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:

• 

  Ok for first 120K - 2003 Honda Civic
  By hawkmud99 - June 7 - 3:27 pm

  Original owner with 130K on this car. Have never missed any preventable maintenance. Transmission need to be replaced at 80K(under extended warranty). Only replaced a calliper until 120K. Since then, Ive had to replace bushings, trans mounts, & O2 sensor.

• 

  First new Honda - 2011 Honda Civic
  By crusty3 - June 2 - 7:27 pm

  Past GM owner got tired of all the recalls and failures. Bought a Honda Civic as one of the most reliable vehicles out there. I have only had the car about a week, but I already love it. Handling is phenomenal, performance while not screamingly fast, is very good. Fuel economy in the first week has been good, 35 hwy, 30 round town. Comfort is good for such a small car. I took a 500 mile round trip starting the second day I had the car and was more comfortable than in any car I have owned. Great little car. Long term reviews to follow.

• 

  Not worth the premium - 2003 Honda Civic
  By kamikiaze - June 2 - 2:07 pm

  I bought my 2003 Honda Hybrid new. All told I think it was $35k. Paying a premium on the car because it was a hybrid, the tax deduction and the gas savings would make up for the extra cost right? Well, for the past year it has been sitting in our driveway with a busted transmission. $4500 to replace it. This is the latest in a long string of recalls/replacements on this car. Luckily, our other fixes have been covered by Honda but this fix is not. We look at the blue book value of this car, and seriously question if it is worth fixing especially when we read other reviews of cars that have gone through multiple transmissions and other fixes. For the price, I expected better.

• 

  Why didnt someone tell me these were so fun?? - 2000 Honda Civic
  By smooshies - May 31 - 11:17 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned, and I have owned about 10 different cars and trucks. This even beats the Toyota Truck that took me to Canada, Mexico, New York, Seattle, San Diego, Chicago, and everywhere in between. I bought this go cart from a super shady dealer, but even they couldnt make it not run. Best 5 grand I ever spent. Its comfy enough for my two year old, but zippy enough to scoot around town quickly and easily. And, you can park in the tiniest spots EVER. No complaints here. Just wish they were easier to find unmolested... No I do not want that terrible body kit and engine that you slapped together with your buddies!

• 

  Great Vehicle But Now Uses Some Oil - 2001 Honda Civic
  By davewdmia - May 30 - 11:23 am

  The only complaint I have now is that my vehicle now has 130K miles on it, and I have to add about 2 tenths of a quart of oil to it every 2 weeks or so. It never used to use any oil, and does not appear to be leaking any oil onto the driveway, so I am unsure where it is leaking, or if it is using oil. No apparent leakage from the valve cover gasket either. If a reader knows about oil leaks with this vehicle, please respond to my ad. Otherwise, this has been the most dependable vehicle I have owned, with little maintenance.

• 

  Battery fails, Honda wont replace - 2009 Honda Civic
  By socaldude2 - May 25 - 1:18 am

  Please do your research before considering this car. I was hoping to keep this car for >5 years and get excellent milage and help save the planet. What initially was a great hybrid has turned quickly into a disaster. After 1 year, the battery stopped holding a charge. after 15 months, the check engine light came on. Honda performed an irreversible software upgrade that bascially minimizes the cars use of the hybrid battery (basically making it a non-hybrid car). My MPG has dropped 10 MPG!! The hybrid battery is now basically non-functional and Honda will not fix it despite being under warranty. There are many many simiar complaints (look online). I will never buy Honda again.

• 

  Wouldnt touch this car! - 2009 Honda Civic
  By gardner3 - May 22 - 11:56 am

  After two weeks, the car was towed in with a failed speed sensor (feels like the transmission but I was told it wasn’t). Two weeks after that the car was towed in again with a failed speed sensor and Honda replaced that and put in a new transmission too. The day I picked it up with the new tranny, the engine light went on. I then drove back to the dealer they said, “Oh no, your IMA battery just needs a scheduled software upgrade.” Sothe engine light goes on for an upgrade, if you leave your gas cap loose, or any other major problem.

• 

  Status Report- 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid After 200K - 2003 Honda Civic
  By auburngbb - May 19 - 12:39 pm

  Total 2003 HCH Cost- HW Items purchased from 79k to 200k miles as follows: 2 sets of tires 1 speed sensor (drove thru deep puddle) 1 set of spark plugs 1 set of ft brake pads 1 fuel filter Fluid change maintenance from 79K to 200k miles as follows: * Several 0-20W/0-30W oil/filter changes (8k mile intervals) * Two CVT fluid changes noting I assumed to change oil every 100K miles until I noticed the transmission was slipping and read my OEM operators manual stating to change trans. oil every 30K. After changing the oil the first time THE TRANSMISSION QUIT SLIPPING and I make sure to change this fluid at recommended intervals. * One Antifreeze change Car runs good(mildly abused)

• 

  A buy to be proud of - 2006 Honda Civic
  By del21 - May 19 - 10:24 am

  I bought this car in April 2006 with 3 miles for my high school daughter when she was in the 10th grade. She is about to start her senior year in college. The car now has 49771 miles. I have never had to have it in the shop. I have only purchased new steel rims to replace bent ones that were her fault. It has been nice knowing that she is in a safe and reliable car 400 miles away from home in college. I would recommend this car for anyone. The trunk is roomy to carry all her things home after each semester. It is fun to drive and 5 years later she still gets compliments on it. Worth every dollar i spent on it and it is paid for.

• 

  Hinda Civic 2008-2010 Break pad WARNING - 2010 Honda Civic
  By carmichael1210 - May 18 - 12:05 pm

  My car has 16,000 miles and I am having the break pads replaced. Break pads should last atleast 30,000 miles. What Honda is failing to tell their customers is that they are in a lawsuite about this exact problem. In other words, they are aware of the problem, and have been aware but are not disclosing this problem to buyers. The break pads are not covered under warranty and honda is aware that their break pads have a 50% less lifespan than normal break pads. This is a safety hazard. And costly problem that Honda will not cover.