Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

• 

  MPG monster - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Fitz - March 25 - 3:18 am

  Paying attention to what the mainstream reviewers focused on: 1) Its a CVT and youd only notice the tone/feel if you were waiting for a normal upshift during light acceleration. If you stomp on it, it GOES. If youre looking for the turbo lag, youll find it - but youll also hit 60 in 7 seconds. Theres just no downside to the normal needs of daily driving in this car. 2) "No volume knob". Yeah, you get used to the steering wheel controls. It was a non issue for me. I do compare it to our Ford Edge though. The Synch 3 has a multi-display (like radio and map at the same time) and the Hondas only shows one thing at a time. Both have advantages. 3) Lane Watch is better than looking backwards over your shoulder to your right side blind spot. Im afraid the new habit will kill me when driving another car. 4) Styling: Never mind the opinions. Handwashing all the nooks and crannies is a pain. The number of textured features is incredible when youre sponging out seasonal pollen. 5) Theres a lot of commentary about lack of lumbar support in the seats. Yup. Im used to Accord level leather seats and these civic ones sometimes give like an old recliner cushion. I have had no discomfort on my regular long commutes though. They also look great. 6) Handling: Sweet. When you start turning too hard/fast on a highway ramp, you can feel the dampeners take over and start subtracting G-force. It gives me the impression Im being seduced into going faster when perhaps the car should be telling me to behave. Ive gotten nothing but wild compliments and jealousy in this car. Its a lot of fun.

• 

  MPG monster - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Fitz - March 25 - 3:18 am

  Paying attention to what the mainstream reviewers focused on: 1) Its a CVT and youd only notice the tone/feel if you were waiting for a normal upshift during light acceleration. If you stomp on it, it GOES. If youre looking for the turbo lag, youll find it - but youll also hit 60 in 7 seconds. Theres just no downside to the normal needs of daily driving in this car. 2) "No volume knob". Yeah, you get used to the steering wheel controls. It was a non issue for me. I do compare it to our Ford Edge though. The Synch 3 has a multi-display (like radio and map at the same time) and the Hondas only shows one thing at a time. Both have advantages. 3) Lane Watch is better than looking backwards over your shoulder to your right side blind spot. Im afraid the new habit will kill me when driving another car. 4) Styling: Never mind the opinions. Handwashing all the nooks and crannies is a pain. The number of textured features is incredible when youre sponging out seasonal pollen. 5) Theres a lot of commentary about lack of lumbar support in the seats. Yup. Im used to Accord level leather seats and these civic ones sometimes give like an old recliner cushion. I have had no discomfort on my regular long commutes though. They also look great. 6) Handling: Sweet. When you start turning too hard/fast on a highway ramp, you can feel the dampeners take over and start subtracting G-force. It gives me the impression Im being seduced into going faster when perhaps the car should be telling me to behave. Ive gotten nothing but wild compliments and jealousy in this car. Its a lot of fun.

• 

  MPG monster - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Fitz - March 25 - 3:18 am

  Paying attention to what the mainstream reviewers focused on: 1) Its a CVT and youd only notice the tone/feel if you were waiting for a normal upshift during light acceleration. If you stomp on it, it GOES. If youre looking for the turbo lag, youll find it - but youll also hit 60 in 7 seconds. Theres just no downside to the normal needs of daily driving in this car. 2) "No volume knob". Yeah, you get used to the steering wheel controls. It was a non issue for me. I do compare it to our Ford Edge though. The Synch 3 has a multi-display (like radio and map at the same time) and the Hondas only shows one thing at a time. Both have advantages. 3) Lane Watch is better than looking backwards over your shoulder to your right side blind spot. Im afraid the new habit will kill me when driving another car. 4) Styling: Never mind the opinions. Handwashing all the nooks and crannies is a pain. The number of textured features is incredible when youre sponging out seasonal pollen. 5) Theres a lot of commentary about lack of lumbar support in the seats. Yup. Im used to Accord level leather seats and these civic ones sometimes give like an old recliner cushion. I have had no discomfort on my regular long commutes though. They also look great. 6) Handling: Sweet. When you start turning too hard/fast on a highway ramp, you can feel the dampeners take over and start subtracting G-force. It gives me the impression Im being seduced into going faster when perhaps the car should be telling me to behave. Ive gotten nothing but wild compliments and jealousy in this car. Its a lot of fun.

