Civic proves sedans still have plenty of life

As SUV and pickup truck sales soar, only a handful of sedans continue to be manufactured today. Yet, one sedan stands out decades later due to its reliability, price point and fuel efficiency — the Honda Civic.

The Honda Civic began manufacturing in 1973 at the height of the oil crisis when car owners desired a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Over the years, Honda tweaked the Civic, first starting with a two-door, then a hatchback and now their latest — a hybrid model.

Honda Civic’s popularity is consistent among both drivers and vehicle critics. It’s been named “Car and Driver 10 Best List” 12 times. Kelley Blue Book has rated the Civic as a “best buy” 11 times. It’s been awarded numerous times as tops in both the family car and compact car of the year categories. For the past decade, the Civic, alongside the Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla and Honda Accord, frequently duke it out for the top four best-selling sedans.

What’s not to love about a Civic? The model I drove was a 2026 Honda Civic Hybrid. This four-door costs $33,500 and gets a whopping 49 miles to the gallon. 

It’s easy to get in and out of the car with plenty of room to stretch out for tall folks, as opposed to my short legs.

The interior seating with its durable stitched leather is a nice touch. That same stitching is on the steering wheel and shifting knob. Fortunately, drivers still have a traditional shifter in the center — an old-school touch some auto makers are returning to.

I pressed the push button start, and was soon surprised at how quickly the Civic took off. With a 2 liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine, the Civic offered smooth handling and a zippy ride. The experience was almost like driving a sports car, as I took the corners quickly, unlike a bulky SUV. In fact, Honda Civics are commonly used in autocross racing events with drivers modifying the engines and bodies, using a variety of models from the last two decades.

The Civic manages to squeeze in all the safety features with a back-up camera located on the 9-inch touchscreen. A 12-speaker Bose system offers a thumpy bass with the ability to crank up the music without a tin-like sound. Other features include a sunroof, deep cupholders, wireless cell phone charging and heated seats. Heated power door mirrors come in handy to prevent a frosty build-up.

Real knobs are available to adjust temperatures, stereo volume and fan controls. I appreciate that, as they are straight forward, unlike some car’s touchscreens where finding the right control can be a challenge.

Jumping in the back seat, I was surprised to experience ample head and leg room. I popped the trunk and discovered 14.8 cubic feet of space, which fits at least four carry-on suitcases plus room for backpacks and jackets. Drivers who like packing a trunk to its maximum capacity will appreciate the challenge.

For more than 50 years, the Honda Civic has been a solid investment with strong resale value helping seal the deal. Add in the hybrid’s fuel savings, and the Civic is an even more compelling choice among the limited sedan market. ♦

Jackie Wilson has written hundreds of articles for CITYVIEW and the Iowa Living magazines. She covers ordinary people living extraordinary lives.