Honda Civic (USA)

Which Honda Civic (USA) Version Should You Buy?

The best Honda Civic (USA) version depends on whether you value low fuel consumption, everyday performance, or maximum power. Among versions with measured figures, the 1.3 CVT Hybrid from the eighth generation records the lowest combined consumption at 4.7 l/100 km.

The best Honda Civic (USA) version depends on whether you value low fuel consumption, everyday performance, or maximum power. Among versions with measured figures, the 1.3 CVT Hybrid from the eighth generation records the lowest combined consumption at 4.7 l/100 km. The ninth-generation 2.4 MT offers the quickest measured acceleration at 5.1 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, while the restyled tenth-generation 1.5 Si MT reaches the highest measured top speed at 241 km/h. For a newer all-round choice, the eleventh-generation 1.5 CVT combines 180 hp, 220 Nm, 8.0–8.4-second acceleration and 6.5–7.6 l/100 km combined consumption, depending on the listed version.

Honda Civic generations: what changed?

The first generation ran from 1972-07-01 to 1979-06-30 as an Estate 5-door, with 4 versions. Its 1.2 MT, 1.2 AT, 1.5 MT, and 1.5 AT were all naturally aspirated, carbureted Gasoline versions with FWD. Power ranged from 50 to 60 hp. The manuals used 4 gears, while the automatics used 2.

The second generation began as a Sedan from 1979-07-01 to 1980-08-31, with 2 versions: 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT, both producing 61 hp and 93 Nm. Its restyling ran from 1980-09-01 to 1983-09-30 as an Estate 5-door, again with 2 versions. The restyled 1.3 MT and 1.3 AT produced 60 hp and 99 Nm; measured acceleration was 15.2 seconds for the manual and 19.2 seconds for the automatic.

The third generation was a Sedan offered from 1983-09-01 to 1987-09-30, with 10 versions. Its exact names were 1.2 MT, 1.2 MT, 1.3 MT, 1.3 AT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 AT, 1.5 MT, and 1.5 AT. Power ranged from 54 to 101 hp. The strongest 1.5 MT had 101 hp, 129 Nm, a 9.2-second acceleration figure and a 185 km/h top speed.

The fourth generation ran from 1987-09-01 to 1991-08-31 as a Coupe, with 2 versions. Both the 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT delivered 90 hp and 118 Nm from a 1493 cc Gasoline engine. Performance and fuel-consumption figures were not measured.

The fifth-generation Coupe covered 1991-09-01 to 1995-08-31 and contained 2 versions. Its 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT each produced 102 hp and 133 Nm. Both used multi-point injection and independent spring suspension at each end; acceleration, top speed, and consumption were not measured.

The sixth generation appeared as a Hatchback 3-door from 1995-09-01 to 1997-12-31, with 4 versions: 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT at 106 hp, plus 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT at 127 hp. The restyled sixth generation ran from 1998-01-01 to 2000-08-31 as a Coupe, with 7 versions: 1.6 CVT, three distinct 1.6 AT entries at 105, 125, and 160 hp, and three 1.6 MT entries at 105, 125, and 160 hp. The 160 hp 1.6 MT improved measured acceleration to 8.1 seconds and top speed to 218 km/h.

The seventh-generation Coupe ran from 2000-09-01 to 2003-08-31, with 6 versions: three 1.7 MT entries at 120, 125, and 130 hp; two 1.7 AT entries at 120 and 125 hp; and a 1.7 CVT at 130 hp. Its restyling ran from 2003-09-01 to 2005-09-30, retained the Coupe body, and expanded to 12 versions. It added 1.7 MT, 1.7 AT, and 1.7 CVT alternatives across several outputs, a 100 hp 1.7 CVT LPG version, and an 85 hp 1.3 MT Hybrid.

The eighth-generation Coupe ran from 2005-09-01 to 2008-01-31 with 8 versions. Choices included 1.8 MT and 1.8 AT Gasoline versions, 2.0 MT performance versions, a 1.3 CVT Hybrid, and a 1.8 AT LPG version. Its 2008-02-01 to 2010-12-31 restyling retained the Coupe body and offered 7 versions. The key spread remained the 140 hp 1.8 MT/1.8 AT, 200 hp 2.0 MT, and 95 hp 1.3 CVT Hybrid.

The ninth-generation Coupe, produced from 2011-01-01 to 2013-12-31, had 8 versions. These included 1.8 MT, 1.8 AT, 2.4 MT, 1.5 CVT Hybrid, and 1.8 AT LPG entries. The restyling changed the listed body to Sedan for 2014-01-01 to 2015-09-30 and offered 6 versions: 1.8 MT, 1.8 CVT, 1.8 AT LPG, 2.4 MT, another 1.8 MT, and another 1.8 CVT. The 2.4 MT rose from 201 hp and 220 Nm before restyling to 205 hp and 236 Nm afterward.

The tenth generation was a Hatchback 5-door from 2015-11-01 to 2019-07-31, with 11 versions. Its exact version names were repeated across different outputs and calibrations: 1.5 MT, 1.5 CVT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 CVT, 1.5 CVT, 1.5 MT, 2.0 MT, 2.0 CVT, 1.5 MT, 1.5 CVT, and 2.0 MT. The 2018-08-01 to 2021-06-30 restyling also offered 11 versions and added the 205 hp 1.5 Si MT to the 1.5 MT, 1.5 CVT, 2.0 MT, and 2.0 CVT range.