• 

  Former Acura TSX Owner - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Dan S - February 28 - 11:43 pm

  My beloved 6-speed manual transmission TSX was over nine years old and enough little things were going wrong with it that it was time for a new car. With a house to remodel and kids in extracurricular activities I couldnt afford a luxury (or even sorta-luxury) performance sedan. So I was looking for a practical, reliable commuter car with an automatic transmission I could hand off to my daughter in 5 years when its paid off and shes 16. Being a Honda/Toyota guy this made me think about a Civic. I got the EX-L since I could at least get a nicer Civic in my price range. I was expecting a major step down from my TSX, but this Civic (which I viewed as a necessity/compromise and wasnt really excited to purchase) has slowly been impressing me. In Eco mode its the gutless wonder you expect a Civic to be but if you really stomp on the gas or take it out of Eco mode or even put it in sport mode that combination of 1.5L turbo and CVT transmission make it go right now. The 6-speed stick shift was one of my favorite things about my TSX but this Civic always seems to be in the right gear and I dont notice any clunky downshifting or lag when I press the gas. Handling is good (Honda always does that better than Toyota IMO) but then of course that makes for a rougher ride. I drove on an old patch of the 57 and got shaken and stirred. Thats when you know youre in a Civic the most. The interior is pretty nice. Im 62" and I fit OK but to get the most out of the legroom I have to crank the back of the seat all the way down because it goes down and back at the same time. So I pretty much have to fall down into the seat. In the end I think Ill miss my TSXs drivers seat the most, especially its lumbar support. Sitting so low is made up for by the excellent rear-view camera and right-mirror camera. Im using Android Auto with the Civic and the Navi is GREAT, so dont shell out extra for Hondas navi. Google Play Music found my music and playlists on my phone with no work from me but it doesnt play my podcasts. It seems like its possible, but I havent figured it out yet (I used Rocket Player and Doggcatcher before but Android Auto wont "channel" them through the car). Speaking of music, Im iffy on the stereo system. The Civic has lots of speakers and very clear sound but not much oomph on the low end. Ive turned down the treble, turned up the bass and shifted the balance rearward but its still not as good as default settings were on my TSX. Interior storage cubbies are weird but plentiful. Theres room for your cups, phone, sunglasses, gum, etc. but it may be down a cave and around a corner and a little dangerous to try to get at while you are driving. Overall I like this car. It doesnt come with a lot of bragging rights (Im a 42-year old family man, though... In my twenties I probably would have been a LOT more proud of it) but my wife really likes having a fun-to-drive car back in the family for her (she doesnt drive stick and our other car is a minivan) and the best compliment I can give this Civic is that given its relative comfort (as long as my youngest can still fit behind me) and WAY better gas mileage than the minivan, it has become the weekend family commuter car, so long as were not going to Costco or Home Depot. I wasnt expecting that to happen. I thought the Civic would be too small and too dull to want to drive any more than necessary but it has turned out to be a great not-so-little family car and its getting lots of use. Two end notes: 1. Sorry this review has no paragraph breaks, the online form is not allowing me to hit enter. 2. Gas mileage includes driving over hills to work every day.

• 

  First car to ever exceed my expectations - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Mike - December 23 - 4:45 pm

  I have high expectations when I buy vehicles and usually they are met or over time I find short comings. Overall I cant fault anything in this car. I replaced a 06 BMW 325i and other than giving up a little handling, steering feel, braking and the feel of RWD and that amazing engine sound.... Ive gained enough to offset all that. Quieter, rides a lot better. Smoothest freeway and urban pavement ride of any car Ive been in. Better than our Audi Q5. Sweet engine, cvt is well behaved and tracks effortlessly on the highway. I commute 99 miles a day round trip, so almost 400 miles per week on average with weekend trips. Its the perfect car. Averaging around 38mpg during the first few days breaking it in going 70-80mph but accelerating and coasting a lot so not efficient operation. Phone integration could be better. Touring features are worth it and will hold resale better I think. ACC and Lane assist work very well. Stereo is very good. Better than the similar 10 speaker system in our Audi Q5. First car with LED headlights and they are awesome! Worth it if you are a highway commuter. I drive in the dark about 60% of the time during the year so it was a big deal.

