Overview & Reviews

Since its launch in 1973, the Honda Civic has been one of the most popular compact cars sold in America. Its success can be attributed in large part to its consistently high level of quality inside and out and its long-standing reputation for reliability and low running costs. Impressive fuel economy and engaging performance have also played a role in making the Civic a top choice for many Americans.

The competition has largely caught up with Honda, though, and there are now many excellent small cars vying for your attention. Still, we continue to recommend the Civic due to its ergonomic interior layout, wide range of models and high resale value. For small-car shoppers in search of a solid used vehicle, the Honda Civic is certainly a smart choice, as its long production run and many variants make it easy to find what you want.

User Reviews:

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  Kudos to Honda! - 2008 Honda Civic
  By dhectorg - September 30 - 12:56 pm

  This si sedan is almost everything I hoped it would be. Its dangerously fun to drive (got pulled over day after I picked it up...be careful!). It handles better than some cars way out of its price range. rRdes a bit stiff, but thats expected from a performance suspension. I love the exhaust note at pretty much any engine speed. It sounds menacing. But the best part about driving this car is the instant thrust and hieghtened exhaust note that you feel and hear at 6000+rpm. Its like somebody let a mad dog out. Pure adrenaline!

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  Baby has been WONDERFUL! - 2003 Honda Civic
  By LadyD - September 30 - 12:40 pm

  I bought her brand new on the last day of February. She has been great to me ever since. We did have an issue with her being an overachiever when they had to do the computer recall (accepted 115% programming when she was to only accept 100% and blew the computer). I have taken her to the dealer religiously for all of her scheduled maintenance and had until recently a set of Arizonian tires on her which helped me get better gas mileage yet caused the tires to wear quicker (what do you want in AZ?) I now have a set of Michelin tires which has caused her to have a bit of decreased gas efficiency. I have been averaging anywhere from 28 to 52 mpg. Never giving her up!

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  Happiest car purchase ever!!! - 2004 Honda Civic
  By EPluva - September 30 - 10:00 am

  After a few months of shoping and 15 or so test drives I thought I would drive my teenage love the Civic SI. I barely got myself out of the dealer without taking it home. I wasnt in need of the car for another two months. So the research began, how well recieved was this impresive little car. Well the day finaly came Im not easy to make happy and every time I get the chance I want to drive it. I cant imagine what else I could want from it

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  Honda Civic Hybrid - 2003 Honda Civic
  By Richard - September 30 - 12:33 am

  Exceeded my expectations in every respect. Overall mileage about 50. Easy to get 55 MPG on highway commute at 62-65 MPH. Better ride and acceleration than Insight, but Insight has "head turning styling" and better MPG. As reliable as any Honda or Toyota. I like Hondas use of the Hybrid Technology better than Toyotas.

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  The Little Civic that Could - 2000 Honda Civic
  By Derek M - September 29 - 11:04 am

  I got this car after my 16th birthday. Its a manual because all of our cars are manual. I told my parents that I really wanted to get a civic or an accord and they agreed. Ive put maybe 3,000 miles on it so far. The only thing that I had to replace was the clutch assembly because the previous owner burned it up. I love this car. The next car I get will definitely be a new civic. My family has bought new accords every 4 years since 1998. Its amazing how good these cars are! It has no blind spots and its easy to zip around people. I wouldnt trade it for anything. I dont use A/C so its not really a problem for me.

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  Should have bought a Mazda3 5 door. - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Douglas Parent - September 29 - 2:00 am

  One year into ownership, purchased it new. Ive owned 3 previous Hondas and 1 Acura so I thought it would be a no brainer. The ride is pretty rough, the steering and handling is excellent. The seats really are not bad at all, a 2 hour trip to LA and back is not difficult for a compact. My mileage is around 325 per tank. I drive it kinda hard, my last car was a VR6 GTI and I MISS THAT CAR for the overall driving experience. I have 16K on this one. Drivers side visor just broke and I hardly use it. Automatic transmission was not a good choice for this size engine, not smooth and robs power. Im a stick guy anyway, oh well. Time to sell this and get another hatchback, there are lots of choices.

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  The car is great! Bridgestone tires awfu - 2006 Honda Civic
  By Frank - September 28 - 5:23 pm

  I like everything about the Civic EX. The Bridgestone tires Honda put on it are pretty bad though! The dealer said Honda got a big discount on Bridgestone tires and switched from Michlein. I took the Bridgestone tires off and replaced them with Michlein Sport tires that Honda puts on the Civic SI. It now tracks and holds the road MUCH better. Dont expect much from the Bridgestone tires on water or Snow....you will be in deep trouble. This was my 20th Honda/Acura product!!

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  I love this car - 1999 Honda Civic
  By jms - September 27 - 10:10 pm

  I purchased this car from my grandma after she had it for 4 years. I have spent a bit on it replacing the exhaust system (from sitting in a parking lot for 4 years and not being driven when my grandma owned it), but it has been reliable for me the entire time I have had it. I have had to put virtually no money in this car and it always seems to run perfectly!

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  Best Hybrid 2007 Honda Civic - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Jerry Coleman - September 27 - 9:56 pm

  Best gas milage car I have ever owned.Took it on a long trip.Got 45 miles per gallon Highway driving.Same good milage in city.Handlig was great. Turning radius very short.Has so many little features that are great

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  Only nice at high speeds. - 1998 Honda Civic
  By K Reeves - September 27 - 10:00 am

  My 98 honda civic was the first new car I purchased. I have not been as satisfied I would have liked. The headliner (around the sunroof) started to squeak around 12,000 and needed 3 visits to the dealership before being fixed. The car has not started on two or three ocassions, according to the dealer the engine was flooded.Also now it is only 4 years old, has been very well maintaned and barely passes smog this year.