The eleventh-generation Hatchback 5-door began on 2020-11-01 and has 4 listed versions: two 1.5 CVT entries at 180 hp and two 2.0 CVT entries at 158 hp. A second restyling entry begins on 2024-06-01, also as a Hatchback 5-door, but it currently contains 0 measured versions.

Honda Civic USA engine specs compared

The power-per-litre comparison favors the smaller turbo engine. The restyled tenth-generation 1.5 Si MT produces about 136.8 hp per litre, compared with about 87.1 hp per litre for the restyled ninth-generation 2.4 MT and about 100.1 hp per litre for the eighth-generation 2.0 MT. The 205 hp 1.5 Si MT therefore supplies the same peak power as the 205 hp 2.4 MT from 856 cc less displacement.

Performance, fuel economy and MPG-related figures

For maximum measured acceleration, the ninth-generation 2.4 MT and restyled ninth-generation 2.4 MT both record 5.1 seconds to 100 km/h. The eighth-generation restyled 2.0 MT follows at 6.9 seconds, while the restyled tenth-generation 1.5 Si MT needs 7.3 seconds. Its 241 km/h maximum is the highest measured top speed in the data, 1 km/h above the quickest listed eighth-generation 2.0 MT.

For economy, the eighth-generation and restyled eighth-generation 1.3 CVT Hybrid records 4.8 l/100 km city, 4.6 l/100 km highway, and 4.7 l/100 km combined. The seventh-generation restyling’s 1.3 MT Hybrid uses 5.1, 4.6, and 4.9 l/100 km, respectively. The ninth-generation 1.5 CVT Hybrid records 5.3, 5.0, and 5.2 l/100 km.

Among later turbo choices, a tenth-generation 174 hp 1.5 MT records 7.6 l/100 km city, 5.6 l/100 km highway, and 6.7 l/100 km combined. The restyled tenth-generation 205 hp 1.5 Si MT uses 9.0, 6.5, and 7.8 l/100 km, so its additional 31 hp costs 1.1 l/100 km in combined consumption relative to that 174 hp 1.5 MT.

Performance or economy values shown as null in the data are not measured. This applies, for example, to acceleration, top speed, and all consumption figures for the fifth-generation 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT, as well as the seventh-generation 130 hp 1.7 MT and 1.7 CVT.

Honda Civic USA dimensions, weight and tank capacity

External length, width, and height are not measured in the supplied data. Kerb weight, gross weight, ground clearance, tank capacity, and occasional wheel sizes are available.

The lightest measured version is the first-generation 1.2 MT at 695 kg kerb weight, with a 1055 kg gross weight and 38 l tank. At the performance end, the restyled ninth-generation 2.4 MT weighs 1362 kg, giving about 6.64 kg per hp. The restyled tenth-generation 1.5 Si MT weighs 1310 kg, improving that ratio to about 6.39 kg per hp while also using a smaller 1498 cc engine.

The eleventh-generation 1.5 CVT weighs either 1365 kg or 1405 kg, depending on the listed version; gross weight is not measured. Both have 150 mm ground clearance and a 47 l tank. The two eleventh-generation 2.0 CVT entries weigh 1305 kg and 1330 kg, also with 150 mm clearance and 47 l tanks.

Ground clearance is 110 mm on every listed restyled sixth-generation version, 145 mm across the eighth generation and its restyling, 130 mm across the tenth generation and its restyling, and 150 mm on the eleventh generation. Wheel sizes are not measured for most versions. The restyled seventh-generation entries specify 185/70 R14 and 195/60 R15.

Which Honda Civic version should you buy?

Choose the eighth-generation 1.3 CVT if the lowest measured fuel consumption is the priority. Its 4.7 l/100 km combined result is 4.3 l/100 km lower than the 9.0 l/100 km combined figure of the quickest eighth-generation 2.0 MT, although the Hybrid has 95 hp rather than 200 hp and takes 12.3 seconds rather than 6.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

Choose the restyled ninth-generation 2.4 MT for the strongest measured straight-line performance. It has 205 hp, 236 Nm, a 5.1-second acceleration time, and a 237 km/h maximum. Against the generation’s 143 hp 1.8 MT, it adds 62 hp and 61 Nm, while combined consumption rises from 7.6 to 9.4 l/100 km.

Choose the restyled tenth-generation 1.5 Si MT if power density and maximum speed matter most. Its 205 hp, 261 Nm, 7.3-second acceleration time and 241 km/h top speed make it the most performance-focused measured tenth-generation option. Compared with the restyled 180 hp 1.5 MT, it adds 25 hp and 21 Nm; combined consumption increases from 7.1 to 7.8 l/100 km.

Choose the eleventh-generation 1.5 CVT over the 2.0 CVT when stronger measured acceleration matters. At their best listed figures, the 1.5 CVT has 180 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds, and tops out at 226 km/h. The 2.0 CVT has 158 hp, needs 9.7 seconds, and reaches 213 km/h. The best measured combined-consumption figures are 6.5 l/100 km for the 1.5 CVT and 6.7 l/100 km for the 2.0 CVT, so the stronger version is also 0.2 l/100 km lower on that specific comparison.

Prices, used-car offers, reliability, problems, repair costs, and engine prices are not measured in the supplied data. They cannot decide this comparison. On the recorded specifications alone, the 1.3 CVT Hybrid is the economy choice, the 2.4 MT is the acceleration choice, the 1.5 Si MT is the top-speed and power-density choice, and the eleventh-generation 1.5 CVT is the strongest newer all-round option.