The Honda Civic is one of the most recognizable vehicles on the market. Having been around for 5 decades, this car has solidified its spot in the automotive industry. In this article we’ll show you what to know about reliability and pricing before buying a used Honda Civic.
Key takeaways
- What is the right Civic for you if you want to take on the track? Then there’s two trims to look out for. The eighth gen Civic Si 4-door, and the eleventh gen Type R.
- If you’re not wanting cheaper material, then stay away from the early ninth gen models.
- If you’re more of a fan of the hatchback, then you’ll have to for a tenth generation model.
Since there’s so many generations of Civic to look from, we’ll start with the more recent ones that you’re more likely to find when looking for a used one.
Seventh generation (2000-2004)
This year’s Civic came with some new features, and even came with slightly more interior room. This year also saw the suspension get changed to make more room for the new engine that was added. The trim that you get will determine how much power the car can output. The trims you can look for in this generation are the DX, LX, EX, and HX. This generation also saw a coupe and a sedan for the North American market.
Eighth generation (2005-2010)
This generation introduced an improved, sportier version of the Civic Si 4-door. This trim was tuned by Mugen and featured cosmetic alterations and changes to the suspension, wheels, slight exterior differences, and exhaust system.
Ninth generation (2011-2014)
When this generation’s civic was introduced, it was at the height of the financial crisis in the US. This led Honda to believe that consumers might be more inclined to not look for more luxurious options, but instead opting for a reliable vehicle. Ultimately, Honda “came under heavy fire” for this decision according to CarBuzz, which led Honda to give more love to the interior. In 2013, Honda decided that it was no longer needed and went back to having better materials for the interior, and exterior parts of the vehicle.
This generation introduced a hybrid version of the Civic. It was equipped with a larger 1.5-liter i-VTEC engine that produces 90 hp and 97 lb ft of torque. It came with a lithium-ion battery that is rated at 44 combined mpg.
Tenth generation (2015-2021)
In the gens before, the North American market had its own design for the Civic, but as sales started to decline, Honda aimed at bringing it back. The tenth gen was pretty big for the North American market as it saw the reintroduction of the hatchback version that had been missing since 2000. For the first time, the Type R also came to North America. The Type R gave the Civic a sportier feel thanks to the lightened and stiffened suspension that is “surprisingly comfortable” and “sticks to the road like Velcro” according to Car and Driver during the Type R’s debut.
Honda also made an effort to make the driver’s life a bit easier. For this to happen, they added an optional Driver Information Interface. This added a 7-inch screen directly behind the wheel and in the driver’s line of sight. If you prefer analog, you can still find that too this generation.
Eleventh generation (2022-present)
This is the most up to date Civic, having only been around for a few years, but it suffers from sales. Being that certain configurations weren’t doing well; the coupe was discontinued. Not much else was changed for this generation, but there’s still time to change that.
If you’re wanting a Honda Civic of your own, then come see us here at Jarrett. We’ll be able to show you our inventory, and help you find your dream car.