The Honda Civic has been near or at the top of compact sedan segment for so long, maybe one day an upgraded trim or a new generation of the now 46-year-old vehicle will debut that just doesn’t hold up. But it’s not the 2015 edition.
New competitors, Mazda3, Ford Focus and Kia Forte, offer increasing competition. But Honda keeps tweaking the Civic lineup, including this year’s addition of the mid-range SE trim.
Now in the fourth year of its ninth generation, the Civic remains among the most successful automobiles in history. It’s available as a coupe and sedan. And it’s offered in nearly a dozen trims and in three fuel choices: gas, hybrid and natural gas. The trims: LX, EX, SE, EX-L and EX-L Navi (navigation) trims.
Key Takeaways
- Test car: 2015 Civic EX-L Navi sedan with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder, 143 horsepower and a continuously variable transmission.
- $24,300 MSRP and $25,130 as tested.
- New for 2015: the mid-range SE trim joins LX, EX, EX-L and EX-L Navi.
- Ride: With the leather-trimmed seats providing not only more comfort but a noise buffer, the Civic has a composed, comfortable ride with little road noise at any city or highway speed I drove.
- Navigation: The navigation system works efficiently and it features the right-lane watch camera that provides a visual of what’s in the right lane.
There’s something for everyone in the compact market. As such: the Civic may be the versatile vehicle in the automotive industry.
The Weekly Driver Test Drive
In its base LX model, the Civic is equipped with 15-inch steel wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a one-piece fold-down rear seatback and cruise control. Electronic features include a five-inch display screen, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, SMS text messaging functionality and a four-speaker (six for the coupe) sound system with a CD player, an auxiliary audio jack, an iPod/USB audio interface and Pandora radio functionality.
The mid-range Civics add nearly a dozen additions and my top-line sedan EX-L Navi added 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, leather upholstery and heated front seats, an eight-way power driver seat and a navigation system as well as HD and satellite radio.
Since its debut in 1972, when it was little more than a box with an engine and four wheels, the Civic has always a reputation for providing steady, dependable transportation. It’s not the fanciest nor fastest automobile, but it does everything well and keeps doing so, for as long as it’s asked.
Driving Impressions
The front-wheel-drive Civic is powered by a 1.8-liter, 16-valve four-cylinder engine with 143 horsepower. My weekly driver had an automatic continuously variable transmission (CVT). A five-speed manual transmission is an option.
The CVT power is seamless and it further adds to one of the Civic’s best attributes. With the leather-trimmed seats providing not only more comfort but a noise buffer, the Civic has a composed, comfortable ride with little road noise at any city or highway speed I drove.
The navigation system works efficiently and it features the right-lane watch camera that provides a visual of what’s in the right lane. It’s a unique feature and a worthwhile safety component.
What Others Say: “For 2015, the Honda Civic remains the act to beat, thanks to its strong reliability, safety, comfort and resale value.” Kelley Blue Book. “The 2015 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan with Nav offers some of the best performance, fuel economy, and technology you’ll find for the price.” PC Magazine. “The 2015 Honda Civic meets and exceeds small-car buyer preferences for reliability, safety, fuel efficiency, quality, and value without so much as breathing hard. It’s everything you’d expect in a compact economy sedan, and so much more.” CarGuru.com.
2015 Honda Civic Verdict
Looking for a lot of car at a fair price and don’t want buy another vehicle for 10 years? Buy a Honda Civic: gas, hybrid, natural gas. They’re all good.
Likes
Comfortable, confident ride Numerous trim levels and engine types available. Spacious interior.
Dislikes
Not the quickest sedan in the segment Below average cargo space. Strong competition at the same or lower price points.
Facts & Figures: 2015 Honda Civic
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Price | $24,300 (EX-L Navi) |
| As-Tested Price | $25,130 |
| Engine | 1.8-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 143 hp |
| Transmission | Continuously variable (CVT) |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel Economy (listed in the review) | 30 city / 39 highway / 33 combined mpg |
| Fuel Economy (EPA, fueleconomy.gov) | 29 city / 37 highway / 33 combined mpg |
| Fuel Type | Regular |
| Seating | 5 |
| Airbags | 6 |
| Warranty | Bumper to bumper 3 yr/36,000 mi; powertrain 5 yr/60,000 mi; corrosion 5 yr/unlimited |
James Raia
A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida. An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.