The Honda Civic is one of the best midsize cars you can buy. It comes in several layouts, including a four-door sedan and a hatchback model, plus a hybrid powertrain or traditional gas engine. The Civic is spacious and delivers sharp handling for a fun driving experience. How do you choose which Civic is right for you? Let’s find out.
What You Should Know About the New Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic gets a new hybrid powertrain for 2025. It makes 200 horsepower, the same as the Si, but it makes more low-end torque. It may not be outfitted with the Si’s sporty extras, but in terms of pure acceleration, it can probably match. The real perk is the 49 combined mpg that you’ll get from the hybrid. It also manages around 45 mpg in the city, which is great for low-speed driving conditions.
City driving is where many gas engines lose efficiency, but hybrid powertrains are right at home with additional power from the electric motor and regenerative braking to recharge the battery. The Sport Hybrid might cost more than the other non-Si Civic models, but it makes up for that price with savings at the pump, plus it adds extras like a sunroof and heated seats.
In terms of driving dynamics, the hybrid Civic is a bit heavier than the gas models, but the additional weight actually helps stabilize and smooth out the ride. You also might expect that the battery would take away storage space, but the hybrid Civic boasts more storage space than its rivals.
Exploring the Popular Gas Models
The most popular Civic trim at your local Honda dealership is the regular Sport trim, which starts in the $27,000 range. Its affordability is a big part of its popularity. The lower purchase price is pretty tempting when there’s plenty to like about the non-hybrid Civic. It’s still fuel efficient with an EPA estimate of up to 36 mpg combined. It’s also enjoyable to drive around town with sharp handling and quick throttle response.
The Sport trim has cloth seats, which is a downgrade from the leather upholstery in the Sport Touring trim. However, no matter which Civic you get, you can expect roomy rear seats. The passenger space is the same whether you get a sedan or a hatchback. It’s roomy enough to accommodate a six-foot passenger behind a six-foot driver.
The tech is slightly different depending on the model, too. The Sport has a seven-inch display, while the Sport Touring gets a nine-inch display with more advanced infotainment software. The Sport Touring is also the only model with Google built in.
Comparing Value in Civic Trims
Aside from fuel economy and power, the biggest difference in the hybrid models versus the gas models is price. The base Civic LX sedan goes for an affordable $25,400. The Civic Sport sedan is only a few thousand more at $27,400. However, if you jump to the first hybrid in the lineup, the Sport Hybrid, you’ll be paying just over $30,000. The Sport Touring Hybrid sedan takes another jump to $33,100.
At the minimum, most buyers will probably want to get the Sport model over the base model. It adds a lot of extra equipment for only $2,000 more. Some of the extras include a blind-spot warning, remote start, an eight-speaker audio system, and split fold-down rear seats.
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