidy smartphone storage and charging. There's also lots of room under the front armrest. For family duty, it's easier to install a car seat in the Civic's roomy back seat than in many rival small sedans.

　　

Fuel Economy

9.5/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The Civic sedan with the turbocharged engine and CVT automatic is rated at 36 mpg combined (32 city/42 highway). These are exceptional numbers, especially considering the Civic's class-leading performance. In our own testing, we've found the Civic comes pretty close to matching the EPA estimates in real-world driving.

　　

Value

8.5/10

　　Is the Civic a good value? Apart from an unremarkable warranty, the Civic delivers a good value. For a competitive price, you get a pleasing amount of equipment plus build quality that punches far above the standards for this class. And we can't ignore the Civic's excellent reliability history.

　　Honda offers typical automaker warranties: three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, identical coverage for roadside assistance, and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

　　

Wildcard

8.5/10

　　The continuously variable automatic transmission saps some of the fun out of the Civic, but it's hard to argue with the acceleration and above-average handling. The Civic doesn't have the style of the Mazda 3 or the refinement of the VW Golf, but it's close on both fronts.

　　

Which Civic does zzdcar recommend?

There's no doubt the two lower trims offer a good deal of features for the money. And if you're looking for an inexpensive sedan with lots of goodies, the Sport is an excellent value. But the Civic's single most desirable feature is the turbocharged engine, which is included starting at the midtier EX. The EX is our recommended trim for its affordable blend of performance and luxury features.

　　

2020 Honda Civic models

The 2020 Honda Civic sedan is offered in LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, Touring and Si trims. The base LX comes with a lot of equipment for the money, but the Sport may be worth the upgrade for those looking for extra features. The EX includes a turbocharged engine plus other goodies, and the EX-L primarily adds leather upholstery. The Touring is the most luxurious Civic, while the Si swaps some amenities for a sportier driving experience. Two other body styles — the Best Gas Mileage Cars and Best Gas Mileage Cars — have differing trim structures and are reviewed separately.

　　The LX and the Sport are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (158 horsepower, 138 lb-ft of torque) paired to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The EX, EX-L and Touring step up to a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder (174 hp, 162 lb-ft) mated to the CVT automatic. The Si uses a more powerful version of this motor (205 hp, 192 lb-ft) and is exclusively available with the manual transmission.

　　Though it may be the base trim, the standard Civic LX sedan comes with a lot of equipment for the money. Standard equipment includes 16-inch steel wheels and automatic climate control. Electronics features include a 5-inch central display screen and a four-speaker sound system.

　　Also standard is the Honda Sensing safety package. It includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and keeping assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

　　The Sport adds upgrades such as 18-inch alloy wheels, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, keyless ignition and entry, a 7-inch touchscreen interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, and an eight-speaker audio system.

　　Stepping up to the EX secures the turbocharged 1.5-liter engine, along with a sunroof, 17-inch wheels, Honda's LaneWatch blind-spot camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat.

　　If you want a few more features, there's the EX-L with its leather upholstery. The Touring has 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a power-adjustable passenger seat, heated rear seats, navigation, and a 10-speaker audio system.

　　The Si builds off the EX-L and adds a few performance bits, including the more powerful engine. It also includes a limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned suspension with adaptive dampers, bigger front brakes, Si-branded sport seats, the 10-speaker stereo, and a unique gauge cluster.

　　

2020 Civic Highlights

Type: HatchbackSedanCoupeSiType RSedan

　　Trim: LXSportEXEX-LSiTouringLX

　　

Base MSRP	$19,750
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	29 MPG
Cost to Drive	$127/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	15.1 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles