Automotive Reviews
The 2023 Honda Civic sets the standard among compact sedans. Even in a fiercely competitive segment, it consistently outperforms its peers in sales. Since its 2022 redesign, you can already spot them in every neighbourhood. Thanks to a sleek exterior, spacious & well-designed interior, and good fuel economy, the Honda Civic is a top pick for families shopping in this segment.
The Civic Touring Sedan is powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, boasting a decent 180 horsepower. When we put it to the test, it clocked in at 8.1 seconds to hit the 100 km/h mark. While this might not be exciting by any means, it’s still quicker than some other vehicles in this class. We also really liked the CVT (continuously variable transmission). It works smoothly and is quick to respond to throttle inputs, which was really appreciated.
The Civic stands out particularly when going around curves, offering a sense of stability that makes driving feel both safe and enjoyable. Additionally, the tires do a great job when it comes to handling thanks to their strong grip on the road. However, they are a little noisy, especially at highway speeds.
The new generation Civic excels in technology and connectivity. The touchscreen infotainment system is conveniently positioned higher on the dashboard and is easy to operate. The infotainment not only looks good but is quick to respond to your inputs. The Touring trim comes with a 9-inch infotainment display, which is two inches larger than the screens found in lower trims, and it includes navigation. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity on the touring trim, along with the available wireless charging, eliminates the need for messy cables. Furthermore, the 10.2” digital speedometer improves the interior appearance and offers decent customization. However, it’s only offered on the costly touring trim.
One area where Honda shines is in offering their suite of safety systems even on the lowest trims. Most of the systems work well, and we didn’t encounter any issues while testing features like adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist. You get the following on every Civic:
Finally, for music lovers, the 12-speaker Bose sound system on the touring trim is a great addition. It does a great job and provides an incredible music-listening experience.
The Civic’s interior design is both appealing and functional. The controls are conveniently located and user-friendly, while space isn’t an issue, as both the front and back offer ample room. Whether you’re tall or shorter, the front seats will fit well, and the back can comfortably fit adults. Furthermore, there is ample leg space and decent headroom in the rear. Honda did a great job making the cabin feel open, and you get a great view all around.
The Civic’s suspension does a great job of dealing with road irregularities. The front leather seats are supportive and suitable for long road trips. However, it’s worth noting that even the touring trim doesn’t include adjustable lumbar support, which is a letdown considering the price tag of the vehicle. Road noise is another aspect where the Civic falls short, especially noticeable at highway speeds. Finally, the climate control system does a great job of ensuring a comfortable cabin temperature and is an improvement over its predecessor. Overall, the comfortable ride, along with its sporty handling, makes the Civic a solid option for those seeking comfort.
The Civic offers 419 L of cargo space in the trunk, which is quite spacious when compared to other vehicles in this class. The trunk space is well-designed, with minimal interference from the wheel areas and trunk hinges. The rear seats can also be folded down to accommodate the loading of longer objects.
Inside the Civic, you’ll find a good amount of space to keep your things organized. However, it’s not as flexible as the older Civic model, which is a bit disappointing. The Civic does offer a spacious center armrest bin and nicely sized cupholders. There’s also a deep front pocket, which serves as a wireless charger in the touring trim and it’s great for stashing smaller items.
The 2023 Honda Civic touring is rated at 7.6/6.1/6.9 L/100km (City/Hwy/Combined). In our testing, we averaged 8.4 L/100km combined.