By Eric Peters
There’s a reason why people buy things. It is because the things people buy are appealing to the people who spend money on them.
That has been the secret of the Honda Civic’s success for the past 50 years.
But why, specifically?
The answer is easy: The Civic meets buyers’ needs — and their wants. It is practical, efficient and affordable. It also comes in more than just one take-it-or-leave-it way.
And most of all, it offers the kind of fun that’s becoming very hard to find in a practical, efficient and affordable small car.
What It Is
The Civic is Honda’s entry-level compact car. Unlike most of the others of its type, it’s available in sedan and five-door hatchback body styles. It is also available with three different engines and two different transmissions.
Prices start at $23,450 for the LX sedan, which is equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT automatic. The same basic thing in a five-door hatchback lists for $24,450.
The Sport trim stickers for $25,050 ($25,850 for the hatchback) with the same engine, but in the hatchback, you can pair it with a manual transmission.
EX trims ($26,450 for the sedan, $28,150 for the hatch) come only with the CVT automatic, but they both come standard with a stronger 1.5-liter turbocharged engine.
The high-performance Si ($26,450) gets a stronger version of the 1.5-liter engine paired only with a manual transmission. This version of the Civic is also offered only in the sedan body style.
But if you want the hatch — and the strongest-available Civic engine — there’s a Type R iteration that comes only with a manual transmission as well as flared fenders, a rear wing, high-capacity Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels and tires and an adaptive suspension.
It lists for $43,295.
What’s New for 2023
The Type R variant returns to the roster.
What’s Good
More than just one Civic.
More than just one Civic engine.
More than just one Civic transmission.
What’s Not So Good
Not every engine and transmission is available with the kind of Civic you might prefer.
Every Civic comes standard with “advanced driver assistance technologies” many drivers don’t want.
Standard four-speaker stereo could use two more speakers.
Under The Hood
The base LX trim — sedan and hatch — come standard with a 2.0-liter four that isn’t turbocharged. It makes 158 horsepower and rates 31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway.
If you prefer a little more action, you can pair the 2.0 engine with a manual transmission, in the hatchback Sport trim. The city/highway figures dip to 26/36 — but that’s still very economical.
If you prefer more scoot, the 1.5-liter engine might just suit. This smaller engine is fitted with a turbocharger, which enables it to make more horsepower (180) without using more gas. In fact, this engine uses less gas. Paired with the CVT (in the sedan) it rates 33 city, 42 highway; even when paired with the six-speed manual (in the hatch) it rates 28 city, 37 highway.
More scoot?
The Si gets a more powerful (200 horsepower) version of the 1.5-liter engine. Paired with the standard six-speed manual, this one returns the same 28 city, 37 highway while also cutting down the Civic’s zero to 60 time to 6.7 seconds. That’s about two seconds quicker than the base LX with the nonturbo 2.0 engine and the CVT automatic.
Finally — ultimately — there is the Type R. This one reverts to the larger 2.0-liter engine, but heavily modified (and turbocharged). It summons 315 horsepower, making it one of the highest-output-per-liter engines ever offered.
A Type R can get to 60 in five seconds, making it (by far) the quickest Civic Honda has ever offered.
And it still manages 22 city, 28 highway.
On The Road
The base LX with the 2.0 and CVT is what Civics have always been — an inexpensive, economical and pleasant way to get around. It’s a great choice for a first car or a commuter car.
The Sport hatch with the manual adds fun to the mix. Honda’s manuals are particularly fun because of the tight shift-action and the very traffic-friendly (not grabby) clutch. For more fun, there’s the available 1.5-liter engine with either 180 or 200 horsepower.
Then there’s the Type R. This thing has its very own personality, just as Mr. Hyde did. But it’s also Dr. Jekyll in that despite what it can do (like Mr. Hyde), it is a remarkably amiable car that can be driven comfortably in stop-and-go traffic.
And then, when it’s time to go …
At The Curb
One of the appeals of the Civic is that it appeals to more people.
Some people prefer a sedan — and the lower buy-in cost. (You can save $1,000 buying the LX sedan versus the LX hatch). Others prefer the hatchback layout because it makes the most of the space available, which in the case of a small car is no small thing.
The sedan has 14.8 cubic feet of trunk space. If that’s not enough, the hatchback has 24.5 cubic feet of space.
Either way, you get analog-style gauges (excepting the Type R) rather than smartphone-style “displays.” There is an iPad style touch screen sprouting from the dash top, but there are also hand-friendly knobs to adjust temperature, fan speed and so on. An interesting feature is the aircraft-style toggle vents that allow for more precise directional control of the airflow.
The Rest
All trims come with push-button ignition (and transmitter fob) rather than a key. This is in keeping with trends, but some may miss being able to get a replacement key cut for less than $10 at any hardware store rather than dealing with a replacement fob that must be programmed — and that often costs a great deal more than $10.
The Bottom Line
The Civic remains popular even as the popularity of small cars has waned. There’s probably a reason for that.

Eric’s latest book, “Doomed: Good Cars Gone Wrong!” will be available soon. To find out more about Eric and read his past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
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