The 2020 Honda Civic is one cool cat – and like with all Hondas and fine wine – it will get better as it advances in age on the car bazaar. Introduced in 1972, the Civic has worn different avatars, beginning as a subcompact but shifting to the compact category 2000 onwards. One of Honda’s best-selling cars, the Civic is sold globally, falling between the City and the Accord.
It has also served as a platform for many other Honda cars including the Prelude, the CR-X, Concerto and the Integra (also the Acura Integra). Rebadged variants on the Civic platform include the Rover 200 and 400 as well as the Isuzu Gemini. This is a car meant to last. So what’s new with the Honda Civic 2020? Let’s find out and see if Japan’s little gem is still meant to sell well in the US, and across the world.
15 The 2020 Honda Civic Is In Its 10th Generation
The 2020 Honda Civic may be redesigned and have some great new elements but it is still the tenth generation. The tenth-generation Honda Civic was introduced in 2015 for the 2016 model, and it continues in 2020 as well. Honda’s all-new global platform seems to be doing well for the Civic, so why change it if it isn’t broken?
14 Not Everything Is New
The regular Civic sedan coupe and hatchback remain pretty much the same as the 2019 model since they were upgraded then. The Civic Si sedan and coupe do have some visual changes in the form of red accents in the interiors and all-new matte black wheels. The drive ratio is shorter as well, for better acceleration, and if you think the sound of the engine is better, that’s because it has been made better.
13 The Engine Specs Are On Par
For the Civic coupe and sedan, the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four power mill manages 158 horses and 138 ft-lb torque. Paired with a six-speed manual or a CVT, the Civic runs fine, if not excitingly. The Civic Si gets a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine and makes 205 horses and 192 ft-lb torque. And then there is the 306-horsepower Honda Civic Type R.
12 Fuel Efficiency Is Average
The normal 2.0-liter Civics give 29mpg on manual while ranging from 32-33mph for the Sport or LX CVTs. The Civic Si is far better with the sedan managing a smooth 36mpg, the coupe at 35mpg and the hatchback at 34mpg. Also, all manual models feature lower fuel efficiency, with automatic transmission proving to be more fuel-efficient.
11 The Manual Transmission Is Back
Unlike the industry trend with everyone eschewing manual transmissions in favor of automatics, the Honda Civic is a boon for stick-shift-happy drivers. The manual transmission may not be as quick or even as fuel-efficient as the automatic CVTs of the Civic, but for many people, driving ain't driving unless it's manual.
10 Doesn’t Hurt The Wallet, Much
The 2020 Honda Civic has upped its prices a tad with the base sedan costing $200 more than the 2019 model, now at $20,680. Other models have also upped the same $200, making it a small price hike that doesn’t pinch the pocket all that much. The destination fee of $930 remains the same for all models as well.
9 Decent Seats, If Not Plush
We wouldn’t say that the Honda Civic boasts the most comfortable seats around, but they make do. The dashboard is low so it gives a very spacious vibe to the car. Also, the Civic looks expensive with no cheap interior materials used. The seats are flat but with enough cushioning to make it a comfortable ride, if not a plush one.
8 The Best In Tech
You cannot buy a Japanese-origin car and not have all the technology for your dollar in it. Low-trim models have a basic infotainment system with traditional buttons, but the high-trim models have a 7-inch touchscreen with physical buttons for style. The user interface is okay, and this time, it comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
7 Standard Safety Features
The 2020 Honda Civic comes with all the safety bells and whistles – forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist et al. Automatic emergency braking, as well as automatic high-beams, are additional features. Honda’s blind-spot monitoring may need improvements since the LaneWatch hasn’t been a hit with users. Honda is planning to shift to conventional blind-spot monitoring though.
6 Best Safety Ratings
The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) gave the 2019 Honda Civic sedan and coupe the best ratings in every crash test – a “good” rating for every parameter. Only the headlight performance was judged poor in models with projector and LED lights. Hopefully, the 2020 Honda Civic will have mended its ways.
5 One Of The Larger Compacts
What works for the Honda Civic is its size – it falls in the larger spectrum of compact cars. There are larger/longer sedans than the Civic, but the difference lies in low numbers. Since it’s a lighter car, it is also faster than the competition. Plus, it also boasts better passenger and cargo spaces than its rivals.
4 The Driving Experience of the 2020 Honda Civic
With new adaptive suspension as part of the tenth-generation upgrade, the Civic makes for a smooth and comfortable ride. It's nimble and accelerates well, plus takes the corners with barely a body roll. The steering is responsive in all models but if you want the best, you would have to opt for the Civic Si or the Type R. Really, there’s nothing better than these.
3 The Warranty Leaves Much To Be Desired
Honda doesn’t seem to be giving the best warranties around – either the car is too good, or it is selling above the competition. There is no complimentary scheduled maintenance and the limited warranty stands only for three years/36,000 miles. The powertrain warranty is at five years/60,000 miles.
2 Excellent Comfort, Great Quality
There was a time when the Honda Civic was equated with cheap interiors. That is not the case anymore. Today, the sedans are comfortable and luxurious rides and top their compact class segment. The backseat legroom is adequate and seats are comfortable. Leather or fabric, the seats look good, depending on the trim you bought.
1 Made In Select Locations
While Honda Civics are assembled in many parts of the world using CKD kits (completely knocked down), they are made in select places only. The hatchbacks are built in the United Kingdom while the Si coupes and sedans are made in Canada. The regular sedan is made in Greensburg, Indiana as well as in Canada. The engines and the transmissions are assembled in Ohio.