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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  Nearly the Perfect Car - Beware of the Exterior Paint - 2007 Honda Civic
  By tommyboy23 - December 11 - 8:22 pm

  I bought my Fiji Blue Pearl Civic SI sedan brand new with 8 miles on it. After 5 years and 50,000 miles, Im still happy with my purchase, but I have had two major issues to deal with (see below). Both issues have been handled to my satisfaction by Honda, but I didnt expect either problem from a Honda product. Having said that, this is probably the most reliable sporty car on the market today. Im constantly asked "are you sure this car only has 4 cylinders?". Its probably the best sounding 4 cylinder on the market today. Honda also copied a lot of interior features from BMW, which makes it feel more upscale. A small mix of interior components, however, feel cheap and out of place.

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  loving this car - 2012 Honda Civic
  By 12civicowner - December 11 - 4:28 am

  I gave up my aging 2000 accord ex-v6 for the 12 civic and have no regrets. Originally my goal was to get a Honda fit which handled nicely and had good utility space but when I sat in a Civic, it was a whole different story. The drivers seat felt great(fits seat felt stiff) and my eyes were drawn to the dashboard. Immediately I was impressed. I test drove it twice at 2 different dealers and fell in love with it and knew i had to go home with it that day. The gas milage is excellent and when Im sitting in it I dont feel cramped at all. I will be enjoying this car for a very long time.

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  Good Value - 2010 Honda Civic
  By lizdriver123 - December 8 - 11:37 pm

  OK. so do I like my Civic, and it is a great car for the value (but there are a couple issues). Had it for a year, 16,000 miles, yet to have a break down or major repair. Tune up here and there, and thats it. Great for city and highway driving, great gas mileage. Pretty comfortable. I am short and small, but my dad who is 62" can fit in the drivers seat and passengers seat comfortably for long trips. The but: winter driving. Even with top notch snow tires (and yes, for the record I am a capable driver in the snow), I had one or two close calls and am now looking for an AWD vehicle. This car is not even slightly equipped for the snow.

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  2012 Honda Civic EX Best Buy! - 2012 Honda Civic
  By gruel - December 7 - 7:03 pm

  I just got a new Honda Civic EX from Bergstrom in Oshkosh, WI. They called me, suggested I come in and trade my 07 Honda Fit. I went in, and test drove the Civic. I really noticed a couple of things immediately..the dash reminded me of the wonderful Mercury Cougar I had in 1990, and the ride was very similar...Quiet! The dash features looked complicated, but the menu took me through it all, and was not any harder than programming my cell phone. Speaking of cell phone, the Blue Tooth hookup in the Civic not only worked first time, but every time I enter the car, it automatically hooks up. I tested it with my wife in the car, watching the dash, and it mated when I was 40 feet away. BUY IT

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  used 2006 - 2006 Honda Civic
  By june1986 - December 7 - 12:10 pm

  just bought this baby for 11k with 101k miles, looks new, runs great. 41 mpg so far avg(first week) im still learning how to drive more efficently and its fun! i was looking at the FT-86 but decided to wait and got this in the meantime. i thought i would be disappointed but once i saw it in the metal and sat inside that all changed. great for adventures and wallets(30$ to fill up and first tank i got 460miles).

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  Best car everrr! - 1995 Honda Civic
  By andreroman21 - December 6 - 8:13 pm

  Purchased the car from my brother 2 years ago. A few things were done to it including an engine swap from a japanese civic SiR-II(170HP) and cloth seats from a 2001 Integra, as well as 2001 Integra GS-R rims. It is amazing on gas averaging about 40mpg hwy and has alot of oomph when I need it. I use it to commute to my job about 26 miles a day. I use synthetic oil and change oil as suggested as well as spark plugs. I have had no problems with the car as of yet. I love the looks of the car. Very unique... Honda really should put out a new hatchback model. I wont be getting rid of this car for a long long time. Exterior is stock except for coilovers and fresh paintjob. I get alot of compliments

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  Going strong after 6 years - 2006 Honda Civic
  By viccard - November 28 - 3:14 pm

  Bought this car in Jan 2006, since then put 110K miles on. Had all the common problems described here: had rear bearings replaced by the dealership at 20-30K miles. My sun-visor is held by couple giant paper clips. Transmission would sometimes skip 3rd gear (happens once in a year, goes back to normal after restart). Most of the backlights under the heat/AC buttons are burned out. Battery died at 3 years. Power outlet and door lock had to be fixed. Seems like a long list but really its perfectly usable and all non-warranty covered repairs totalled to ~$300 over 6 years. There is no timing belt to change (it has timing chain). Rear brakes lasted 100K miles before needing replacement.

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  Even in 2011, still a great car. - 1998 Honda Civic
  By md1032 - November 23 - 9:56 pm

  At this point I am passing my 1998 Civic with 218k miles to my younger sibling since I bought a newer Japanese car. This car has been really good to us. We owned a 96 LX sedan, but that was totaled by a woman, so we bought a 97 LX sedan, which was also totaled by a woman some years later. That brings us to our current Civic, a 98 DX, Ive put about 80k on it. All are 5-speeds and I can tell you that all three have basically driven identically. If youre looking for a really cheap car that gets decent mileage, you can get one of these for next to nothing and you probably wont regret it at all. Its a great car, and very reliable (assuming you avoid the auto tranny...its a Honda).

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  LOVE my Civic Hybrid! - 2006 Honda Civic
  By dev87 - November 22 - 8:25 pm

  Bought this car in November 2009 after making a move to Arkansas. I purchased it with only 48,000 miles on it, plus I lucked out because it is fully loaded with Navi and AUX input for my iPod. Had to drive two hours to Tulsa to get it but it was well worth it the drive home was so much fun I didnt want to get out of the car when we finally made it back! Its been to Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, and I am always the one volunteering to drive because I love it so much. The turn signals on the mirrors are an awesome touch. Has been in the shop twice but only for recall fixes. Would absolutely buy again

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  My New Civic EX - 2012 Honda Civic
  By pantera1014 - November 22 - 12:43 am

  Just got it! Fresh out of the box with 12 miles on it. I am replacing the wifes 2000 Accord that she totaled last week. I am a Honda guy and a Michelin man. It is a beautiful car, and has everything we need except for XM, though we can stream it through BT audio from our Droids. Continental tires suck, but just put Michelin Primacys on it at 101 miles. Crazy expenditure?! Not for my wife! Result: Like night and day! I am all Honda and am pissed about CR reviews, but bucked the trend. This IS a Honda. The iMid is fun, stereo sounds decent, seats (cloth) are excellent. Paint is beautiful. Not fast, but trying to keep up with the Priuss, no batteries! Scrap Conti tires you will will enjoy!