Honda Civic used cars for sale

Honda Civic buying guide

There are a handful of different engine and trim options to consider for the Honda Civic. Our guide is here to help you navigate the range and choose the right model for you.

What Honda Civic trim levels are there?

SE is the starting point for the Civic lineup. This trim gets alloy wheels, climate control and an infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity.

You’ll need to jump up to the SR trim to get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which come with the upgraded Honda Connect infotainment system. SR models also get larger alloy wheels, auto lights and wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera.

Sport versions of the Civic take some of the sporty looks of the Type R and pair them with a slightly warmed-up 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine. You also get a meaner looking body kit and sporty alloy wheels to help mark Sport versions out.

EX is a high-spec trim for the Civic and includes premium touches such as a leather interior, adaptive suspension, keyless entry, a sunroof, and wireless smartphone charging.

Finally, head and shoulders above the rest is the full-fat Civic Type R. This model is mainly about the thrilling engine and race-car-like handling, but you also get massive (and easily kerbed) alloy wheels, grippy racing seats, an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a special Alcantara steering wheel.

Honda Civic interior and technology

The Civic’s interior is both a strength and a weakness. It’s impressively practical and offers more passenger and cargo space than most of its key competitors. However, it’s not quite as stylish as many rivals, lacking the trendy minimalist dashboard designs that are commonplace these days. Build quality is reassuringly solid, however, with no rattles from any interior trims pieces.

Honda’s infotainment system is also a weakness. The latest Honda Connect system is substantially improved over older versions, but still looks and feels a little clunky compared to the latest from the VW Group, for example. It’s also let down by a small screen, which makes it hard to accurately touch some on-screen options without taking your eyes off the road for an uncomfortably long time.

Despite these shortcomings, however, the Civic remains a practical choice thanks to its excellent passenger and cargo space. Family buyers will have no problem accessing the rear seats, and the boot is easily large enough for pushchairs and baby clobber.

Honda Civic engine range explained

Honda Civic 1.0 VTEC Turbo petrol

The smallest engine in the Civic lineup is the 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol. Despite its small capacity, this unit has been turbocharged up to 126hp, helping it feel fairly peppy. This engine can also be paired with an automatic gearbox.

Honda Civic 1.5 VTEC Turbo petrol

This larger 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine is only available in Civic Sport models. It steps in to bat with 180hp, which drops the 0-62mph time to a brisk 8.3 seconds.

Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC diesel

Buyers with high annual mileages might want to look at the Civic’s diesel engine option. This unit is a 1.6-litre with 120hp and a 0-62mph time just below 11 seconds. Economy is impressive with this version able to average up to 69mpg if you have a gentle right foot.

Honda Civic Type R 2.0 petrol

This is the pinnacle of the Civic range. The Type R uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which makes a mighty 320hp. This can fling the Type R to 62mph from a standstill in just 5.8 seconds, which is faster than plenty of true sports cars. An extremely snappy six-speed manual gearbox makes this engine a genuine enthusiasts’ choice.