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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  Perfect Commuter Car - 2007 Honda Civic
  By Mark - January 18 - 5:40 pm

  I bought this as a 2nd car solely for commuting. I like it so much I now drive it as my main car. Although slightly underpowered, you never feel worried about your ability to enter freeways or pass. The auto is very quick to find the gear you need. I average 33-35 mpg in mixed driving. The turning circle is very good, which makes parking and maneuvering in the city a snap. Seats are very comfortable. Navigation is better than Jaguar & BMW. Very useful when detouring traffic jams or finding city addresses.

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  Fun and Smart! Who Knew? - 2005 Honda Civic
  By Sheryl - January 18 - 8:09 am

  This is absolutely the best overall car Ive ever owned (40- something... Ive had a few). Its fun, fast, economical, and rates fairly well for the environment for a non-hybrid. Im delighted with the performance and dependability, and find the design unique. As an event coordinator, I haul a lot of gear, and am continually amazed at how much we can fit in this bad boy! Its just the bomb!

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  Love, love, love this car! - 2007 Honda Civic
  By abby - January 18 - 1:03 am

  I replaced my 1999 Civic coupe with this car in May as a little college graduation gift to myself. The more I drive it, the more I love it. Everything about this Civic improved over the one I drove before. The most notable things are the vastly more supportive seats, the odd speedometer that I have come to appreciate and the butter-smooth clutch, which only my boyfriend has managed to stall (and he drives a truck with a stick). Its got more than adequate highway cruising and passing power (though I would have liked to have been able to afford an Si) and a smooth, though somewhat noisy, ride. It handles great in heavy rain. I have not had the pleasure of driving it in snow yet.

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  Great first car! - 1993 Honda Civic
  By Jessie - January 16 - 6:02 pm

  I bought my Civic in 2001 with 97,000 miles on it. Since then, Ive put 90,000 more miles on it in 7 years of driving. The Civic has been a very reliable car (only issue with it was the cooling system), as well as an extremely economical vehicle. Its lasted me through high school and college, and Im sad to see it go. I would recommend this car to anyone on a budget for a cheap reliable vehicle. It was a great car!

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  Best N/A car under 25K - 2008 Honda Civic
  By John - January 16 - 10:43 am

  This car handles great with LSD. Acceleration was nothing spectacular when not pushed but it was very smooth in the process. I really liked the futuristic spaceship design on the exterior and interior. It really does stand out from the crowd and yes, you do get stares when sitting in traffic as if theyre seeing a UFO. Ive also noticed that this car has huge blindspots all around. Exhaust note is nice during warmer days and sounds droning during colder days even with the car fully warmed up. Ergonomics are excellent as it is driver-oriented. Driving impressions of this car is that it is a race car without a race car price tag.

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  Cheap Interior Plastic - 2006 Honda Civic
  By sbs - January 14 - 6:53 pm

  Ive had my car five months and already the inside looks like its been 15. Ive never seen plastic that scratched and got marked up so easily. Just a fingernail or accidentally brushing the seat belt buckle across it, mars it. Take a look at the plastic in your cars. Also, my paint on the outside is scratching and chipping like nothing Ive ever experienced before. Buyer beware! I love my car and it really angers/saddens me, but am already looking to try and trade it out. The harder I try not to touch anything on the interior, the worse it gets. Plus, I shouldnt have to be driving on egg shells. What happened to Honda quality?

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  Tranny Woes - 2001 Honda Civic
  By DAWN - January 14 - 1:36 pm

  Buyer beware. I have a 01 Honda Civic with 54,000 miles. Bought it new. It is certainly not an an abused car with about 8,000 yr average miles, far less than the standard 12-15,000 a year. I have maintained my car, had an extended warranty for 3 more years. Isnt it funny how cars are built to collapse right after the warranty! My trany just blew and I have to spend $2,500 out of my own pocket. This happened to another friend of mine at about the same amount of mileage.

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  22,000 Mile update - 2002 Honda Civic
  By nycom92-1 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive put 22,000 miles since my last review. I Love this car. It has great pep, Im averaging 34 mil/gal. I just survived the winter with 4 Blizzaks (snow tires) without slipping once (even through 2-3 feet of snow). I agree that the insulation (noise) needs to be a little better, but otherwise, this is a great car.

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  My Canadian Honda Civic - 2003 Honda Civic
  By GBCOMP_DOT_COM - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I was not offered or even aware of driver side air bags. I already own a civic 2dr hatchback 96 and LOVE it for its reliability. I decided, why try and find a better car? The civic is the car!!!

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  .my 99 civic ex. - 1999 Honda Civic
  By civic boi of kweenz - January 14 - 12:13 am

  yes this civic is an exceLLent car aLL in aLL... however the one probLem i wouLd say is that this car has no fueL economy wat sOo ever... if i put it in D2 or D3... i wouLd aLways see myseLf going to the amoco station... i dont kno if its just my specific car... but i this is the one thing i do not like about " my " car...