2019 Honda Civic

As always, there are plenty of engine options to choose from, starting with an economical 2.0 L engine to a 300 hp turbocharged unit on the Type-R model. Honda has also finally addressed the infotainment issue and includes a volume knob with the new Civic. Consistently selling more than 300,000 units every year, the Civic is undoubtedly one of the best compact cars on the market which goes against popular compact cars like the Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Elantra, and Kia Forte. 

The 2019 Civic sedan is available in five trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, EX-L, and Touring. The base price of the LX trim is $20,350, while the top-ranking Touring trim will cost you $27,400. Starting with the base LX trim, the Civic is well equipped with features like automatic climate control, a rearview camera, 16-inch wheels, and a 5-inch LCD infotainment system. Next in line is the new Sport model, which, as the name suggests, improves handling and includes some unique design elements along with standard features like 18-inch alloys, keyless entry, and an upgraded 7-inch infotainment system with all the modern features.

The EX and Touring models add a touch of luxury with features like a powered sunroof, heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable seats, navigation, an upgraded 10-speaker sound system, and a lot more. All the trims are available with the standard 2.0L naturally aspirated engine which is married to a CVT. It churns out 158 hp but an optional turbo engine for more power is also given.

Which Trim should you buy?

Out of all the trim levels, the newly introduced Sport model offers the best value, costing just $1,700 over the base model. Notable features include 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded handling, automatic climate control, a capable 7-inch infotainment system, keyless entry, and a lot more. Unfortunately, the sedan model doesn’t get the capable 1.5l turbocharged engine found in the hatchback model even in the Sport trim. 

The Honda Civic continues to be available with two engine options, including an efficient 2.0 L engine producing 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque and a turbocharged 1.5L unit producing a modest 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. While Honda offers both a 6-speed manual transmission and a CVT, the sedan model cannot be bought with a combination of the 1.5L turbocharged engine and manual transmission like the hatchback.

No matter which engine you choose, the Civic is fun to drive, but as expected, the 1.5L turbocharged unit takes the cake with better drivability and an addictive surge when the boost kicks in. Honda’s CVT transmission is also the best in the market with a good response. The Civic sprints from 0 to 60 MPH in 8.2 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile in 16.4 seconds with the standard engine. Upgrading to the turbocharged unit cut the times by more than a second. 

The 2019 Civic has the highest power figures in the competition despite sharing the same configuration with Forte and Elantra. Both of these sedans have the same engine output, but Forte is 0.8 seconds faster than the Elantra. At the bottom of the pit lies the Corolla which has the smallest engine in the competition and is the slowest in terms of acceleration. 

How well does the Honda Civic handle?

With the latest generation model, Honda has managed to perfectly blend handling and comfort, making the Civic one of the most fun to drive cars in its segment. The Civic rides surprisingly well over bad patches while still remaining composed through the corners. The steering is also very responsive, and the body roll is under the limit. 

The CVT is smoother and does not make as much noise as the manual transmission and also gives better fuel economy. The cabin is well insulated, so road noises won’t bother you that much. The new Sport model further improves handling with a stiffer suspension setup and quicker steering. That said, the 2019 Civic is only available in a front-wheel-drive configuration. 

Braking Performance

Honda has equipped the Civic with the biggest brakes in the segment. With 11.2-inch rotors at the front and 10.2-inches at the rear, the brake pedal is firm, but as compared to the rivals, the braking performance is not impressive. It still has better than average stopping power, although the concrete 60-0 mph figure is not available for comparison. 

Both Elantra and Forte have the same braking distance, but the first one has the smallest rear brake rotors in the competition. The lightest of all is the Civic, while Corolla appears to be having a lot of fat despite its sleek appearance. Since the Corolla has the most weight along with the smallest front rotors, we can expect it not to perform better than Honda in the department.

Whichever engine you choose, the Civic offers impressive efficiency figures. The more powerful 1.5L turbocharged engine offers better economy figures than the base 2.0L unit, returning 32 MPG in the city and 42 MPG on the highway, compared to 30 MPG and 38 MPG of the base engine. The efficient engine options give the Civic an impressive highway range of 520 miles despite the small 12.4-gallon fuel tank. If you select the manual transmission with the standard engine, the Civic will return 25/36/29 mpg in city/highway/combined respectively.

The Civic’s impressive economy figures far surpass its rivals, especially with the powerful 1.5L unit. However, from the above table against the naturally aspirated 2.0L engine, Forte is sitting in first place as the most fuel-efficient car with the biggest fuel tank. Elantra has the same fuel economy figure as the Civic except the city, but with a bigger fuel tank, it offers a better range. That said, the least fuel-efficient in the group is the Corolla.

For 2019, the Civic receives several interior updates, including larger, more usable cup holders, a redesigned steering wheel, and improved insulation levels. The rest of the interior is carried over with minimal changes. The Civic continues to get a driver-centric design with a modern dashboard design. Just like other cars from Honda, the Civic gets plenty of interior space. The infotainment and climate controls are uniquely placed in the middle with a dual-layered center console that hides USB and other connections under the gear lever. The Civic gets an electronic parking brake with the new generation, which has liberated plenty of space in the center console. The quality of materials is good for the price, especially on the top half of the dashboard, and the Civic feels built to last. 

