Honda Civic 2024 hatchback review (e:HEV hybrid)

What a great car the Honda Civic is. Just a shame it's overpriced in Australia -- at least if you consider it against mainstream rivals like the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla.

That's exactly how I feel about the new-generation Honda Civic line-up, which is brilliant in a lot of ways. It offers heaps of tech and safety gear, a long list of standard equipment, and a couple of really great engine choices, including the turbo petrol in the VTi LX grade, and the lovely little petrol-electric hybrid system used in the e:HEV LX model.

But the issue here isn't this car. It's the cars it competes with. That's because you can get a Corolla for less, either as a petrol or hybrid. Or a Mazda 3, with a 2.5L engine. There's also a Hyundai i30 hatch or sedan, hybrid or petrol or turbo petrol, for less. The Kia Cerato range has heaps of choices, including a great top-spec sporty GT grade, which is terrific. And it's $10K cheaper than the base petrol Civic. And even the excellent Skoda Scala is heaps cheaper.

So, you get my point. The Honda Civic would be more competitive with mainstream rivals if it were cheaper. But you could actually consider this an alternative to the Audi A3, and then it makes a bit more sense... and it stacks up pretty well in that regard, too.

Anyway, watch the video and have your say in the comments section, and here are some of the best alternatives to the Civic:

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00:00 Intro
00:21 Is it the right price?
02:23 What are the best alternatives?
03:40 Is it the right size?
05:04 Interior
10:29 Under the bonnet
11:31 Driving
14:42 Efficiency
15:30 Is it safe?
16:50 Ownership
17:31 Verdict

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[Raturidesagain]

If you want 50% less power and 55% less torque and no boot/back seat or driving dynamics, go right ahead and buy a Corolla hybrid!!

[MC]

Here in Australia, The top model Corolla is $44, 000 and the Civic is $49, 990. The Honda is so much a better car, night and day. The materials, finish and the drive train etc. Rear boot and rear leg room is heaps better than the Corolla. Honda has a better hybrid system too. Going from the Hybrid Civic to a mid priced SX, the Corolla looks so cheaply made. I now understand you Honda. Thanks 🤫😁

[guymp]

One great thing about this car that sets it apart: with rear seats down I transported a new 64 inch TV in its box from one side of Sydney to the other. No other 'small' hatchbacks on the market (that I know of) in Aus can do this. Its also pure joy to drive - the steering and handling are exceptional and the hybrid system provides rapid and strong acceleration. Love it.

[FrugalRoo]

For info - this Hybrid e-cvt Civic has no gearbox. The ICE sometimes drives the wheels through a single gear roughly equivalent to an overdrive 6th gear in a manual or it is driven by one of the electric motors with the ICE powering the second electrical motor as a generator. What sounds like gear changes is the motor simulating gear changes by revving up and down whilst charging the battery or providing electricity to the drive motor via the generator. Makes it sound and feel like there is a gearbox but there isn’t.

[rosspendlebury]

Great looks, great interior, great comfort, great space, great ride and handling, great comfort, great economy, good performance. Yes, it is on the more expensive side and some of these elements are subjective, but as far as I am concerned the value is there. Its competitors include the low end Audis and Beemers, not just the likes of Hyundai and Toyota. I’ve put my money where my mouth is - looking forward to it arriving.

[timhall]

I don't own a Honda so I'm not part of the fanboy club. But I think people need to remember Honda has been around a long time and has been a staple for many for a long time. They usually produce quality cars and are a "big brand". I think the price tag is a little steep but anything EV isn't cheap... Don't forget this isn't a new manufacturer producing cheap and near untested market cars... Were in 2024 where most new cars are 40k+. Anything less and it's a gamble. Everyone wants more for less (me too) but I've come to realise, especially with cars you get what you pay for. So, I'm interested in this hybrid, but maybe the way to go is to buy one with 30k+ kms on it and miss out on the brand new price tag. Otherwise, apart from a 360 camera I think it seems like a pretty good pick.

[tkr]

Civic e:hev is the best car in its class. It has won all the tests, whether against Japanese, German or French cars. Here in Europe this costs the same as a 2.0 hybrid Corolla. So for the same money you can get something better, i.e. a really good purchase. I can understand that someone wants cheaper, but for example the 1.8 hybrid Corolla is pretty terrible, like the European competitors with a gearbox and a small turbo engine. Linear Shift Control is great! Civic e:hev elegance, €39, 000.

[tonycoz]

I am yet to read a negative review about this car.

[WildDanHibiki]

47k for a base model Civic is hilarious.

[d.mitchell]

Hi Matt, complete and detailed review, as usual very high quality. Unfortunately for Honda, too many as-good options for much less money.

[jkkchow]

It makes sense if you say they are not going for volumetric sales as a target but for profit instead. Makes sense as it is business... So profit is King!
I own a 2nd hand Honda Crv in New Zealand and similar to Aust, Honda is way overpriced as new cars here. Yes, they have streamlined their line ups as a whole, with less choices but better than standard quality in materials like interiors and look etc. But as new it can't justify itself from a 'good value' point of view. Yes, It is better than standard but not good enough to be luxury, though charging premium price.
2nd hand though and i find it way more competitive as you basically get better quality than usual over other brand's standard grade at a more affordable pricing.
But yes, unless you are a honda fan, not many will really consider the brand, . They will go for the Koreans, the Chinese and other Euro brand, which is a shame cos honda cars are reliable and overall good quality.

Great stuff love your reviews. Genuine honest reviews but more variety in presentations than other channels.

[stizzygrayson]

10k over priced. Honda Australia really ruined a decent car. Sales have been abysmal.

[pillred]

$55, 000 drive away? I have just done a conversion in Sterling and here (UK) the Honda Civic ehev costs wait for it $75, 000 so you don't know how good you have it there, in Ireland it's even dearer nearer $90, 000!

[marshallmarthes]

Honda doesn't really care about numbers of sales because they are trying to get into the luxury category of cars and slowly they are building up to it

[sydmoir]

55k is an altogether different category. it opens more bigger, better, more powerful options & even pre-owned ones; could be dead on arrival like it was in India.

[oiyou]

Interesting sounding tech from what heard and read the engine acts as a range extender for the battery, most of the drive is done via battery and electric motors unless at highway speed then its direct drive. Interesting solution one major draw back i can think of is. If battery dead from old age your stranded.

[rxs]

I think they should have a cheaper model hybrid without leather seats and without the sunroof at 45k that would be good. Also I’d really like a 360 camera why wouldn’t Honda include that? Especially considering they made this civic so long!

[GlennB-oj]

Tyre repair kit?, cmon, how many people are really going to stuff around with that on the side of the road, go the Kia, drives well and better warranty.

[malhaar]

almost $55K... Is Honda in the senses? I know it is a hybrid but still very very expensive with just 5 year warranty.

[Greg-kj]

still waiting for that 40/20/40 rear split....