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Honda Civic - What the Auto Press Says

The 2010 Honda Civic ranks 1 out of 36 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 76 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Civic, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Reviewers agree that the 2010 Honda Civic is a winning combination of substance and style that has deservedly staked its claim as a class leader. It is one of the most reliable, fuel efficient and solid-performing vehicles in the affordable small car class.

Although several compacts have more comfort or utility, few cars have captured the media attention for all-around excellence like the 2010 Honda Civic. Unchanged for 2010, it continues to offer the same winning combination of form and function that led Consumer Guide to name the 2009 model a "Best Buy."

The Civic isn't flawless. Despite its great performance, excellent fuel economy and impressive list of features, it lags behind certain class competitors when it comes to interior comfort and cargo capacity. For example, the Honda Fit (which costs about $500 less than the base Civic) is well worth a look for those in need of more cargo space. With a versatile rear "magic seat," the Fit affords more cargo options than the Civic's 60/40 split rear seats. Those who want a more comfortable interior should also check out the Volkswagen Rabbit, which costs about $1,000 more and doesn't have the reliability scores of the Civic but, which is well-liked for its cushy interior, smooth ride and impressive power.

Choosing to buy a Civic is the easy part. The hard part is deciding which trim is right for you. The basic Civic comes in both sedan and coupe models and comes in several trims (DX, DX-VP, LX, LX-S, EX and EX-L) which range in price from approximately $15,500 to around $22,000. The Civic SI is performance-oriented trim, which offers 57 more horsepower than the base model, a few more performance options and a starting price of around $6,500 more. The Civic Hybrid has a separate review. The GX is an eco-friendly alternative to the Hybrid and runs on Compressed Natural Gas, but it's only sold in California (and other states that have excepted California's Zero-Emission Vehicle regulations) and it starts at about $10,000 more than a base Civic.

The Honda Civic is essentially unchanged for 2010, so savvy car buyers may want to consider purchasing a 2009 model. Dealers are under pressure to make room on their lots for the new 2010 models so you may be able to snag a deal on a 2009. Be sure to check for current Honda deals that may be available on a Civic.

• "What no competitor matches is this compact's particular fusion of engineering, style, value, and reputation for reliability and strong resale value." -- Consumer Guide
• "The Civic continues to hold its position at the top of the highly competitive compact class, thanks to innovative styling, refinement, Honda reliability, and a broad model line that ranges from the eco-friendly Civic Hybrid to the racy Civic Si." -- New Car Test Drive
• "Honda knows how to time things. Just as fuel costs have prompted Americans to say 'Whoa, Mamma Joe!' on their personal appetites for fuel...Honda is ready to receive them with its fuel-sipping Civic lineup." -- Car and Driver
• "As Honda's best-known and best-loved car line, the...Civic Sedan and Coupe continue to set the bar in the compact-car arena. Long considered the standard by which all other compacts are measured, the Civic is able to lure buyers thanks to its impressive fuel economy, unrivaled reliability and repair history and class-leading resale values." -- Kelley Blue Book
• "Some styling elements are rather odd, such as the minivan-like windshield, snub nose and the dual-tiered instrument panel that combines digital and analog gauges. But the high build quality, sporty driving dynamics, rock-solid reputation for reliability and impressive fuel efficiency more than make up for a few aesthetic quirks. Some may even think of such quirkiness as a plus." -- Edmunds

Civic Performance - 8.3 (Very Good)

All Civics are capable around-town performers and enjoyable to drive. "We like driving Honda Civics," says New Car Test Drive. "We found ride quality in the Honda Civic solid but not overly firm, with less road noise and wind whistle than is common for the class."  Read More

Civic Exterior - 8.2 (Very Good)

Reviewers aren't crazy about the exterior styling of the 2010 Honda Civic. Their main comment isn't that the design is bad; it's just that it's uninteresting. Automobile Magazine is blunt, saying "The Civic...is a Civic. You probably saw (and didn't notice) six of them on your commute to work this morning. Even our test car's bright red paint and plus-size spoiler couldn't overcome the sheer ubiquity of the design."  Read More

Civic Interior - 8.2 (Very Good)

The automotive press generally has good things to say about the 2010 Honda Civic's interior. They like its materials quality, overall design and easy-to-use controls. As Kelley Blue Book puts it, "In addition to offering more in-cabin technology than we've come to expect, the...Honda Civic also features the most visually futuristic interior of any vehicle on the market."  Read More

Civic Safety - 9.6 (Excellent)

With excellent safety scores in federal government and insurance industry crash tests, as well as standard safety features like antilock brakes and six airbags, the Honda Civic makes a strong impression as a safe vehicle. Nonetheless, important features like Vehicle Stability Assist and Brake Assist are still standard only on higher trim levels. Read More

Civic Reliability - NA

Honda provides a basic warranty for the 2010 Civic that's good for the first three years or 36,000 miles, and has a longstanding reputation for high quality and strong reliability. Read More