Expert Reviews

2024 Honda Civic Review and Video

7.9
10
AutoTrader SCORE
This score is awarded by our team of expert reviewers after extensive testing of the car
  • STYLING
    8.0/10
  • Safety
    7.5/10
  • PRACTICALITY
    8.0/10
  • USER-FRIENDLINESS
    9.0/10
  • FEATURES
    8.0/10
  • POWER
    8.0/10
  • COMFORT
    8.0/10
  • DRIVING FEEL
    8.0/10
  • FUEL ECONOMY
    8.0/10
  • VALUE
    6.0/10

The Honda Civic has been a staple on Canadian roads for 50 years.

Since Honda started building this model in Ontario in 1988, more than six million Canadian-built Civics have been sold here. Everyone knows the Civic, it’s easy to recommend, and it’s a damn good car. There’s just one glaring issue.

Styling: 8/10

The latest Civic has a more grown-up and streamlined look than the one that came before it. It slides under the radar simply because there are so many of them on the roads, but its design is attractive and understated, and it will surely age more gracefully than its predecessor.

Inside, the design is eye-catching and uses different textures and trims to make it look more upscale. There’s a lot of hard black plastic here, but it’s not typically used in high-touch areas, so it’s easier to forgive. The honeycomb air vents look cool but are difficult to keep clean.

Power: 8/10

The turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine in the top Civic Touring trim tested here will be discontinued for 2025, leaving the naturally-aspirated 2.0L from the rest of the lineup alongside a new hybrid.

The 1.5L outputs 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque and is mated to an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT). There’s plenty of passing power, and the drivetrain elements work together smoothly and predictably. The CVT is responsive and quiet enough, working silently and smoothly in the background until a strong burst of acceleration is called for, at which point it can sound quite gruff.

Driving Feel: 8/10

The Civic sets the benchmark for driving dynamics in this segment, not because it feels like a sports car, but because of its refinement and composure. The chassis is expertly tuned to balance comfort and performance, power delivery is smooth, and the steering is a bit light but totally fine, all adding up to give the Civic a planted and confident feel on the road.

Practicality: 8/10

The Civic’s trunk measures 408 L, and the 60/40 seats can fold down for even more space. The cabin also has a decent amount of small-item storage and places to keep valuables out of sight.

Comfort: 8/10

The seats are comfortable and supportive, and front-seat occupants get lots of space. However, the rear seats don’t offer much headroom, meaning tall passengers might have to slouch to fit.

User-Friendliness: 9/10

Nothing is a mystery inside the Honda Civic. The dashboard layout is logical and everything is exactly where you expect it to be. The touchscreen is easy to navigate, and the addition of home and back buttons make it even better. It also still uses physical buttons and knobs for much of the climate control functions, which is a bonus in today’s touchscreen-heavy market.

 

 

Features: 8/10

As the top trim, the Civic Touring comes loaded with all the expected features including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, an upgraded audio system, wireless phone charging, a digital instrument display, auto-dimming rear view mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, parking sensors, an integrated garage door opener, USB charging ports front and rear, a nine-inch touchscreen with navigation, and Wi-Fi tethering. Other notable features include an eight-way power driver’s seat, heated front and rear seats, a heated leather-wrapped steering wheel, and leather upholstery.

Safety: 7.5/10

All Civics come well stocked with advanced safety and driver-assistance features like traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, lane-keeping assist, and traffic jam assist, with the Touring trim adding blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and low-speed braking control.

The systems are a bit sensitive, however, with the collision avoidance system constantly warning of danger even when no actual risk is present, which limits its efficacy when there is a real risk. The reverse camera feed also looks kind of distorted and there are definitely better ones out there – including cars in this class that offer surround-view monitoring.

Fuel Economy: 8/10

The Honda Civic Touring is officially rated for 7.6 L/100 km in the city, 6.1 on the highway, and 6.9 combined. Over about 500 km of mixed driving, the indicated readout was right on target at 6.9 L/100 km. Honda is saying that the upcoming hybrid model will get in the high 4s for fuel economy – a notable improvement over this engine’s already excellent efficiency.

Value: 6/10

Finally to the one red flag that sticks out about the Honda Civic: its price. With the topline Touring trim starting at $34,500 plus the $1,830 destination fee, the Civic is thousands of dollars more expensive than a comparably equipped Hyundai Elantra. While the Civic feels more upscale and refined than something like a Toyota Corolla or a Nissan Sentra, it’s not that far off from an Elantra in terms of quality and features, so it’s hard to justify the price premium.

The Verdict 

The 2024 Honda Civic is an excellent, well-rounded car that checks a lot of boxes. It’s popular for many great reasons. If you want a mature compact car that drives well and is easy to live with, the Civic will be exactly what you’re looking for – just make sure you’re comfortable with the price tag.

Competitors
Specifications
Engine Displacement 1.5L
Engine Cylinders Turbo I4
Peak Horsepower 180 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Peak Torque 177 lb-ft @ 1,700-4,500 rpm
Fuel Economy 7.6 / 6.1 / 6.9 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb
Cargo Space 408 L
Model Tested 2024 Honda Civic Touring
Base Price $34,500
A/C Tax $100
Destination Fee $1,830
Price as Tested $36,730