2027 Honda CivicWilliam Walker - MotorTrendAvailable hybrid is sublimeConventional good looksRich-feeling interiorOthers offer more features for lessCould be quieterBase engine isn't quickOne of the best compacts around, the 2027 Honda Civic returns with a new trim level on gas models and a sporty Prelude-derived feature on hybrids. Offered as a sedan and four-door hatch, the Civic remains a good choice but is no longer an obvious one as it enters its sixth model year.Competition includes the Kia K4, which is better than you think, as well as the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra.Although the Civic Si is taking 2027 off, Honda continues to offer the sporty Civic Type R for the ultimate in hot hatch fun.What's NewA new Sport-L trim level makes its way to the 2027 Civic sedan and hatch lineup. Positioned as the top non-hybrid, the Sport-L adds leather seats (hence the "L" in its name). Also thrown in are power front seats that are heated, and dual-zone climate control. Previously, you needed to spend more on a hybrid to get these features.The Civic Sport Touring Hybrid also sees a feature addition this year, with the S+ Shift system from the Prelude. This tech simulates fake shifting if you want to feel a deeper connection to your car when the road turns twisty. S+ Shift can simulate rev-matched downshifts and gear holding, plus it punches up the engine sounds. In practice, we found this feature not as good as the similar feature in Hyundais. In the Honda, we found it a little disconcerting with the way the engine sounds went up and down, butOtherwise, the 2027 Honda Civic is the same as before, and we'll be watching to see if a new model arrives for 2028 or 2029..What We ThinkThe 2027 Honda Civic remains one of the best cars in its segment but what's changed in the compact's older age is that it's no longer our automatic first pick. What we've found is that the 2027 Civic's goodness varies widely based on the trim you choose.Let's start with the good. The available hybrid, which is offered on the top half of trims on the sedan and hatchback, is fantastic. The car drives with the refinement of cars costing much more, and it holds up whether you want a sporty ride or a practical commuter. It's good enough that we can forgive the hybrid for not matching the Toyota Prius on mpgs. The key here is that the Civic Hybrid's experience is top of class, mpgs are good enough, and the driving range is far better than the non-hybrid model.The non-hybrid 2027 Civics present a more mixed picture. You'll find these models on the LX, Sport, and Sport-L trims, and the car continues to be a good choice. It's just no longer a great one. We can no longer look beyond the slow acceleration or the interior noise.The other increasingly glaring issue with the 2027 Civic is its puny 7.0-inch touchscreen. Larger screens aren't always better in cars, but the 7.0-inch unit at the top of the dash for all but the top trim level is well behind the class leaders in terms of everyday usability. The screen also isn't tilted at all toward the driver for optimal visibility.We still like the way the Civic's interior feels usable and rich inside, with real metal trim and knobs that turn with a satisfying precision. But the safety rating is now good (not great like the Kia K4, Nissan Sentra, and Mazda 3), and the tech is behind the times. Increasingly, our recommendation is to try the Civic Hybrid if that model is within the budget.Top-Ranked CompetitorsKia K4Nissan SentraToyota Corolla