Which used Honda Civic should you buy?

The Honda Civic is a long-established family hatchback that’s around the same size, shape and price as the Ford Focus and ever-popular Volkswagen Golf.  It’s an alternative to these well-known models and offers lots of space, an enjoyable driving experience and good reliability.

The latest version was launched in 2022, and comes as a hybrid only. Prior to that there were 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre petrol engines with either a manual or automatic gearbox.

If you’re buying a model that’s a bit older, there was previously also a diesel variant, which works well for long trips, as it’s really economical. But it’s increasingly hard to track down.

Additionally, there’s a version called the Honda Civic Type R, which is one of the best handling and fastest hot hatchbacks ever made. It’s a brilliant car, but rather different from other versions of the Honda, and aimed firmly at driving enthusiasts.

Read our full Honda Civic review

What used Honda Civic trim levels are available?

There’s a variety of different trim levels on offer for the Honda Civic, starting from the entry grade Honda Civic SE. At the time of writing, the most popular and widely available is the Honda Civic Sport, which blends decent performance with some stylish features.

Honda Civic SE

The entry-level Honda Civic SE was only available with a 1.0-litre petrol engine from new, and comes with a pretty generous list of equipment, as detailed below.

• LED headlights
• Automatic high beam headlights
• Fabric upholstery
• Hill-start assist
• Autonomous emergency braking
• Braking assist
• Land departure warning
• Lane-keeping assist
• Climate control
• Parking sensors
• Five-inch media system
• Digital radio
• Bluetooth
• USB connectivity

Honda Civic SR

The Honda Civic SR is a good value mid-specification model that added to the already generous specification of the Honda Civic SE with even more desirable equipment.

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Front foglights
• Tinted windows
• Ambient lighting
• Leather steering wheel
• Automatic windscreen wipers
• Dual-zone climate control
• Reversing camera
• Two USB ports
• Seven-inch media system
• Sat-nav
• Android Auto
• Apple CarPlat

Honda Civic Sport

The Honda Civic Sport was a mid-spec model that has almost exactly the same equipment as the Honda Civic SR model, but was only available with the 1.5-litre petrol engine, so it’s a bit faster.  It adds to the Honda Civic SR trim with a few subtle changes.

• Upgraded exhaust
• Sporty bodykit
• New alloy wheels
• Headlight washers

Honda Civic EX

The Honda Civic EX was a top-spec model of the standard car. As such it came with even more standard equipment. The adaptive suspension allows drivers to press a button to make the car feel more sporty on twisty roads, then switch back to comfort mode for bumpy ones.

• Blind-spot monitoring
• Keyless entry
• Leather upholstery
• Electically operated front seats
• Heated seats front and rear
• More speakers and subwoofer for audio system
• Wireless phone charging
• Panoramic sunroof
• Adaptive suspension

Honda Civic Type R

The Honda Civic Type R is the most expensive version, as it comes with unique suspension, wheels and tyres plus a very powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It has stunning performance, is a delight to drive and is highly sought-after by enthusiasts.

Is a used Honda Civic a good buy?

The Honda Civic faces fierce competition from ever popular rivals such as the Volkswagen Golf and the ubiquitous Ford Focus. 

But it’s so well established after so many generations that you can’t go too far wrong whatever version you choose.

The Honda Civic is a really impressive all-rounder and prices are affordable, so it comes highly recommended for all kinds of drivers.