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:

• 

  Hard To Kill - 1991 Honda Civic
  By Hunter Cressall - July 26 - 12:48 pm

  What can you say about a car with 215 thousand miles on the odometer with working AC and a lot of pep? Its a GOOD car. I drive a well maintained 2002 Celica GTS. Every now and then (*cough* truck tire debris *cough*) the Celica needs to visit the body shop for a little work. Out comes my venerable but exceedingly reliable 1991 Civic Si Hatchback to get me through. This little car has driven desert off road in Lancaster, Highway 10 from Georgia to Los Angels, hauled props, lumber and up to six people at a time. And it still gets around 30 mpg. I was told the transmission was going bad - thats why I bought the Celica. That was about 60 thousand miles ago. Now its my life boat. Great car.

• 

  Honda Fan - 2002 Honda Civic
  By Asa in Atlanta - July 26 - 9:40 am

  We bought our 2002 Civic EX in Sept 2005 to replace my 1990 Civic EX that had been wrecked. The 2002 Civic had 85,800 original miles and now has 148,200 miles. I drive an average of 1800. This car has been excellent mechanically with no major problems. Gas mileage has been fabulous for an automatic: generally 33-34 in mixed driving. I averaged 36.5 on a 2500 mile trip in 2007 driving 65-70 mph. Only con is noise. I recommend putting premium tires on the Civic. My performance and handling greatly improved the noise diminished as well.

• 

  Most Overrated Car on the road! Really. - 2001 Honda Civic
  By godawgs2008 - July 25 - 6:50 pm

  Bought this car brand new for my daughters 16th birthday. Why, because I wanted the very best reliability for the money. It was a slam dunk according to "everyone". "What a long, strange trip its been"... Reliability issues, one after another. Failed auto Door locks. Failed power windows. Failed front and rear struts. Failed transmissions (if this has not happened to you yet, be patient it will. It is a manufacturing defect. Leaky/noisy sun roof Could have bought a Cavalier for this.

• 

  Exceeds Expectations - 2008 Honda Civic
  By Brian F - July 24 - 11:33 pm

  I traded in my 4wd SUV for a 2008 Civic EX w/nav for the purposes of reducing my monthly payment and cutting my fuel consumption. Mission accomplished. I figure to save around $400 a month (about $150 on payment and $250 on gas). I fully expected to sacrifice power, comfort, and cargo space. While I did lose a little power, the Civic is surprisingly and deceptively roomy on the interior. And the large trunk and fold-down rear seats allow for more than adequate cargo capacity. Adequate power, plenty of room (even for me at 6 tall and 220 lbs), and an interior (with voice activated navigation and digital gages) that gives off a "luxury car" feel leaves me with no regrets whatsoever.

• 

  Long lasting - 1993 Honda Civic
  By MG - July 24 - 7:09 pm

  My civic was bought it Texas.The original owner took it to Toronto, then moved to Montreal, I bought it in 2005 for $2200 I drove from Montreal to Banff with a cost of $310 in gas, ACROSS THE COUNTRY. Since Ive had it I put about $1100in repairs and maintenance, brake cylinder, radiator, thermo, bushings. Nothing major.

• 

  Civic sets the bar - 2005 Honda Civic
  By crossfive - July 24 - 8:57 am

  This is a our commuter car (110,000) 108 miles a day, mostly highway @ 70mph. We get 35 to 38 mpg. We were pretty smart in 05 to get it then. Im 61 and find it ok for the hour drive. My 16 year old twins hate the back seat but that is what the mini-van is for. Ok for quick hops. We have the autotrans (my wifes choice) and that takes some getting used to when braking. It automatically down shifts and feels like an additional brake. Before this Civic we had an 02 lx and it did the same thing. A feature? The 02 was never the same after the deer strike so we traded it in. All in all, great vehicle and we are looking at the 08 Civic lx - and the boys cant wait to get the 05

• 

  Windshield doesnt clear snow well - 2006 Honda Civic
  By sd - July 23 - 9:30 pm

  Bought the car new. Overall, very happy with it, however in snowy conditions the snow doesnt clear well because its recessed about 1" for some reason and the wipers wipe to the outside edges of the windshield. Have also suffered rock chips in the paint in unusual places (i.e., near the gas door, on the edge of the door near the left rear window, on the roof) places that cant be blamed on other peoples doors in the parking lot. Honda dealer says "oh well, too bad". Initially wanted the Si, but was commuting then, and needed economy, the 140 hp in the EX is very impressive, and I have no complaints about it.

• 

  Reliability - 2001 Honda Civic
  By mdgrrrl - July 23 - 10:00 am

  When it was time to retire my 1990 Accord, I knew I was going to buy another Honda because of their reliability. Unfortunately, the new Accords were out of my price range, but I fell in love with the redesigned Civic. It doesnt have the pick up of the Accord and it feels less substantial on the road but I was looking for a car that would be on the road 99.99% of the time, get good gas mileage, and protect me in an accident, not a zippy car that was "fun" to drive. I definitely got exactly what I was looking for and I have never regretted the decision to buy.

• 

  Love my Civic Hybrid - 2004 Honda Civic
  By ElectroTom - July 23 - 10:00 am

  I have the 2003 version which is the same as the 2004. I love the car. I have driven it almost 40,000 and no problems. Bought it as a second car (my first is a gas guzzling Ford Explorer) and it saves me thousands each year in gas and maintenance. You cant go wrong with this car. Only one minor warrenty repair the whole time I owned it.

• 

  10 - 2004 Honda Civic
  By mohan - July 23 - 10:00 am

  this is the best ever