Are Honda Civics Reliable?

Everybody loves the Honda Civic. It provides excellent fuel economy, a comfortable ride, and superb handling. It seems that it has everything you need in a car. But are Honda Civics reliable?

The reliability rating of the Honda Civic is 4.5 out of 5.0, based on data released by RepairPal. This puts the Civic in the 3rd spot out of the 36 compact cars tested. It also has a reliability score of 82 out of 100, based on the data released by J.D. Power.

The frequency and severity of repairs involving this car are lower than other car brands. It has been tried and tested; the Honda Civic is one of the most reliable vehicles in the world.

Read on to learn more about how reliable Honda Civics is, including its pros and cons.

Are Honda Civics Reliable?

are honda civics reliable

Based on the data released by RepairPal, the Honda Civic has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0. This puts the Civic in the 3rd spot out of the 36 compact cars tested. At the same time, the data released by J.D. Power states that its reliability score is 82 out of 100.

Compared with other car brands, the frequency and severity of repairs involving this car are lower. It has been tried and tested. The Honda Civic is one of the most reliable vehicles in the world.

Pros of Owning a Honda Civic

So, how reliable are Honda Civics? Let’s look at some of the pros of owning one to know how reliable it is.

Here are some of the pros of owning a Honda Civic:

  1. Stylish Look
  2. Comfort
  3. Ideal Car Size
  4. Adjustable Rear Seatback
  5. Entertainment System
  6. Efficiency and Eco-Friendliness
  7. Adaptive Cruise Control
  8. Safety Package
  9. Different Engines to Choose From
  10. Advanced Technology

Let’s discuss each of these:

1. Stylish Look

The Honda Civic has always been popular for having that distinct, appealing look. It has a compact, aerodynamic body, and all its curves and angles have been studied carefully and extensively. It doesn’t surprise that this vehicle always attracts buyers of different ages.

2. Comfort

Ample Space

Cabin comfort is one of the important things that drivers and passengers look for in a car. Impressively, the front and back seats of the Honda Civic all have ample space. The front legroom measures 42.3 inches, while its back legroom measures 37.4 inches.

Cabin Features

Honda has incorporated excellent cabin features such as power-adjustable and heated seats. The Honda Civic EX-L and Touring trim models even come with leather seats.

The standard cabin features include an automatic climate system. As for the higher trim models, this feature is upgraded to the dual-zone temperature control system.

3. Ideal Car Size

Sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are indeed in demand nowadays. But some people still prefer smaller vehicles. In this category, the Honda Civic is always a sure winner.

Ideal for People Living in Urban Areas

Its height is below 56 inches, and its wheelbase is a little over 106 inches. It’s not too small and not too big, making it a perfect car size.

The Honda Car is ideal for people living in urban areas with tight parking spaces. But this car is not that small too, as it is also ideal for long road trips.

4. Adjustable Rear Seatback

Foldable Rear Seatback

Not all compact sedans have a rear seatback that you can fold down. So, this makes Honda Civic a winner in this area.

Option to Get a 60/40 Rear Seatback

You have the option to get a model that comes with a 60/40 rear seatback. This way, you can conveniently load up bulky stuff when you need to.

5. Entertainment System

HD Radio and SiriusXM

The HD Radio and SiriusXM are standard features in most Honda Civic trims. These features are capable of including high-quality radio channels.

Bluetooth and Android Auto or the Apple CarPlay Features

All trim models have Bluetooth feature. At the same time, most trim models have the Android Auto or the Apple CarPlay feature.

Sound System

The Honda Civic only has a basic sound system as its standard feature. But the EX, EX-L, and Sport trim models feature 8-speaker sound systems.

As for the Honda Civic Touring, the sound system features a 450-watt audio system with ten speakers. Not only that, it has a subwoofer that adjusts the low notes.

6. Efficiency and Eco-Friendliness

The Honda Civic is a winner when it comes to fuel economy. I can guarantee that this Honda car is reliable because it can run up to 42 miles with a gallon of gas. It can roughly run up to 32 miles per gallon when city driving.

It doesn’t come as a surprise anymore that it even gets compared with the fuel efficiency of the hybrid ones.

7. Adaptive Cruise Control

Allows You to Set and Maintain a Speed

The adaptive cruise control feature lets you set and maintain a speed similar to a traditional cruise control system. Also, if the car in front of you reduces its speed, your Honda Civic will automatically reduce its speed too.

Helpful If There Is Heavy Traffic

This is particularly helpful if there is heavy traffic. As the driver, you can prevent experiencing fatigue, especially during long trips.

This feature forms part of the Honda Sensing Suite.

8. Safety Package

Mitigations and Monitoring Systems

The Honda Sensing Suite includes the safety package available in all the Honda Civic trim models. This technology features mitigations and monitoring systems that assist drivers and help prevent road accidents.

Automatic Brakes

An example of this is if your Honda Civic is approaching another car quickly. If you fail to hit it on time, it will automatically hit the brakes.

