Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Honda Civic review: a frugal, fun family hatch hybrid

The hybrid-powered Honda Civic is a frugal, well-equipped family hatchback that really impresses

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Price
£35,005 - £50,650
  • Efficient hybrid powertrain
  • Good to drive
  • Improved interior quality
  • Firm low-speed ride
  • Road noise
  • Infotainment system a little dated
Find your Honda Civic
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

What’s the best affordable hybrid? It’s the excellent Honda Civic, of course. Why? Well, it offers a highly efficient petrol and electric hybrid system that’ll appeal to those looking for lower running costs, and it’s still good to drive. Plus, it has an impressive amount of standard equipment along with lots of safety technology.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Civic’s sleek hatchback lines offer some respite from the slew of SUVs and crossover-styled family cars that populate the UK car market. Sure, its sloping roofline won’t quite match the versatility of some of the boxier, more upright SUVs out there, but it’s practical enough for most needs. All things considered, the 11th generation is a worthy contender in its class.

About the Honda Civic

​It’s 1972. Russia has landed its uncrewed Luna 20 spaceship on the moon, rock ‘n’ roll band T.Rex is riding high in the music charts, and Ford has just launched its new Granada executive car. Slipping under the radar, with a little less fanfare, was the introduction of Honda’s first-generation Civic – first as a two-door saloon, followed by the now more familiar hatchback model.

Fast forward more than fifty years and eleven model generations, and it’s fair to say that the Honda Civic has become a motoring mainstay in not just the UK, but around the world.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

However, with families increasingly turning to SUVs and crossover-style cars to meet their everyday driving needs, the humble hatchback faces more competition than ever. Honda now only offers the Civic as a sensibly-styled five-door hatch to challenge rivals such as the great-handling Ford Focus, uber-practical Skoda Octavia, ever dependable (and equally hybrid) Toyota Corolla, plus the iconic Volkswagen Golf.

Other hatchback options for buyers include the great value Kia Ceed and Hyundai i30, the stylish-looking Mazda 3 and Peugeot 308, and the impressive SEAT Leon and Vauxhall Astra all being strong options. Those after a more premium model may wish to consider the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, and Mercedes A-Class.

The Civic is powered by Honda's e:HEV hybrid technology with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet, plus two electric motors to power the front wheels. The set-up produces a stout 181bhp and 315Nm of torque. For hot hatch fans, the stonking 325bhp Civic Type R is a high-performance weapon, having broken the front-wheel drive lap records at the Nurburgring race track in Germany and Japan's Suzuka race track.

Higher demand than expected for the Civic has led to short periods when certain trim levels weren’t available to order, but the range is back up to three now: Elegance, Sport and Advance. Entry-level cars are well-equipped, as you'd expect when prices start at nearly £35,000. Every Civic comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, keyless entry, a nine-inch touchscreen, reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control. Top-of-the-range Advance has a fully digital driver's display, heated leather steering wheel and panoramic glass roof.

For an alternative guide to the Honda Civic, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...

Frequently Asked Questions
The 11th-generation Honda Civic is good to drive, efficient, and features a much better interior than the model it replaced. It looks great, too, and comes with a generous amount of standard kit. It’s not cheap, but it covers so many bases we think it’s among the best family cars around.
Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    2.0 eHEV Elegance 5dr CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £35,005

Most Economical

  • Name
    2.0 eHEV Sport 5dr CVT
  • Gearbox type
    Auto
  • RRP
    £36,505

Fastest

  • Name
    2.0 VTEC Turbo Type R 5dr
  • Gearbox type
    Manual
  • RRP
    £50,650
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Civic

Best fun cars: The most entertaining picks from £3,000 to brand new
Best fun cars - header image

Best fun cars: The most entertaining picks from £3,000 to brand new

These fun cars can put a smile on your face, as well as get you from A to B
Best cars & vans
31 Oct 2024
Best used automatic cars
Best used automatic cars - header image

Best used automatic cars

Give your left leg a rest with one of these nine great used cars with easy-going automatic gearboxes
Best cars & vans
3 Oct 2024
Best track day cars 2024
Best track day cars - header image

Best track day cars 2024

Whether you're looking to shave tenths off your lap time or simply want to have fun, these are the UK's best track day cars
Best cars & vans
1 Oct 2024
Honda Civic Type R review
Honda Civic Type R - front tracking

Honda Civic Type R review

The Honda Civic Type R is one of the greatest hot hatchbacks of the modern era, but its eye-watering price tag is hard to ignore
In-depth reviews
24 Sep 2024
Best hybrid cars on sale 2024
Best hybrid cars - header image

Best hybrid cars on sale 2024

With more hybrid cars on the market than ever before, these are the best ones to buy
Best cars & vans
24 Sep 2024
Best performance cars to buy 2024
Best performance cars - header image

