Honda Civic

Honda Civic (2017 – present) | Expert Rating [hide]

Summary

The Honda Civic is a medium-sized family car, available as either a five-door hatchback or a saloon. The current model is the tenth generation of Civic and went on sale in the UK in early 2017.

The hatchback models were built in the UK at Honda’s Swindon plant up until summer 2021, but this factory has now closed with future vehicles being imported from Japan. The saloon, which was never built in the UK, only makes up a small percentage of Civic sales.

The Honda Civic is available with either petrol or diesel engines, and there is also a high-performance version called the Civic Type R. We have a separate page for this model here.

The Civic has received consistently good reviews from the UK motoring media. it has received particular praise for its practicality and generous levels of standard equipment. It isn’t rated quite as highly as the leading vehicles in its class, but it is still considered a very good car.

Reliability hasn’t been a strong point of the current Civic range. In the 2021 What Car? reliability survey, the Civic ranked 22nd out of 24 cars (only better than the Vauxhall Astra and Mercedes-Benz A-Class). The previous year’s results were almost as bad, when it raked 21st out of 24.

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-size hatch and saloonEngines: petrol, diesel
Price: From £19,405 on-road

Launched: Spring 2017Last updated: Spring 2020
Replacement due: Summ 2022

Image gallery

Honda Civic saloon

Honda Civic saloon

Honda Civic hatch

Honda Civic hatch

Media reviews

Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual saloonScore: 7.5 / 10“The Honda Civic 4 Door takes all the good elements of the sister hatchback, plus some of the more average bits, and adds some quirky bits of its own.”
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Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)Score: 7.8 / 10“The Honda Civic benefits from the brand’s bid to make its car a more mainstream contender and is now a purchase far easier to justify.”
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Auto Express

Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The tenth-generation Honda Civic is a great alternative choice in the hatchback class.”
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Model reviewed: Sport LineScore: 7 / 10“It remains practical, fun to drive and well built, but the changes Honda has made to the ageing infotainment system are insufficient in such a tech-focused class.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual EX saloonScore: 8 / 10“The new Honda Civic saloon adds another string to the family car’s bow. It commands a premium, but such a small difference will pale into insignificance on a monthly finance deal. In diesel form, it’s capable of impressive real-world economy, too, without sacrificing fun or refinement.”
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Auto Trader

Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 7 / 10“Under the wild styling the Honda Civic is as sensible, comfortable and practical as it’s always been and a real contender in the family hatchback class, which is no small boast given the quality of the opposition.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 7.4 / 10“The Honda Civic Saloon is a very good car in a number of areas, but its appeal is likely to remain very limited. It’s such a good all-rounder, though, that if you happen to be one of the few people it appeals to, then it’ll probably serve your needs extremely well.”
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Autocar

Model reviewed: EX Sport LineScore: 8 / 10“Essentially, it’s the sort of sensibly shaped family car you might buy if you want something that looks vaguely like a hardcore hot hatchback but don’t need the associated hardcore ride or performance.”
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Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)Score: 8 / 10“The new Honda Civic is plainly a practical, generally refined, quietly upmarket, creditably economical and well-equipped car – and on all of those respects, it’s decent value, although pricey.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual SR saloonScore: 8 / 10“It takes what was already one of our favourite hatchbacks and merely tweaks the formula. As such, if you’ve already decided on a Honda Civic, which to opt for will largely depend on which you prefer the look of.”
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Car

Model reviewed: Range reviewScore: 8 / 10“The facelift’s definitely a bit half-baked, but the Civic was a good car before it and it’s still a good car after.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual saloonScore: 8 / 10“The world won’t be knocked backed to its senses by the arrival of the Civic saloon. But what it does mean is that there’s a worthwhile extra choice to consider, combining the practical bonus of a big boot and the less measurable advantages of a no-nonsense car that’s all about getting the job done and not worrying about fleeting fashions.”
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Car Keys