Steers Back the Wheel

Another example is if you are drifting out of your lane. Your car will alert you, especially if you do not use your turn signal. In which case, it will automatically, but gently, steer back the wheel if necessary.

9. Different Engines to Choose From

The Honda Civic comes in different variants. This means that the Honda Civic also comes in different types of engines:

  • Sport and LX trim models: Feature the in-line 4-cylinder engines. They are 2.0-liter engines featuring 150 horsepower and 140 lb-ft of torque.
  • Honda Civic Touring, EX, and EX-L models: Feature turbocharged engines. Their engines feature the qualities of the standard engine. However, their displacement is 1.5 liters.

The turbocharger provides more power, which further increases the horsepower to 174. It also has higher torque at 162 lb-ft.

10. Advanced Technology

Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror

The Honda Civic features advanced technology too. It features an automatic dimming rearview mirror. This means that when bright lights reflect into the mirror, it will automatically adjust, and driving will not be affected.

HomeLink Remote Feature

Another advanced technology is the HomeLink remote feature. With this, you can open your garage door using a remote control. You can control your security systems and lighting systems too.

Navigation Program

The Navigation program comes as a standard feature of the Honda Civic Touring variant. It also consists of voice recognition and the Honda High Definition Digital Traffic programs. This is particularly helpful if you’re trying to locate new destinations.

Indeed, the reliability of the Honda Civic goes beyond its durable engines and high-quality parts. Its additional features bring convenience and allow you to have the ultimate driving experience.

Again, are Honda Civics reliable? The Honda Civics is one of the best compact cars available in the market. Plus, according to RepairPal, it has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, placing it in the 3rd spot out of 36 compact cars. J.D. Power also gave it a reliability score of 82/100.

Most Noticeable Problems of the 10th Gen Honda Civic

Cons of Owning a Honda Civic

are new honda civics reliable

Honda received many complaints involving the Honda Civic between 2001 and 2008. Those complaints could have weakened the reliability of Honda.

But thankfully, the car manufacturer immediately addressed the complaints. So far, there haven’t been any significant issues reported since then. Suffice it to say that the excellent reputation of Honda in terms of reliability is still strong.

Honda Civic owners usually experience the following issues:

  1. Engine Issues
  2. Airbag Issues
  3. Interior Issues

Let’s briefly discuss this:

1. Engine Issues

Cracked Engine Blocks

There were complaints about the 2006 Honda Civic having cracked engine blocks. This car issue could lead to overheating and complete engine failure. Honda received many complaints of this kind. It prompted them to extend the warranty for the engine block for a maximum of 10 years.

Bad Engine Mounts

Another engine issue that was reported to Honda involved bad engine mounts. It caused the units to experience intense vibration in the steering wheel.

2. Airbag Issues

Faulty Occupant Position Sensor

There were reported issues concerning the airbags of the Honda Civic. The light would all of a sudden turn on and off intermittently. Honda later on figured out that the cause of the problem was a faulty occupant position sensor.

Presence of Sharp Metal Pieces

If you are familiar with the Takata airbag recall, Honda was one of the many car manufacturers affected by it. This issue involved airbags which, when deployed, included sharp metal pieces. There were reports of fatalities related to this issue.

3. Interior Issues

Interior issues may not be as dangerous as other car issues. But still, it provides an uncomfortable and unsatisfactory feeling.

Some of the reported issues include:

  • Deteriorated sun visors,
  • Peeling interior trims,
  • Door panels that would easily fall off, and
  • Damaged power window switches.

Honda Civic Years to Avoid

Frequently Asked Questions – Reliability of Honda Civics

are honda civics still reliable

Here are some frequently asked questions that will help you know more about Honda Civics:

Are Honda Civics Reliable?

The reliability rating of the Honda Civic, according to RepairPal, is 4.5 out of 5.0. This puts the Honda Civic at the 3rd spot out of the 36 cars tested under the compact car category. It has excellent ownership costs with $368 as its average annual repair cost.

How Long Will a Honda Civic Last?

If you know how to take good care of your Honda Civic, it will most likely last for 20 years or 300,000 miles. However, there are reports that it can even last beyond 20 years. This strengthens the fact that the Honda Civic is indeed one reliable sedan.

Is the Honda Civic Good for Long Drive?

Honda Civic is a reliable Honda car for long drives. It provides smooth handling and ride. At the same time, it provides great gas mileage.

Do Hondas Run Forever?

Honda cars may not run forever, but they will surely run for at least two decades without significant issues. That is if you know how to take proper care of your unit. If it is well taken care of, it can even last for three decades!

However, the Honda Civic can run up to 200,000 miles on average.

Conclusion – Are Honda Civics Reliable?

According to the data released by RepairPal, the Honda Civic has a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5.0. This places the Civic on the 3rd spot out of the 36 compact cars tested. At the same time, the data released by J.D. Power states that its reliability score is 82 out of 100.

Compared with other car brands, the frequency and severity of Honda Civic repairs are lower. This has long been consistently tried and tested. The Honda Civic is one of the most reliable vehicles in the world.

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How Long Do Honda Civics Last?