2023 Honda Civic Hatchback review // Still a good buy?

This is a Motormouth couple car review of the 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback compact car.
There are two powertrain options for the Honda Civic Hatchback , the base model a 2L 4-cylinder matched to a CVT with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-feet of torque. All other trims, a 1.5L turbocharged 4-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, FWD only.
A 6-speed manual transmission is available on the base model and the top Sport Touring trim. It will cost you an extra $100 for the base model, but no extra charge on the top trim.
Standard features on the Honda Civic Hatchback include, a 7” driver display and touchscreen, wired Apple Carplay and Android Auto, an 8-speaker audio system, manual front seats, cloth upholstery and heated front seats. In the US, heated front seats are not standard.
We are driving the top Sport Touring model of the Honda Civic Hatchback with additional features like the larger 9” touchscreen, wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto, a 10.2” digital driver display, wireless charger, heated steering wheel, power front seats, leather trimmed upholstery, moonroof, heated rear seats and the Bose sound system.
In the US, a heated steering wheel and heated rear seats are not available.
The pricing in Canada is expensive, starting at $30,130 CAD, Sport-B $33,080 CAD, Sport $33,630 CAD and topping out at $37,130 CAD for the Sport Touring.
While I really like the look of the Honda Civic Hatchback and the manual transmission offering, does it make more sense to buy the Civic sedan or even the new Honda HR-V? The sedan is almost $2,000 CAD less and the HR-V AWD model is an extra $1,130 CAD. Top trim to top trim, you’ll pay only an extra $780 CAD for the HR-V.
In the US, the pricing is more competitive, but you will still pay a little more for this hatchback compared to the sedan and it will cost you less money for the new HR-V including an AWD option. The Civic hatchback starts at $25,850 USD, EX-L $28,150 USD, Sport Touring $30,950 USD.
Fuel economy is better than the HR-V at 8L/100 km, 29 MPG city and 6.2L/100 km, 37 MPG highway. But the HR-V is a much bigger vehicle.

Get the dealership cost, any rebates and special interest rates, plus secret discounts, go to CarCostCanada. Use the promo code MOTORMOUTH to become an expert member.

[bill]

The challenge with the Civic is not the car itself but Honda dealerships. Here in the northeastern US, many dealerships charge a premium over MSRP. Spring 2022, a family member wanted to buy the SI, there was a premium over MSRP. Same thing with the manual Touring hatchback. She found a great deal on a Mazda 3 Premium, black with red interior, with the manual transmission. Now she's grateful that those Honda dealerships drove her away.

[HerNameWasMcGillShe]

Such a wonderful alternative to the SUV craze. I got as low as 6.43 l/100km and it had so much space, performance and utility.

[katanamast]

I can chime in on GTI ownership. I currently still own my 2015 MK7 GTI DCT in black. It has been my daily since I bought it with 5 miles on it. I am currently at 260k miles and still running strong. All I have done is regular maintenance such as oil changes, transmission fluid changes, Spark Plugs, FIlters, etc. I am just now about to do the water pump/thermostat change which is way past the expected mileage. Every GTI owner will eventually have to do this as it is a common problem. Otherwise my car has been super reliable and fun to drive everday and on long trips. I also have a tune since 70k miles and never had any issues. Cheers!!!

[Noneofyourdambusssiness]

😂😂 You guys crack me up. Love when you leave in some of the funny outtakes. Keep up the great work.

[ranthony]

Two years ago, i purchased a new Acura Ilx. If I was to buy a civic today for the list price of my ilx, I would have to buy a civic ex sedan. This is a massive price bump in 2 years. If I was to buy the Acura vehicle that replaces my ilx, you are looking at 45, 000.

[derfandme]

The Civic hatchback has an amazing amount of room for 4 people and all their stuff.

The GTI is nice and fun to drive but I keep my vehicles for a long time and the GTI will not be as cheap to maintain.

