2018 Honda Civic Pros vs Cons. Should You Buy?

The well-loved and highly-regarded Honda Civic is now several years into its 10th generation. The 2018 Honda Civic used to be considered one of the best compact cars, but now that it has been re-classified as a midsized sedan by the EPA, its top competitor is its sibling model, the Honda Accord. As can be expected, the Honda Civic packs a powerful punch and has numerous safety features that make it a top choice for newer drivers.

What's New for 2018?

The brand new Civic has some minor changes, although a lot carries over from the 2017 model. There is a new Si variation available, and its powertrain has been tweaked to provide enhanced horsepower and torque. The cabins on the new Si and the powerful Type R trims are sportier than those on the 2017 models.

 

Top 10 Reasons to Buy a 2018 Honda Civic – The Pros

1. The Sporty Exterior

The 2018 Honda Civic carries over its larger design from 2017, including a longer wheelbase and wider body frame. The front fascia has a massive black grille that gives the Civic an athletic edge. The headlights are quite narrow and reflect the growing industry trend of having slimmed-down headlights.

2. Powerful Engine Options

There are multiple engine options, all of which pack a good amount of power. The new hatchback comes standard with a turbocharged engine that is capable of generating 174 hp and up to 177 lb-ft of torque. Standard on the sedan is a 2.0-L 4-cylinder that generates up to 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque.

3. A New Si Variant

The new Si variant is exciting and sporty. The Si is equipped with a new version of the 1.5-L engine capable of generating up to 205 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, making this Honda's very first factory turbocharged Si model.

4. The Type R

The new Type R features an impressive turbocharged 2.0-L engine capable of generating up to 306 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. This trim is now the most powerful Honda ever to be sold in the United States.

5. Sporty Interior Designs on The Si and Type R

The 2018 Honda Civic Si and Type R both have sportier interiors than their 2017 predecessors. Leather seating and trim is available, and the black interior color with silver trim adds a touch of sophistication and luxury to these sporty vehicles.

6. Honda Sensing

For $1,000 more than the MSRP, Honda Sensing can be equipped on any trim and comes standard on the higher-level trims. This suite includes lane departure warning, lane keep assist, a road departure mitigation system, adaptive cruise control, a collision mitigation braking system, and forward collision warning.

7. The Compact Hatchback Segment

The 2018 Honda Civic hatchback segment provides some great options for those who prefer a slightly more compact vehicle. The Civic hatchback is just a step above the Honda Fit and adds a bit more space than what the Fit offers. The 2018 Honda Civic Type R also has a hatchback model that has a slightly bulkier look to the rear.

8. A Spaciousness and Comfortable Cabin

The interior of the Honda Civic provides plenty of head, shoulder, and legroom for the driver and passengers alike. Since the wheelbase was elongated and body frame widened, the interior of the cabin has a more spacious feel than older Civic models. The seats are all incredibly comfortable and are so well-padded that long drives are enjoyable.

9. Controls Are Easy to Use

Honda seems to understand that many of their drivers don't want to spend a bunch of time fidgeting with confusing controls on the dashboard or on the touchscreen interface. Knobs are clearly marked and intuitively placed along the Civic's dash, the center console is well-organized, and there are buttons on the steering wheel that allow drivers to make adjustments without taking their hands away from the steering wheel or eyes off of the road.

10. Plenty of Cargo Space

The Civic's 60/40 split fold-down rear seats add extra cargo space to the already generous space in the trunk. The seats themselves are easy to fold, and drivers will have no problem fitting bulky items and tons of grocery bags into the trunk.

 

Reasons Not to Buy a 2018 Honda Civic – The Cons

1. The Price Increase

Unfortunately, the only real drawback to buying the 2018 Honda Civic is that some dealerships seem to be overpricing it. Additionally, the cost has slightly jumped from the starting MSRP of the 2017 Honda Civic. However, you are getting your money's worth if you decide to opt for one of the higher trim levels.

2. Small Standard Touchscreen

In a competitive bracket in which technology sells vehicles, it would make sense that Honda would be trying harder to compete by adding a larger touchscreen to its infotainment setup. However, it looks as though the Civics will still get the standard 5- and 7-inch touchscreens, whereas the Accords (which were massively overhauled) are getting a new standard 8-inch touchscreen that provides crisp, high-quality graphics.

3. Smartphone Connectivity Issues

Drivers continue to note connectivity and integration issues between the Civic and their smartphone apps. The Civic is compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. However, the apps can be finicky and somewhat confusing for non-tech-savvy drivers.

How it stacks up to the competition:

2018 Honda Civic vs. 2018 Hyundai Elantra

The 2018 Hyundai Elantra sedan doesn't share the same sporty exterior, but the interior looks pretty upscale and well-crafted. The 2.0-L engine, however, is completely lackluster compared to what you will find on the Civic. Also, the 7-speed transmission has a lagging shift when driving at slower speeds, and the steering is heavy, unlike the Civic's smooth steering and handling.

2018 Honda Civic vs. 2018 Chevy Cruze

The 2018 Chevy Cruze is a surprisingly strong competitor for the Honda sedans this model year. The Cruze has sporty handling and is an engaging vehicle to drive. Its touchscreen interface is somewhat superior to that found on the Honda. However, the Cruze lacks the Civic's stellar fuel economy and struggles to keep pace in terms of acceleration.

Conclusion

The 2018 Honda Civic is not quite as exciting as the redesigned 2018 Honda Accord. However, the Civic has a lot to offer in terms of safety, comfort, and reliability. It will likely continue smashing the competition and remains a favorite for those who love driving a sporty sedan or hatchback.