Unlike most of its rivals, the rear row can seat three adults in comfort with plenty of headroom and legroom on offer. Even the base model is very well equipped, while the higher trims get features like heated front and rear seats, power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a lot more. The standard features available on the base trim are automatic climate control, manual tilt, and telescopic steering wheel, cloth seats, multi-angle rearview parking camera, Full Cloth Headliner, Day-Night Rearview Mirror, 6-way manual driver seat adjustment, and 4-way manual passenger seat adjustment. The rear row has 40/60 split-folding seats.

With a spacious interior and best-in-class cargo space, the Honda Civic continues to hold the crown, followed by the Toyota Corolla which has the biggest legroom. Both the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Forte are slightly cramped in comparison. That said, the Corolla has the smallest trunk of all, while the biggest one is possessed by the Forte. Standout interior features are:

• Cloth upholstery and headliner
• Manual tilt and telescopic steering column
• Cargo area lights
• Keyless entry and start
• Dual-zone climate control (available)
• Heated front and rear seats (available)
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Leather-wrapped heated steering wheel (available)

What’s there to keep you entertained?

Honda has finally added hardware buttons and a volume knob for easy access. The system is smooth and easy to use, although it feels pale in comparison to the modern infotainment system found in some competitors. The infotainment system remains the same, with the base trim getting a basic 5-inch system with the 4-speaker audio system. Other standard features on the base trim include Bluetooth, a radio data system, and a USB port. The higher trims get a bigger 7-inch touchscreen display with modern features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, navigation, satellite radio, and a premium 10-speaker audio system. Major infotainment features include:

• 5-inch LCD screen 
• 4-speaker audio system
• Speed-sensitive volume compensation
• 7-inch touchscreen (available)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (available)
• Premium 10-speaker audio system (available)
• SiriusXM (available)
• Built-in navigation (available)

The Honda Civic has always been a handsome sedan, and the 2019 model improves on that front with a revised front end that looks modern and contemporary. While the overall design may look overdone from different angles, especially from the rear, overall, Honda has done a great job with the Civic. The gloss black front grille on the new Sport model suits the car well along with several other improvements like bigger 18-inch alloy wheels and gloss black accents. 

The flared wheel arches and chiseled bonnet look good and help the Civic stand out among a sea of boring and dreary cars. 16-inch wheels are standard on the base trim. Other standard features include automatic high-beam headlights, power outside mirrors with manual-folding, rear window defroster, and push-to-release fuel filler door.

There is no marginal difference in the exterior dimensions of the Civic and rivals, but if we inspect closely, the Corolla is the biggest and heaviest in the bunch, followed by the Forte. Both the Honda Civic and Hyundai Elantra are slightly more compact in comparison, especially with regards to length. The 2019 Corolla, with the highest ground clearance, will be an ideal partner on the bumpy roads, while Elantra and Forte with just 5.3 inches of ground clearance will face some difficulty on uneven terrains. Standout exterior features are:

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• 17-inch alloy wheels (available)
• 18-inch alloy wheels (available)
• Fog lights (available)
• Automatic projector-beam halogen headlights
• Gloss black front grille and exterior accents
• LED headlights (available)
• One-touch power moonroof with tilt feature (available)

Like all Honda models, the Civic employs a rigid platform that uses its ACE body structure to improve safety and protect the passengers. Honda has gone all out for 2019 in terms of safety by offering a lot more driver assistance tech as standard. As expected, the Civic scored 5-stars in overall safety ratings given by the NHTSA. It also secured a “Good” overall rating in the IIHS safety tests but missed out on the “Top Safety Pick” award achieved by some of its rivals. 

While even the base model is very well equipped, the higher trims also get the Honda LaneWatch system which uses a camera to show blind-spot information. With Honda Sensing, the Civic gets a plethora of standard safety features like adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keeps assist, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and a lot more. Some standard active safety features include:

• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• Road departure mitigation
• Automatic high-beam headlights

Honda Civic vs Toyota Corolla

Compared to the Corolla, the Honda Civic loses out in terms of interior features, improved back seat passenger space, and a better infotainment system. The Corolla is also priced cheaper, making it more affordable than the Civic. However, as a package, the Civic is vastly superior with handsome looks, plenty of advanced technology including Honda Sensing, a sorted chassis, and two excellent engine options compared to the Corolla’s lethargic 1.8L unit. 

Honda Civic vs Hyundai Elantra

In terms of affordability, the Elantra has a base price that is over $2,000 cheaper than the Honda Civic. Although the Elantra may be more affordable, the Civic beats it in most other areas by offering better engine options, a higher-quality cabin with more space, better performance and efficiency, and better handling. In terms of safety, the Elantra has earned a ‘Top Safety Pick’ award from the IIHS which gives it an edge over Civic.

Honda Civic vs Kia Forte

The 2019 Kia Forte provides better fuel efficiency, slightly more spacious cargo space, and is equally fast as far as acceleration is concerned, despite having lower power figures. It also has 1.8 cu-ft less interior space as compared to the Civic. However, with best-in-class safety ratings, Forte scores better in the final report card while being in the same price range as the Civic.

A direct answer would be yes! From great driving capabilities to ample safety features and from good fuel economy to excellent chassis and competent drivetrains, the 2019 Civic is a really fun-to-drive car. Whether it be a normal office commute or long road vacation trips, the 2019 Honda Civic will not let you down. That said, if you want a sedan that is slightly better compared to what’s offered on the 2019 Honda Civic, you can also go with the best alternative called Kia Forte. However, with its own unique features and styling, the Civic is a great deal to bring home.