• 2013 Honda Civic

• 2012 Honda Civic
• Used Honda Civic
• Repairs Honda Civic

Scorecard

Overall:	2013 Honda Civic U.S. News Best Cars 7.8
Critics' Rating:	7.3
Performance:	7.6
Interior:	8.0
Safety:	9.8
Reliability:

How we calculate scores

Research analyzed for this review

Notable for 2013

• Standard air conditioning, USB port, Bluetooth, rearview camera

Pros & Cons

• Good gas mileage
• Plenty of standard interior features
• Balanced steering

• Competitors have more cargo space

Research Other Years

• 2012 Honda Civic
• 2011 Honda Civic
• 2010 Honda Civic
• 2009 Honda Civic
• 2008 Honda Civic
• 2007 Honda Civic

The 2013 Honda Civic ranks 20 out of 43 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 21 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Civic, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

According to reviewers, the 2013 Honda Civic’s improved interior materials and additional standard features make it class-competitive, but its performance and cabin space are merely adequate.

The Honda Civic comes in base, Si, HF and Hybrid models. The Honda Civic Hybrid is reviewed separately. Each has a different powertrain setup, but they all have a four-cylinder gasoline engine. The base Civic’s engine makes 140 horsepower, and while reviewers think it provides the Civic with good freeway acceleration, they think some competitors feel more powerful. The EPA hasn’t released fuel economy ratings for the base Civic, but Honda says it averages 28/39 mpg city/highway. The Si’s four-cylinder engine makes 201 horsepower, and critics report that the difference in acceleration is noticeable. The base Civic has five-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Reviewers don’t complain about either one, but some wish that they had six gears like many rivals. For the 2013 model year, Honda tightened the Civic’s suspension, and reviewers say that the steering is balanced and that the ride isn’t too soft or too stiff. The Honda Civic doesn't lead the class with stellar performance, but it does trump a lot of the competition with a combination that few small cars can match: above-average safety and reliability scores.

This year, the Honda Civic has more standard features, which brings it in line with offerings from its competitors. The base sedan comes with air conditioning, a USB port, Bluetooth and a rearview camera. None of these features were standard on the 2012 Civic. A navigation system and a stereo upgrade are optional. Overall, test drivers think the climate and audio controls are easy to use, though one says the navigation system is a little complicated. Auto writers are pleased with the Civic’s cabin space and comfortable seats. They report that the front seats offer good space for adults, though tall adults will need more headroom. They say the rear seats will fit most adults. The Civic trails some of its classmates in terms of cargo space, though.

• "Civic is not tops in the compact class at everything, but its strength lies in that it really has no glaring faults. ... Although Civic is now up against a much tougher group of rival cars -- some of which might best it from a ‘features per dollar’ standpoint -- it's still a compact-car Best Buy." -- Consumer Guide 
• "But with new compacts threatening its traditional dominance, the 2013 Civic arrives with a new look to complement its still-competitive package." -- Edmunds 
• "Result: Civic's now a car that's fun to drive, not one that's just OK. It feels as if it's a credible contender for best compact." -- USA Today

Other Cars to Consider

Reviewers say the Mazda3 is the better pick for shoppers craving an agile small car with good engine power and high fuel economy ratings. Reviewers think the Mazda3’s second-row seats are cramped for adults, but its zippy performance may make up for its limited second-row space.

If you like the Civic but want all-wheel drive, check out the Subaru Impreza. Though the Impreza’s fuel economy ratings are worse than the Civic’s, they’re still impressive, especially when you consider that all-wheel drive is standard. Available as a sedan and hatchback, reviewers say the Impreza has comfortable rear seats and a quality interior.

Compare the Civic, Mazda3 and Impreza »

Details: 2013 Honda Civic

The five-seat 2013 Civic sedan and coupe are available in LX, EX and EX-L trims. There is also a Civic Hybrid model, which is reviewed separately, and a Natural Gas model. The base model has a four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. The Honda Civic was redesigned for the 2012 model year, but Honda made significant updates for 2013 by improving interior quality and adding more standard features, such as air conditioning, a USB port, Bluetooth and a rearview camera. Since the 2012 and 2013 Civics are similar, this overview uses applicable research and reviews from both model years.

See the full 2013 Honda Civic specs »