The Honda Civic is one of the greatest success stories in the automotive world, thanks to the near-unparalleled amount of success it has seen in the mass market. Over the years, the humble Civic has forged a reputation as an extremely reliable and economical car to run, not to mention affordable to buy and maintain.

Updated June 2023: Currently in its 11th generation, the legendary Civic moniker has been around since 1972. Over the years, it has evolved to match the rising standards of the competition, and while most Civics boast formidable reputations, a few haven’t enjoyed such fame. This updated list highlights the best Honda Civic model years to buy and the ones to avoid.

Let’s not forget the excellent driving dynamics of the ‘Type R’ models, which are more than capable of keeping up with the best hot hatchbacks out there. But Type R variants can be expensive, which has led to many young owners fitting aftermarket body kits, massive wings, and loud exhausts on their cars. This has led to some people coining the Civic as a "ricer," also known as "race-inspired cosmetic enhancements."

Ricers have, unintentionally, caused society to develop divided opinions on the Civic as a result, but regardless of where you stand on that side of the fence, you simply cannot deny that the Civic is an excellent option for younger drivers as a used or new car. In this list, we explore five of the very best model years that young and old drivers alike should purchase and mirror each with five examples that are absolutely garbage. Here’s what we found:

Note: Using data and statistics supplied by leading car comparison databases like Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, HotCars has assembled the most accurate list for readers.

5 Best: 1991-1995 Honda Civic (Fifth-Generation)

Reasons To Buy: Stable value; plenty of options to upgrade it with; hails from the golden age of JDM

There’s no getting around the fact that the fifth-generation Civic – and the Honda Civic Del Sol spin-off it inspired – continue to be extremely sought-after by enthusiasts. They are available in several peppy VTEC engines and were produced from 1991 to 1995. Upon introduction into the market, it won Japan's 'Car of the Year' award for the second time. It's almost certain that a car this old will come with some issues, however, looking at how important this fifth generation of the Civic was for Honda, how can we not include it on the list of the best Civics?

With a less boxy design than its predecessors and being more powerful than ever, this specific generation was famous for being lightweight, agile, and affordable. The hatchback trim specifically makes sense for additional space while also becoming known as one of the best hot hatchbacks ever made for spirited driving.

Pros:

1. Very fuel efficient
2. Hold their value well since it comes from the JDM golden era
3. Maintenance is cheap

Cons:

1. Old model so the lack of modern features will get tiresome
2. Poor cabin space, particularly for rear-seat passengers
3. Rust is an infamous problem for Civics that come from this era

4 Best: 1996-2000 Honda Civic (Sixth-Generation)

Reasons To Buy: Sought-after generation; holds its value well; fun and responsive to drive

All things considered, this generation of Civic may be the greatest of the lot. Not only are all the versions available for purchase worthwhile choices, but the aftermarket support is huge. Just check out these ten cheap Honda Civic mods every owner needs, to get a better understanding of just why the ‘ricer’ term came to be.

This generation of the Civic is notorious for many reasons but particularly reputable for one main one: this is the model that paved the way for the Civic to become an affordable, reliable, and surprisingly fun car. Sure, teenagers looking for a car to modify and drive recklessly on the road have given this model a reputation for being loud and comically over-the-top. But it's lightweight, cheap to repair, and engaging to drive, so are you really surprised? It’s a fantastic car, regardless of what critics may believe.

Pros:

1. Very durable
2. Brilliant performance across all trim grades
3. A lot of aftermarket tunability potential

Cons:

1. Type R versions are extremely expensive
2. The cabin is very outdated now
3. The resale value of entry-level versions almost certainly will drop after purchase

Related: A New Honda S2000 Is Closer Than You Might Think

3 Best: 2010-2012 Honda Civic (Eighth-Generation)

Reasons To Buy: Strong as nails; higher trim levels are superb all-round; maintenance will be affordable even when driven hard

The eighth-generation Civic was a complete game-changer when it was first released. What we like about the eight-generation Honda Civic Si is an excellent combination of safety, reliability, technology, and quality. Despite being well over a decade old now, it continues to look and feel fairly modern. Therefore, the eighth generation represents a great option on the used market for those looking for a commuter car.

There are a wide variety of trims, but the Si version, in particular, is a phenomenal option. As we discussed earlier, a manual transmission is the way to go when purchasing a Civic, and the Si trim offers a limited-slip differential, a 197 hp engine, and a plethora of other sporty upgrades. Keep in mind that most owners make full use of these cars, so always look the vehicle over carefully before purchasing.

Pros:

1. Exceptional build quality
2. Safety ratings are one of the best-in-class
3. Versatile all-round option

Cons:

1. Paint and coat issues have been reported previously
2. Outdated infotainment system
3. Fuel economy drops massively when driven hard

2 Best: 2012-2015 Honda Civic (Ninth-Generation)

Reasons To Buy: Strong fuel economy; interior is commendable for the price; still relatively fresh all round

There are many Civics out there, so it's sometimes difficult for those who aren’t knowledgeable about cars to know which are the most reliable Honda Civic generations to buy. The ninth-generation Civic is largely overlooked and doesn't deserve to be; it has an excellent balance of technology, performance, and practicality. It may seem very similar to the previous generation, but Honda worked out most of the kinks, making it a much better option.

The Si trim specifically has some benefits, such as a more powerful engine than the predecessor, a reworked spoiler, and different sway bars. We've said it before, and we'll say it again, the best Civic of any trim is one with a manual transmission, and the Si trim is ideal on that front. The coupe also looks slightly more attractive than the sedan variant.

Pros:

1. Class-leading fuel economy
2. Interior tech is still amicably useable these days
3. Plenty of features in even the most basic trim levels

Cons:

1. Handling dynamics not quite as good as predecessors
2. The exterior is just as divisive as the previous model
3. Interior materials can wear excessively in high-mileage models

1 Best: 2017-2020 Honda Civic (10th-Generation)

Reasons To Buy: Extensive option list; very reliable; engaging to drive

Many people believe that modern vehicles are the best option to purchase. It's tough to justify money lost to depreciation from a financial perspective, but having all the latest technology, safety features, and performance updates certainly is an appealing prospect.

The Type R trim specifically is a famous hot hatch choice. It has such aggressive, and some might even say over-the-top styling, with awe-inspiring performance. The 2023 Honda Civic Type R was designed specifically for this purpose and uses traits from the 2020 model – which is an already fabulous car. Honda has really returned to form with the Civic, and the 2017-2020 generation is the model that could just come to define the new era for the famous badge.

Pros:

1. Safety features are very good for even the entry-level models
2. Has a bias towards sportiness
3. The Interior is spacious, comfortable, and well designed

Cons:

1. Inconsistent build quality has been reported
2. The infotainment unit has been known to lag
3. The low cabin makes it difficult for taller passengers to easily maneuver