Best performance cars to buy 2024

Performance cars have reached new heights of speed and interaction - here’s a list of our ten favourites from the current crop
Best cars & vans
12 Sep 2024
Best handling cars
Best handling cars - header image

Best handling cars

Pure cornering bliss! Here are the best handling cars that money can buy
Best cars & vans
23 Aug 2024
Top 10 best hot hatchbacks to buy 2024
Best hot hatchbacks - header image

Top 10 best hot hatchbacks to buy 2024

The very best hot hatchbacks offer giant-killing performance and an engaging drive, all wrapped up in a family-friendly package
Best cars & vans
23 Jul 2024
Best family cars to buy 2024
Best family cars - header image

Best family cars to buy 2024

What are the best family cars on sale? Whether you're after an SUV or an affordable hatchback, our top 10 list reveals all…
Best cars & vans
10 Jul 2024
Hot Hatch of the Year 2024: Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R - Hot Hatch of the Year 2024

Hot Hatch of the Year 2024: Honda Civic Type R

The Honda Civic Type R is the 2024 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year, with the Ford Focus ST Track Pack and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S commended
Awards
3 Jul 2024
Top 10 best hatchbacks to buy 2024
Best hatchbacks - header image

Top 10 best hatchbacks to buy 2024

We’ve selected our top ten best family hatchbacks so you don’t have to
Best cars & vans
14 Jun 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement
Best cheap hot hatchbacks
Best cheap hot hatches - four way header image

Best cheap hot hatchbacks

Need an affordable car which delivers on both power and practicality? These cheap hot hatches fit the bill
Best cars & vans
2 Apr 2024
Best new car deals 2024
Best new car deals - header image

Best new car deals 2024

Thinking of buying a new car? These are some of the best new car deals on the market right now…
Best cars & vans
26 Jan 2024
Car Deal of the Day: new Honda Civic with a whopping £4,000 discount
Honda Civic - front static

Car Deal of the Day: new Honda Civic with a whopping £4,000 discount

The latest Honda Civic has never looked so affordable at £279 per month - making it our Car Deal of the Day for 19 January
News
19 Jan 2024
Best used hot hatchbacks 2024
Best used hot hatchbacks - header image

Best used hot hatchbacks 2024

Our picks for the best used hot hatchbacks in the UK
Best cars & vans
12 Jan 2024
Honda Civic Type R gets more extreme with Mugen makeover
 Mugen Honda Civic Type R Group B

Honda Civic Type R gets more extreme with Mugen makeover

The tuning company from Japan has a rich history of tweaking Honda Civic Type Rs and is at it again
News
8 Jan 2024
Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Honda Civic Type R: 2023 twin test review
Mercedes-AMG A45 S and Honda Civic Type R - front tracking

Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Honda Civic Type R: 2023 twin test review

A refresh has upped the ante for Mercedes-AMG’s A 45 S. How does it shape up against our reigning Hot Hatch of the Year, the Honda Civic Type R?
Car group tests
26 Aug 2023
Hot Hatch of the Year 2023: Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R - Hot Hatch of the Year 2023

Hot Hatch of the Year 2023: Honda Civic Type R

The Honda Civic Type R is the 2023 Auto Express Hot Hatch of the Year, with the Hyundai i20 N and Mercedes-AMG A 45 S commended
Awards
5 Jul 2023
Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2023: Honda Civic
Honda Civic - Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2023

Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year 2023: Honda Civic

The Honda Civic is the 2023 Auto Express Affordable Hybrid Car of the Year, with the Dacia Jogger Hybrid and Toyota Yaris commended
Awards
5 Jul 2023
Honda Civic Sport: long-term test review
Tristan Shale-Hester standing next to the Honda Civic Sport

Honda Civic Sport: long-term test review

Final report: our Civic has impressed, but we wonder about its position in the market
Long-term tests
2 May 2023
Toyota Corolla vs Honda Civic vs Kia Ceed: 2023 group test review
Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Kia Ceed - front tracking

Toyota Corolla vs Honda Civic vs Kia Ceed: 2023 group test review

The updated Toyota Corolla takes on the Honda Civic and Kia Ceed in a three-way hatchback clash
Car group tests
22 Apr 2023
Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years: 2023 twin test review
Honda Civic Type R and Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years - front tracking

Honda Civic Type R vs Volkswagen Golf R 20 Years: 2023 twin test review

New Honda Civic Type R locks horns with most powerful VW Golf R ever for bragging rights
Car group tests
18 Mar 2023
Best cars for £1,000 or less
Best cars for £1,000 or less - header image

Best cars for £1,000 or less

A low budget doesn’t have to mean low-quality. We’ve picked out some terrific cars for under £1k
Best cars & vans
28 Feb 2023