• 

  First car to ever exceed my expectations - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Mike - December 23 - 4:45 pm

  I have high expectations when I buy vehicles and usually they are met or over time I find short comings. Overall I cant fault anything in this car. I replaced a 06 BMW 325i and other than giving up a little handling, steering feel, braking and the feel of RWD and that amazing engine sound.... Ive gained enough to offset all that. Quieter, rides a lot better. Smoothest freeway and urban pavement ride of any car Ive been in. Better than our Audi Q5. Sweet engine, cvt is well behaved and tracks effortlessly on the highway. I commute 99 miles a day round trip, so almost 400 miles per week on average with weekend trips. Its the perfect car. Averaging around 38mpg during the first few days breaking it in going 70-80mph but accelerating and coasting a lot so not efficient operation. Phone integration could be better. Touring features are worth it and will hold resale better I think. ACC and Lane assist work very well. Stereo is very good. Better than the similar 10 speaker system in our Audi Q5. First car with LED headlights and they are awesome! Worth it if you are a highway commuter. I drive in the dark about 60% of the time during the year so it was a big deal.

• 

  First car to ever exceed my expectations - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Mike - December 23 - 4:45 pm

  I have high expectations when I buy vehicles and usually they are met or over time I find short comings. Overall I cant fault anything in this car. I replaced a 06 BMW 325i and other than giving up a little handling, steering feel, braking and the feel of RWD and that amazing engine sound.... Ive gained enough to offset all that. Quieter, rides a lot better. Smoothest freeway and urban pavement ride of any car Ive been in. Better than our Audi Q5. Sweet engine, cvt is well behaved and tracks effortlessly on the highway. I commute 99 miles a day round trip, so almost 400 miles per week on average with weekend trips. Its the perfect car. Averaging around 38mpg during the first few days breaking it in going 70-80mph but accelerating and coasting a lot so not efficient operation. Phone integration could be better. Touring features are worth it and will hold resale better I think. ACC and Lane assist work very well. Stereo is very good. Better than the similar 10 speaker system in our Audi Q5. First car with LED headlights and they are awesome! Worth it if you are a highway commuter. I drive in the dark about 60% of the time during the year so it was a big deal.

• 

  The Right Car - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Mark herte - October 20 - 8:25 pm

  Ive owned many cars and this is not the best, most expensive, biggest, fastest, or sexiest, but it is the most "right". While Id say nothing about it is perfect, virtually everything is good to great. Truly exemplifies the whole being greater than the sum of the parts. The best features are the outstanding economy with surprising performance when you need/want it.

• 

  I love my Hatchback Sport Manual - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Mrcarlosvega - September 22 - 7:49 pm

  Very impressive car! I have had cars that triple the price and I am impressed! It feels quick, stable around corners. 90 mph on the highway is rock solid. It is really a Fun car! Years back I read something true. It is funner to drive a slow car fast, rather than a fast car slow. Only negative, the mirrors create a good amount or wind noise at speed. The plastic handles to close the trunk are really plastic and delicate.

• 

  I love my Hatchback Sport Manual - 2017 Honda Civic
  By Mrcarlosvega - September 22 - 7:49 pm

  Very impressive car! I have had cars that triple the price and I am impressed! It feels quick, stable around corners. 90 mph on the highway is rock solid. It is really a Fun car! Years back I read something true. It is funner to drive a slow car fast, rather than a fast car slow. Only negative, the mirrors create a good amount or wind noise at speed. The plastic handles to close the trunk are really plastic and delicate.