Honda Civic

Honda's 11th-generation Civic remains fuel efficient and brings a simpler infotainment system. The standard engine is an adequate 2.0-liter four-cylinder, though a more powerful and quieter 1.5-liter turbo comes on higher trims. Handling is quite nimble and very secure but the ride is stiff and choppy. The Civic suffers from elevated road noise, which can become tiring on trips--the top Touring trim has better sound insulation and is significantly quieter, but also considerably more expensive. The cabin is relatively roomy but it's awkward to get in and out due to the car's low-slung stance. The touch-screen infotainment system is very easy to use. All trims come standard with FCW, AEB with pedestrian detection, LDW, and LKA. Unfortunately, BSW and RCTW are only available on the two highest trims.

Most Civic redesigns have been evolutions on a theme. Not this one; Honda pulled out all of the stops, building a clean-sheet design. The result is a newly refined Civic that feels more upscale and substantial than previous efforts. Base models still use a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, but all higher trims have a 1.5-liter turbocharged four. Both engines are refined and economical, and the CVT automatic works well. Handling is spry and responsive, and the ride isolates against most road bumps. Road noise is subdued, addressing a longtime Civic vice. The interior features nicer materials and has a spacious rear seat. Basic versions have an easy-to-use radio, but uplevel trims have an unintuitive touchscreen infotainment system that lacks any traditional knobs and buttons. Almost every trim offers the optional Honda Sensing safety suite, including forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking. A hatchback version joined the lineup for 2017. The Civic received a number of interior and exterior styling updates for 2019, as well as standard Honda Sensing suite of safety equipment on all but the top performance versions -- the Si and Type R. Beginning with the 2020 model year, the Civic Sport Touring hatchback gets an upgraded infotainment system and is now offered with a six-speed manual transmission. Other changes for 2020 include standard Honda Sensing on the Si, as well as a new final drive ratio for the manual transmission (in an attempt to boost the Si's acceleration). Updates for the hot Type R model include various exterior and interior styling changes, suspension upgrades, and standard Honda Sensing.

For years, the Honda Civic ranked among the best small cars you could buy - until the 2012 redesign. It was a big step backwards, losing its premium feel and enjoyable nature. Instead, this Civic has a cheap interior, numb handling, and a bouncy ride. Interior road noise is also pronounced. Overly light and devoid of feedback, vague steering robbed the Civic of its sporty character. The ride is unsettled, even on the highway. Honda rushed back to the drawing board, substantially improving the car for 2013 by improving the ride, handling, and interior finish. More changes came for 2014, with a CVT automatic replacing the traditional automatic. Throughout all of the changes, a high point was the 1.8-liter four-cylinder, which returned an impressive 30 mpg with the CVT and responsive acceleration. Expect 40 mpg overall from the hybrid. The sporty Civic Si has a super-slick six-speed manual and returns 29 mpg overall. There's even a natural gas version. Rear-seat room is decent, but not everyone likes the dual-tier dashboard. Stability control finally became standard.

The 2006-2011 Civic was a major improvement over earlier versions, featuring a roomier and quieter interior and a better ride. Most versions have a refined and economical 1.8-liter four-cylinder, returning 28 mpg overall with the five-speed automatic and 31 mpg with the slick-shifting manual. A hybrid version gets a combined 37 mpg, but it sacrifices some trunk space and hybrid battery failures have been an issue. (We'd pick a Toyota Prius instead.) Steering is well-weighted and quick. Road noise remains noticeable. Inside is a roomy rear seat for a small car, with enough room for adults. The unique two-tier dashboard isn't to everyone's liking. The sporty Si uses a more powerful and rev-happy 2.0-liter four with a crisp six-speed manual, but its steering lacks feedback. As the years ticked by, Honda was slow to add electronic stability control (ESC) to this generation Civic, only including it on high-end EX-L and Si trims at the very end of the model run; most competitors introduced ESC earlier.

Good performance, efficient fuel economy, and plenty of interior space make the Honda Civic a fine choice. Most versions come with a sprightly 1.7-liter four-cylinder; the uplevel EX trim makes a bit more power and returns 29 mpg overall. Hybrid versions get 36 mpg overall, but they're slower than the regular Civic and have suffered hybrid battery failures. Handling is fairly nimble, but the ride is a bit too firm and road noise is pronounced. The Civic Si hatchback doesn't add that much excitement, despite its 160-hp engine. Antilock brakes were standard on the EX, Si, and Hybrid.

The Civic features smooth, efficient four-cylinder engines. The cabin was fairly noisy, but the ride was comfortable. A 1996 redesign improved the handling of previous generation. The engines grew a bit larger but quieter. The interior was well thought out, too. The sporty Si Coupe joined the line for 1999.