I retired in my early 50's and one way I did that was buying reliable vehicles not money pits.

In 37 years I've owned 4 vehicles.

Reliability is my main criteria.

[bassandtrebleclef]

Love Andrea laughing at Zach at 13:20 on pricing, bit im with Zach. I'm a Honda fan who would love to buy the civic hatch with the manual, but pricing is absurd.

[obhatti]

Great review and laughed so hard at the "blooper reel" - glad you guys left that in!

[joelh]

Will be picking up this exact trim next month. I do agree with the price and trim structure being off base. However, this just nails all the things I'm looking for in a vehicle. I want something that is:
-fun to drive
-has a nice interior (I feel its almost on par with the Mazda, better than the GTI/Corolla)
-has a good predicted future reliability and cheaper repairs (much better than VW)
-good resale value down the line (unlike with mazda and hyundai)
-generally a small footprint for easier parking while maintaining good 2nd row room + be a hatch
-great MPG for its class

[AznfoboiXO]

Proud owner of a 22 sport touring hatchback with 6mt, same colour as in the review. I've received so many compliments about the car from friends and colleagues that own BMWs and Audis etc. It is also the global body style of the civic in europe and asia where it competes well against entry-level german competitors (1 ser, a3, a class)

It is a great all rounder that provides me all the latest tech features that I would want while sipping 87 octane regular gas and cruising at 130kph on the 407 effortlessly all while letting me row my own gears. Also handles itself very well up to 70-80% of the limit and has an unflappable ride quality for this class.

Its space is great for those unexpected IKEA AS-IS finds and has a backseat where I can put people I actually like.

Yes its more expensive but also feels more exclusive within the Honda line up, i think i see 1 hatchback for every 10+ sedans where I am and less so the sport touring with 6MT. If you want value, stick to the sedan.

It has replaced the Accord Sport as the go-to attainable fun to drive 99% capacity car, for around $35k msrp. My only issues with the car is the auto-stop start on by default ( should not be like this on a manual car) and the lack of driver lumbar support.

[rdyardie]

This is an excellent review. My grandson in Oklahoma has a Civic a few years old. He installed a better shifter in it over the Christmas holidays. I asked him why bother, . . . Honda has had one of the best shifting manual transmissions for eons. He had me drive it after it had the new shifter installed. I did not like the button emergency brake. I might get used to it but I liked the pull emergency on the console. Keep up your reviews. They are appreciated. By the way, I agree with your reliability comment about the 2.0 L engine.

[Mikehunt]

Bought my civic touring here in the US for 29, 000k. That was of course after a week of talking with the dealership and walking out. They yeah called me back and said we’ll make it work for 29k. I pay about $500 a month for 60 months and I’m very happy! The Bose system, and the full digital dash makes a huge difference

[jp]

In the end I want fun AND reliability so def leaning toward Civic. I’ve been burned with past VWs in my life.

[KrissKross]

I have a year with my white ‘22 Sport Touring, previously had a ‘19 Sport Touring. This car is leagues better than the last gen and the current Elantra. Feels very European in solidity, driving dynamics, and interior quality. Best selling car doesn’t always mean best car.

[charlottetownspud]

i just got my 2023 gti 40th Anniversary edition a month ago. Fun ride!

[dougshugarts]

I hope you'll review the Civic hybrid when Honda starts selling it in North America. Reviews from Europe and Australia have been glowing. That's the Civic I might buy.

[tomhockman]

The option to not get blind slot monitoring is due to a parts shortage. Many Accords and CR-Vs don’t have BSI due to this shortage.

[davidp.]

$40 K for a Civic is completely ridiculous. C’mon Honda, get serious .

[lawrencemitchell]

I'm a Mustang and Mazda fan and current my GTI was probably best all around practical performance car I've owned....and it didn't attract attention in white, but was frankly unbelievable at speed.

[devastator_]

Only 16 seconds into the video an i already like her the moment she said you know what I miss manual transmission