Our Opinion - 2023 Honda Civic Review For many years, the Honda Civic has been a good choice for people on a tight budget because it is a small, stylish car. The most recent version, which includes the model for 2023, builds on this legacy by adding nice interior trim and several features that used to be considered extras. There are sedan and hatchback body styles, four-cylinder engines, and either a continuously variable automatic (CVT) transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. All models come with a touchscreen infotainment system and many driver-assistance features, but many also have other nice extras. Even compared to other cars with similar reputations, like the Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, and Toyota Corolla, the Civic is the clear choice because of its price, fuel efficiency, comfort, and smooth driving. Simply put, it’s a great choice because it’s a great car that doesn’t cost too much. What's New? Honda didn’t change anything about the compact sedan or hatchback for 2023, except that it took the LX trim level away because the Civic was redesigned for 2022. This year’s lineup includes the high-performance Civic Type R hatchback, which we look at on its own. Pros and Cons Pros: High fuel economy Ride and handling were balanced Interior design that looks good and feels good Many similarities Cons: Not enough base engine Engine, Transmission, and Performance Honda chose to keep the powertrain options from the last generation of the Civic, even though the new model was completely redesigned. The 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the new model still makes 180 horsepower, which is more than the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in the old model, which produced 158 horsepower. The only way to get the new Civic is with front-wheel drive. The only transmission option for the old Civic after 2022 will be continuous variable transmission (CVT). But the hatchback still has a manual transmission with six speeds. Our turbocharged Touring sedan went from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, a little bit slower than the Civic from the previous generation. We tested a manual Sport Touring hatchback, which took 7.3 seconds to reach 60 mph. Luckily, this model keeps the last one’s responsive handling, easy steering, and well-balanced ride. The sporty Si and sporty, high-performance Type-R models are looked at separately. Safety There will be a lot of driver-assist features that come as standard, like adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping help and automatic emergency braking that can tell when a person is in the way. The following are some of the most important aspects of the safety system: Standards for emergency brakes that work on their own There is also lane-keeping help and the usual lane-departure warning. Conventional adaptive cruise control Internal and External Cargo Capacity The interior has a clean look with straight lines and a dashboard with a honeycomb-patterned mesh piece that cleverly covers the air vents. The new model’s center console has a large, deep bin in front of the shift lever where you can put your phone, keys, and snacks for a road trip. Honda says the space for people is about the same, but the margin for cargo is more significant. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The EPA says that the new Civic EX, which is in the middle of the range, gets 33 mpg in the city, 42 mpg on the highway, and 36 mpg overall. The 2022 Civic Sport hatchback got 36 miles per gallon on the road at 75 miles per hour. Infotainment and Connectivity A 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display is standard on the Civic. A more significant 9.0-inch gadget and a 10.2-inch digital gauge display are available options. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and when used with the bigger screen, they let you connect wirelessly. There is also in-dash navigation, Bose audio, and a place to charge your phone wirelessly. Price and How to Choose We recommend the well-equipped EX trim for the sedan, which has many extra features that more than make up for the higher price. Some parts are heated outside mirrors, heated front seats, a power sunroof, automatic climate control for two zones, and blind-spot monitoring. It also comes with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 180 hp. If you decide to buy a hatchback, we suggest the EX-L because it has more leather upholstery and the same equipment as the EX.
