The Honda Civic has had a glow-up. 

The new facelift brings sharper styling, smarter interior trims and — whisper it — just a hint more class. But beneath that slick surface, it’s still the same clever, practical hybrid hatch that’s quietly been giving the Golf and Corolla sleepless nights.

And really, in a world of confusing trim names and twenty-engine lineups, Honda’s one-size-fits-all approach is a breath of fresh petrol-scented air.

🔋 One Engine. One Body. Three Trims. Job Done.

There’s just one engine on offer — a 2.0-litre self-charging hybrid that puts out a healthy 181bhp. It’s paired with a silky single-speed automatic gearbox that keeps things smooth and hushed around town.

It’ll glide silently on electric power for short bursts, then let the petrol motor chime in seamlessly when you need to press on. Honda’s hybrid system is clever stuff — more refined than the setup in the HR-V SUV, and far quieter when you put your foot down.

Fuel economy? You’re looking at up to 60.1mpg for the base Elegance model, dipping slightly to around 56.5mpg in the higher trims. Not bad at all, and it’ll still be cheaper to run than most mild-hybrid rivals.

💺 Comfort Meets Confidence

The Civic’s sweet spot is how easy it makes daily life. You sit low — sporty, almost coupe-like — but there’s loads of adjustment and decent visibility thanks to thin pillars and a low dash.

Ride comfort is excellent too. The 17in alloys on the base car soak up bumps better than a VW Golf or Toyota Corolla, while the Sport and Advance trims (with 18in wheels) still feel planted and composed. The trade-off? A bit of extra thrum from the road at motorway speeds — especially if you go for the panoramic roof on the Advance model.

It’s not quite as sharp in corners as a Ford Focus, but it grips hard and feels reassuringly tight, with nicely weighted steering. It’s proper Honda engineering through and through — solid, balanced, and surprisingly fun when the road gets twisty.

🧳 Space, Practicality & Everyday Ease

The Civic’s cabin hits a lovely sweet spot: neat, logical, and well-built without trying too hard. You get tactile knobs for the air con (thank you, Honda) instead of those silly touch panels that other brands love.

The boot is a generous 415 litres — enough for six carry-on cases. Go for the top-spec Advance and it dips slightly to 409 litres thanks to the beefier Bose stereo. Either way, it’s roomier than a Golf or Corolla, though still shy of the cavernous Skoda Octavia’s 600 litres.

Rear space is decent too, with excellent legroom and just-about-okay headroom for tall adults. Two six-footers will fit happily behind two more.

Up front, there’s loads of storage, proper-sized door bins, and a centre console that’ll swallow your phone, wallet, and a couple of coffees.

📱 Tech & Trims

All Civics come well kitted out. Even the Elegance (£34,495) brings:

• 17in alloys

• Heated front seats

• Dual-zone climate control

• Adaptive cruise control

• Parking sensors all round

• A 9in infotainment touchscreen with sat-nav

• Wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay

 

Step up to the Sport (£36,095) and you get:

• 18in alloys

• Synthetic leather/fabric trim

• Rear air vents

• Auto-dimming rear-view mirror

• Upgraded digital driver display

 

Go all-in for the Advance (£39,720) and Honda throws in:

• A panoramic glass roof

• Heated steering wheel

• Full synthetic leather seats

• Adaptive LED headlights

• A 12-speaker Bose sound system

Unless you really want the extra luxuries, Sport is the one to go for. It’s the best blend of comfort, kit and cost — and it looks just right.

🔧 Reliability & Safety

Honda’s reputation for reliability is rock-solid, and the Civic lives up to that billing. It scored a brilliant 4th place out of 31 manufacturers in the 2024 What Car? survey.

You get a three-year/90,000-mile warranty as standard (plus a five-year/90,000-mile hybrid warranty), which beats the average but not Toyota’s 10-year coverage.

Safety is another big win: 11 airbags, AEB, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, traffic sign recognition and even a pop-up bonnet for pedestrian protection. It scored five stars in Euro NCAP testing, comfortably outshining the Golf and Astra.

⚖️ Verdict – Calm, Clever, and Classy

The Honda Civic e:HEV doesn’t scream for attention — it just quietly gets everything right. It’s efficient, solidly built, and satisfying to drive.

Yes, a Corolla might be quieter and an Octavia roomier, but the Civic’s combination of reliability, refinement, and style makes it one of the smartest family cars you can buy right now.

Our pick? The mid-spec Sport trim — all the kit you want, none of the fluff.

 

Honda Civic e:HEV UK Pricing (2025)

💷 Elegance: from £34,495 OTR

💷 Sport: from £36,095 OTR

💷 Advance: from £39,720 OTR

 

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