2024 Honda Civic Hatchback

　　

2024 Honda Civic Hatchback Review

byDan FrioReviews Editor

　　Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to zzdcar, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.

　　, rating written byDan FrioAssociate Manager, Vehicle Testing and Operations

　　Rex Tokeshi-Torres has worked in the automotive industry for over 17 years. Rex is a vehicle testing technician and photographer at zzdcar and is responsible for coordinating vehicle testing and logistics, organizing data, and capturing photos for the site and social media. He has written over 100 vehicle-related articles and has rated, tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. He has also contributed content to Autobytel, Autotrader, Automobile, the Associated Press and DSport along with various motorsport teams. His affinity with cars started because of Hot Wheels and his love of modifying cars. He occasionally drives Subarus.

　　The current-generation Honda Civic is one of the automaker's best yet. In fact, our test team named the Civic the zzdcar Top Rated Car for 2023. Just about everything you'd want from a small sedan or hatchback is here, including plenty of interior room, pleasing performance, and nearly all of the latest technology and driver assist features Honda has on offer. There's even the high-performance 315-horsepower Type R version to satisfy driving enthusiasts.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Honda Civic LX 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) 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 $3.06 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 Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) - $24,950 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl CVT) (Most Popular) - $26,350 MSRPSport 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 6M) - $26,350 MSRPEX-L 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $28,650 MSRPSport Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo CVT) - $31,450 MSRPSport Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $31,450 MSRPType R 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 6M) - $44,795 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Civic sedan or hatchback?

We like that Honda offers the Civic as a sedan or hatchback. The main difference between the two is, as you can likely guess, is cargo space. The sedan has a traditional trunk that can hold 14.8 cubic feet of stuff. That's a respectable amount of space for a small sedan. But pick the hatchback, which has a slightly more bulbous profile and a lift-up rear hatch, and you get 24.5 cubes of space behind the rear seats. The lift-up hatch also makes it easier to load bulky items in the back. The Civic hatchback does cost more than the sedan but we think having a more versatile cargo area is worth it.

　　

Competitors to consider

Overall, the 2024 Honda Civic is a great pick for a small car. But it can be worth your time to check out a few alternatives. Besides the Hyundai Elantra and Toyota Corolla, we also recommend the value-packed Kia Forte or the refined Mazda 3. Be sure to read our Expert Rating below for our test team's take on what you can expect regarding the Civic's performance, comfort and more.

　　

What’s it like to live with?

Not only did we name the Honda Civic our zzdcar Top Rated Sedan for 2022, but we also added one to our long-term review fleet. We opted for the Civic Si so that we could row through the manual transmission's gears for 20,000 miles and 12 months and learn what we like and dislike about one of our top picks. Check out all of our experiences with the 2022 Honda Civic Si.

　　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.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the Civic Hatchback drive? We tested a Civic Sport Touring hatchback, which has the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. At our test track, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, a little quicker than the small-hatchback class average. It feels a little lazy from a stop, but power grows steadily and quickly. Unlike the base engine, you never really feel the need to floor it. The Civic's continuously variable automatic transmission is well tuned and responsive when you need a burst of speed. The available manual transmission has an excellent clutch, making it easy to use and buttery to shift.

　　Around turns, the Civic is stable, sporty and entertaining to drive. The tires make a lot of squealing noise but otherwise maintain a surprising amount of grip on the road. Braking performance is strong too. Ultimately, this Civic is easy and effortless to drive, which is precisely what we'd want from an affordable sporty hatchback.

　　

Comfort

7.5/10

　　How comfortable is the Civic Hatchback? The Civic's suspension does a pretty good job of smoothing out bumps in the road. It doesn't ride as comfortably as some other small cars, but given the car's sporty handling, we think it's an acceptable trade-off. The front seats are supportive, and the leather upholstery breathes well to help keep you cool on hot days. But note that the seats lack adjustable lumbar support, which could be an issue for people with sensitive lower backs.

　　The climate control layout is a clear improvement over the previous generation's setup, with great vent coverage for the cabin. Road noise is noticeable at any speed and can be rather intrusive on coarse surfaces. Wind noise is thankfully more subdued, and the rest of the interior feels solidly constructed and free of vibration.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below