2023 Honda Civic Hatchback Review

The Honda Civic Hatchback’s combination of performance, technology, and reliability have made it a favorite among car buyers for decades now. Its hatchback version is considered in a league of its own and is described as a true enthusiast’s car. With that, the 2023 Civic Hatchback is upon us and the following is a review of its highlights:

Features

The Honda Civic is currently in its 11th generation which was launched last year. It features 3 trim levels and 2 engine options. It also exclusively offers a manual gearbox, which is a treat for Civic lovers everywhere. There are no significant updates to this year’s model other than some changes to the trim hierarchy.

Powertrain and Numbers

The basic engine on the Civic hatchback 2023 is a 2-liter 4-cylinder that produces 158 hp and 138 lb-ft. You can upgrade to a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder turbo that’s jumpier, with 180 hp and 177 lb-ft. You can equip the hatch with a CVT or the enthusiasts’ favorite 6-speed stick shift manual.

The Civic hatchback can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just about 7 seconds. This is a better acceleration time than most classic supercars. It is therefore quite a quick car for its size and class – a true hot hatch.

As always, the Civic provides you with the perfect match of high performance and fuel economy. The EPA says that the turbo can do up to 31 mpg in the city and 39 on the highway. The standard engine isn’t far behind as it can do up to 30 mpg city and 37 highway.

Interior and Technology

The interior of the current generation Civic is a sight for sore eyes. Its honeycomb mesh design is so well-acclaimed that Honda has used styling cues from it in all of its redesigned cars. You get a premium feeling with the excellent material quality and soft-touch components.

Despite being a compact hatchback, it still doesn’t disappoint in terms of roominess and storage space. You get all sorts of pockets, compartments, and cupholders. The trunk has a tall, wide, and overall capacious design that oozes practicality.

The following are the trim levels on the 2023 Civic hatchback and their standard features. Note that some of the features are only available with the CVT gearbox.

The following are the trims and the standard features that they offer:

2023 Civic Hatchback Sport

The entry-level hatchback Sport is a true driver’s car but that doesn’t mean it loses out on the equipment. The standard stuff includes automatic climate control, push-button ignition, and cruise control. The steering wheel and shifter are both wrapped in leather.

Then comes the infotainment system which is centered around a 7-inch touchscreen. It is mated to a powerful stereo system with 8 speakers. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are included. You also get some outlets for connecting and powering your devices.

The Honda Sensing package gets you some key safety features without adding to the price tag. These include automated emergency braking, standard lane-departure warning (w/lane-keeping assist), forward collision warning, and traffic sign recognition.

2023 Civic Hatchback EX-L

The EX-L gets you some more niceties on top of the features above. It upgrades to dual-zone climate control, a one-touch power moonroof, more beverage holders and pockets, etc. The seats are now leather trimmed, with the front ones being heated. The driver seat now gets 8-way power adjustability. Blind-spot monitoring is also standard.

2023 Civic Hatchback Sport Touring

Naturally, the top Sport Touring trim is the most luxurious. The infotainment is upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with a premium 12-speaker stereo tuned by Bose. More radio options plus a wireless phone charger are also added to the mix. The safety department gains cross-traffic alerts and parking sensors for the front and rear.

Exterior and Driving

The Civic Hatchback has always been stylish and this year’s no different. It has a fastback design which adds to its sporty looks and increases its functionality. 17- and 18-inch alloys are available depending on the trim level.

The following are the colors available on the 2023 Civic Hatchback:

• Rallye Red
• Crystal Black Pearl
• Aegean Blue Metallic
• Meteorite Gray Metallic
• Lunar Silver Metallic
• Platinum White Pearl
• Morning Mist Metallic
• Sonic Gray Pearl
• Boost Blue Pearl
• Smokey Mauve Pearl
• Blazing Orange Pearl
• Championship White

Do make sure that the color of your choice is available on your trim though.

The all-new Civic Hatchback 2023 has received praise for its seamless power delivery, handling, and braking. It is a very composed car on the turns like you’d expect it to be. It shows that you don’t necessarily need the top-spec Civic Si or Type R to have fun.

Also, the cabin is free from any sort of vibration and is quite comfy.

Reliability and Warranty

The 2023 Civic got a predicted reliability rating of 80 from JD Power which is great. Consumer Reports say that it will be more reliable than the average new car available today. Those who’ve bought this car also have great things to say about it.

The limited warranty on this car stands at 3 years/36k miles and the powertrain warranty will cover you for 5 years/60k miles. Honda is one of the few automakers that offer complimentary maintenance for 2 years/24k miles.

Verdict

The 2023 Honda Civic Hatchback is a true hot hatch in every sense of the game. It is functional, fuel-efficient, and a stylish car that is as fun to drive as ever. Car and Driver, along with several other experts, has given it a perfect score.

There are two excellent engine options, which do everything well. Honda has also shown that it appreciates tradition by including the stick-shift manual gearbox. The driving dynamics of this car are out of this world.

You get a spacious and versatile interior that’s astoundingly comfortable. The car offers a range of advanced technology features, which include a suite of driver assistance features, which add to its overall appeal.

The reliability is at an all-time high in true Civic fashion. Honda also sweetens the deal by offering complimentary maintenance for a limited time.
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