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2020 Honda Civic

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$20,000

starting MSRP

Key specs

Base trim shown

Sedan

Body style

29

Combined MPG

5

Seating capacity

182.7” x 55.7”

Dimensions

Front-wheel drive

Drivetrain

Overview

(171 reviews)

The good:

  • Turbo engine performance, especially in Type R
  • Handling
  • Lots of useful storage spaces
  • Gas mileage
  • Materials quality
  • Cargo room (hatchback)

The bad:

  • Base engine drone while accelerating
  • Middle rear-seat comfort
  • Muted exhaust sound (Type R)
  • Type R only seats four
  • Touchscreen multimedia system's menus
  • No tuning knob

6 trims

Starting msrp listed lowest to highest price

Wondering which trim is right for you?

Our 2020 Honda Civic trim comparison will help you decide.

See also: Find the best Sedans for 2024

Notable features

  • Subtle styling updates for 2020 (hatchback)
  • Honda Sensing suite of active safety features standard
  • Sedan, coupe and hatchback body styles
  • Sport trim level for coupe, sedan and hatchback
  • Five-seat compact car
  • Performance Si and Type R versions available

2020 Honda Civic review: Our expert's take

What Is the 2020 Honda Civic?

The Honda Civic is a front-drive compact car available in sedan, coupe and four-door hatchback body styles. It competes with the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla. The sedan and coupe have a standard 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine or an available 174-hp, turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder. The regular hatchback comes only with the 1.5-liter engine.

For performance-minded drivers, Honda sells Si and Type R versions of the Civic. The Si model is available in sedan and coupe form and features a 205-hp version of the turbo 1.5-liter engine. The ultra-performance Type R comes only as a hatchback with four seats and is powered by a 306-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A six-speed manual is the only transmission offered for the Si and Type R, but regular Civics can also have a continuously variable automatic transmission.

What’s New on the 2020 Honda Civic?

The Civic hatchback gets updated front and rear styling as well as revised dashboard trim and extra sound insulation. Sport versions of the hatchback get push-button start and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, while EX versions add a power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel and leather shift knob. The high-end Sport Touring version is now available with a six-speed manual transmission.

The Civic Si, meanwhile, also gets exterior styling updates as well as a revised final-drive ratio for quicker responses. There are also new 18-inch matte-black wheels and red interior accents on the seats and instrument panel. The Honda Sensing suite of active safety features is also standard for the Si. Honda has not announced any changes to the Type R as of this writing.

What Features in the 2020 Honda Civic Are Most Important?

Standard Honda Sensing adds a lot of worthwhile active safety features, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and automatic high-beam headlights. Stepping up to the Sport trim brings the Display Audio touchscreen multimedia system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Moving to the EX trim brings Honda’s useful LaneWatch system, which uses a camera in the passenger-side mirror to help you keep an eye on things on the right side of the car, such as cyclists in a bike lane.

2020 Honda Civic Vs. 2020 Toyota Corolla: How Do They Compare?

Though both compact cars offer room for up to five people, the Civic and Corolla have different strengths. Both offer a lot of standard safety features and excellent fuel economy. The Civic is more fun to drive with better performance and handling, though the gap isn’t as wide as it once was. It also comes in three body styles to the Corolla’s two. If you’re looking for ultimate efficiency, however, the Corolla is available in hybrid form, and this version returns an impressive 52 mpg combined, according to the EPA.

Should I Buy the 2020 Honda Civic?

Even lower trim levels of the Civic deliver an engaging driving experience, and the high-output Type R ratchets the driving fun up considerably. It’s worth looking at the turbo 1.5-liter engine over the base 2.0-liter because it offers better performance and gas mileage.

Consumer reviews

(171 reviews)
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.8
  • Interior 4.8
  • Performance 4.9
  • Value 4.8
  • Exterior 4.9
  • Reliability 4.9
Write a review

Most recent consumer reviews

Get you one!

Best year civic thus far....gas mpg, handling, features, and comfort. I've had prolly 10 civics in my lifetime and this is the best one yet.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
24 people out of 26 found this review helpful. Did you?
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So far I love it

Read many reviews prior to purchase. I wanted a good RELIABLE used car with great mpg. But, extra features. My driving is 90% around town. Lots of stop lights. I considered a Miata (florida driver) and husband has a Lexus. The Civic EX hands down. I LOVE this car and feel safe, has moon roof, nice stereo, extra features. Leather would have been nice. My one let down: No CD player. Yes, I’m old (63) but have a ton of CD’s. Even the Miata had a CD player…come on Honda! Not everyone is into their IPhones!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 4.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
12 people out of 14 found this review helpful. Did you?
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2020 Honda Civic LX sedan

I own a 2020 Honda Civic LX sedan and this car is awesome. This my 4th Honda and have always been impressed by fuel economy and reliability in those cars with tlc. So far .this last one is treating me great. I have the 2liter engine with 6 speed trans and it performs very well. The safety features add to the great look and great performance as I love the drive too. Very affordable as well. Customer service at my dealership is awesome as well!!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
16 people out of 17 found this review helpful. Did you?
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See all 171 consumer reviews

Safety

Based on the 2020 Honda Civic base trim.
Combined side rating front seat
5
Combined side rating rear seat
5
Frontal barrier crash rating driver
5
Frontal barrier crash rating passenger
5
Overall frontal barrier crash rating
5
Overall rating
5
Overall side crash rating
5
Risk of rollover
9.5%
Rollover rating
5
Side barrier rating
5
Side barrier rating driver
5
Side barrier rating passenger rear seat
5
Side pole rating driver front seat
5

Warranty

New car and Certified Pre-Owned programs by Honda True Certified+
New car program benefits
Bumper-to-bumper
36 months/36,000 miles
Corrosion
60 months/unlimited distance
Powertrain
60 months/60,000 miles
Roadside assistance
36 months/36,000 miles
Certified Pre-Owned program benefits
Maximum age/mileage
Less than 12 months or 12,000 miles from their original in-service date.
Basic warranty terms
4 years/48,000 if vehicle purchased within warranty period 1 year 12,000 miles if vehicle purchased after warranty period expired
Powertrain
7 years/100,000 miles
Dealer certification required
182-point inspection
Roadside assistance
Yes
View all cpo program details

Have questions about warranties or CPO programs?

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