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol manual EX Sport LineScore: 8 / 10“The changes on this updated Honda Civic might be small, but they certainly keep this model in contention in this popular market. The driving experience is one of the best in this segment, while the huge boot and lengthy standard safety kit levels add to the appeal.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual hatchbackScore: 8 / 10“The diesel Honda Civic is a car you buy with your head. It’s not quite as enjoyable to drive as the petrol units, and a 1.6-litre diesel engine is never going to spark emotions, but for those wanting an impressively efficient hatchback, without sacrificing on style, it makes for an excellent choice.”
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Carbuyer

Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8.2 / 10“The latest Honda Civic is a real departure, with unique styling in the family hatchback class and lots of desirable talents.”
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Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 7.4 / 10“The Honda Civic saloon shares many of the hatchback’s talents, but there’s little reason to spend extra for it unless you love its looks.”
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Carwow

Model reviewed: Saloon range“At a time when crossovers are seemingly everywhere, the Civic Saloon aims to win you over with low running costs and a spacious interior. However, it’s not exactly a bargain.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 7 / 10“The Honda Civic is impressively comfortable and is one of the most practical family cars around, although alternatives have more rear headroom.”
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Company Car Today

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol hatchback EX Sportline“EX Sport Line is a pricey but worthwhile addition at the top of the Honda Civic range, and minor tweaks enhance an already excellent and CCT100 award-winning hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual saloon SR“You’ll need a real preference for saloons to take the Honda Civic four-door over the excellent, better looking and more cost-effective hatchback.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre petrol hatchback SRScore: 8.3 / 10“The Honda Civic is a huge leap forward from its predecessor, and has a whole suite of strengths to make it a great company car.”
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Daily Mirror

Model reviewed: Range overview“The Honda Civic is not just a serious contender for those considering a Ford Focus, SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Vauxhall Astra – but also maybe pushing for those considering a VW Golf or Audi A3.”
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Evo

Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)Score: 6 / 10“It’s clear the Type R has had a positive effect on the standard Civic’s handling, but a mini Type R this is not.”
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Green Car Guide

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual hatchback EXScore: 7 / 10“One of the strong points of the Honda Civic, in diesel form, is the potentially impressive real-world economy, especially if you do high motorway mileages. It’s also got a decent chassis, and it’s worth noting that it’s likely to be reliable.”
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Heycar

Model reviewed: Saloon rangeScore: 6 / 10“The Honda Civic Saloon is, as you’d expect, based on the hatchback but gets a saloon-style boot that’s more spacious but not as practical. Perhaps its biggest selling point is its sleeker looks and the fact that in the UK – where few people buy small mainstream saloons – it’s a rare sight.”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“You have to feel a bit sorry for Honda. The firm comes up with a car that looks as unconventional, as outlandish and as in-your-face as the latest Civic. And yet still, it can’t shake its image as the car brand for those with a blue rinse and a pension book. It’s a shame, too, because getting around in one of these is far more pleasurable than using your bus pass.”
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Honest John

Model reviewed: 1.0 EX Sport Line“The 2020 Civic is marginally improved, but that’s mostly because the pre-facelift car was so competent in many areas.”
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Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)Score: 8 / 10“There is no shortage of good family cars on the market, covering everything from hatchbacks to people carriers and crossovers. The Honda Civic is up there with the best of them and is a car that’s easy to recommend. Put simply, it’s very, very good.”
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Model reviewed: 1.5-litre VTEC petrol automatic Prestige hatchback“While the smaller, more characterful three-cylinder 1.0-litre engine is at its best with the manual six-speed, the CVT (automatic) is the transmission of choice for the 1.5T.”
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Model reviewed: 1.0-litre VTEC petrol manual hatchback“Refined on the move, high quality inside yet enjoyable to drive, the new Honda Civic has managed to recapture the sparkle it lost. And the new 1.0-litre VTEC turbo engine is a real gem, suiting the Civic perfectly. The competition is tough, but the new Civic is up there with the best.”
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Motors.co.uk

Score: 7 / 10“Very good residuals for the segment, traditionally strong levels of reliability, classic models are starting to become sought-after.”
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Parkers

Model reviewed: saloon rangeScore: 7.6 / 10“Four-door Honda Civic retains much of its hatchback sibling’s ability”
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Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 9.2 / 10“Honda Civic raises its game, but loses some of the old car’s character.”
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The Sunday Times

Model reviewed: 1.0-litre i-VTEC manual SR hatchbackScore: 8 / 10“Honda has put huge amounts of effort into making the 2017 Honda Civic better to drive, more roomy, more fuel efficient and less polluting. Its engineers should be proud of ticking so many boxes.”
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The Telegraph

Model reviewed: 1.6-litre diesel manual SR saloonScore: 8 / 10“If you fancy a svelte saloon as a company car, this one should be on your list. It’s astonishingly frugal, and while its CO2 emissions aren’t significantly better than those of its premium rivals, a lower P11D value means you should still up paying less tax each month.”
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Model reviewed: 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel manual EX hatchbackScore: 8 / 10“While it’s not about to convert anybody who didn’t want a diesel before, this new engine still represents a worthwhile addition to the Civic range, being good to drive and cheap to run for those who cover a lot of miles. If you’re in the market for a diesel family hatchback it should definitely be on your shortlist.”
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Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)Score: 8 / 10“Honda has breathed new life into the Civic with this latest model, which now not only offers a big boot, but is also comfortable and fun to drive. It’s not quite as good an all-rounder as a Volkswagen Golf, nor as roomy as a Skoda Octavia, but for something that occupies a solid middle ground between the two it represents an excellent choice.”
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Top Gear

Model reviewed: Hatchback rangeScore: 8 / 10“The Honda Civic brings some welcome colour to a sensible part of the market. Not perfect, but very interesting.”
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What Car?

Model reviewed: (hatchback range review)Score: 8 / 10“The Civic is good to drive, has a big boot and comes with lots of standard kit. It can’t match the Volkswagen Golf in terms of performance, handling or refinement, but the Civic offers a generously sized boot, good selection of technology and competitive servicing packages. It’s a shame the infotainment system is so poor, though.”
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Which?

Model reviewed: Hatchback range“Overall, the Honda Civic is a solid contender in the five-door hatchback market but it’s not quite a Best Buy medium car.”
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Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall rating: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2017

92%

ADULT OCCUPANT

75%

CHILD OCCUPANT

75%

VULNERABLE ROAD USERS

88%

SAFETY ASSIST

Read full Euro NCAP review

Eco rating

The Honda Civic 1.0-litre petrol manual received a 2.5 star rating from Green NCAP in February 2021. We are currently updating our Euro NCAP database, as the organisation changed its rating system and we need to change our database accordingly to be able to display the new scores.

Green NCAP said: “Here, the car is tested with a 1.0 turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine producing 93 kW and 220 Nm of torque. On the whole, the car does a reasonable job of limiting its emissions, the GPF keeping particulate number in check. However, in the more challenging tests, values of CO and NH₃ are high and the car loses points.

“The car scores better for its energy efficiency and control of greenhouse gases and its average index puts it just into the 2½ star band.

This rating only applies to the 1.0-litre petrol manual version of the Honda Civic, and does not imply similar ratings for other engine and gearbox combinations in the range.

Awards

Trophies, prizes and awards that the Honda Civic has received

2020

Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Lower Medium Car

2019

• Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Lower Medium Car

2018

• Company Car Today CCT100 Awards – Best Lower Medium Car
• Fleet News FN50 survey – Most Reliable Fleet Car

Similar cars

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta | Citroën C4 | Citroën C4 Cactus | Fiat Tipo | Ford Focus | Hyundai i30 | Kia Ceed | Mazda 3 | Mini Countryman | Peugeot 308 | Renault Megane | SEAT Leon | Skoda Scala | Skoda Octavia | Toyota Corolla | Vauxhall Astra | Volkswagen Golf

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