What is new in the 2023 Honda Civic?

Model Preview

In 2022, the Honda Civic went through a full redesign, giving it an even more mature look and feel. With this design still fresh, the 2023 Civic will be a carryover model. The most noteworthy addition will be the late introduction of the completely redesigned 2023 Civic Type R that promises to be the most powerful Honda ever sold in the U.S.

On the outside, the current Honda Civic took a step away from its Accord-based design, giving it some uniqueness within the lineup. This included a smaller grille with a more prominent “H” emblem, a more rounded nose, a shallower-raked rear glass, bold taillights, and a clean and clutter-free backside. The hatchback model is nearly identical, but its one-piece hatch and unique taillights set it apart. No notable styling changes are present for 2023, as this exterior design still very new.

In contrast, the 2023 Civic Type R features a more mature look compared to the prior Civic generation, although admittedly that's not saying a lot. Functional air inlets, a sleeker rear spoiler, and three-outlet exhaust help set the car apart from the standard Civic hatchback. Wider fenders and exclusive colors like Historic Championship White send a message that the Type R is no ordinary Civic model.


What is new in the 2023 Honda Civic?

Inside, the current Civic is sharp and simple with its thin and clutter-free dash that boasts a standard 7-inch dash-top touchscreen that’s upgradable to 9 inches. It also features a trio of round HVAC knobs, a dash-width chicken-wire-like insert, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, and more. Standard tech includes a 7-inch touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a four-speaker audio system. We expect the 2023 Civic to arrive with the same look and features.

The 2023 Civic Type R interior features unique red sport seats in a suede-like material and matching red carpet and trim. For 2023, each Type R will get a serialized plate mounted on the dash. Unlike the normal Civic, Type R models will come with track-inspired features like a data-logging computer, a special rpm display, a stopwatch, and the ability to share driving videos.

The 2023 Civic will come standard with a 158-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the now-base sport trim, as Honda is discontinuing the LX trim. The EX and Touring trims feature a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 180 hp. The sportier Si trim gets a tune that sees that figure increase to 200hp.

2023 Civic Type R horsepower will come in at 315 hp with 310 lb-ft of torque. That's a gain of 9 hp and 15 lb-ft compared to the previous generation Type R. The standard turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Honda says it will be their most powerful production car ever sold in the U.S.

The 2023 Civic offers the same safety features as last year's model, which got top IIHS ratings all around, save for "Acceptable" ratings in the lower leg and restraint categories.

Pricing & Release Date

Honda hasn't announced an official release date yet for the 2023 Civic, but we expect both the sedan and hatchback to be on sale later this fall. The Type R should follow suit soon after.

The 2023 Civic’s pricing starts at $25,745 following the demise of the base LX trim. The remaining trims saw $500 to $700 price increases. As for the 2023 Civic Type R, we estimate a price increase compared to the previous MSRP of about $38,000. Whether or not Type R prices exceed $40,000 or $43,000 remains an open question.

The 2023 Honda Civic will compete with the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, and Hyundai Elantra.

Pictured: 2023 Honda Civic Type R

The Car Connection Expert Review

What is new in the 2023 Honda Civic?
Senior Editor

October 25, 2022

Likes

  • Timeless design
  • Sublime handling and ride
  • Impressive turbo-4
  • Useful hatchback

Dislikes

  • Slimmed-down lineup
  • A hybrid would be nice
  • Base engine can be snoozy
  • CVT works best with turbo-4

Buying tip

The 2023 Honda Civic is best appreciated with turbo power, though you don’t have to spring for the Civic Si to have a fun commuter.

features & specs

EX-L CVT

Sport CVT

Sport Manual

The 2023 Honda Civic offers unmatched poise and balance, as well as great value.

What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Honda Civic? What does it compare to?

The Civic comes in hatchback and sedan forms. Shop this compact car against the Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3, among others. 

Is the 2023 Honda Civic a good car?

Review continues below

The 2023 Honda Civic is a highly rational choice, with its crisp styling matched by balanced moves over the road and appealing turbo power. It earns a 6.8 out of 10 on the TCC scale. (Read more about how we rate cars.)

What's new for the 2023 Honda Civic?

After a revamp last year, the Civic lineup sees some trim tweaks for 2023. The base Civic LX sedan bites the dust, meaning the LX hatchback is now the cheapest model in the lineup. At the opposite end, a high-performance Civic Type R is set to debut later in the model year. We’ll update this space when we’ve driven it.

The Civic comes in two basic styles: sedan and slightly shorter (but more practical) hatchback. All versions have clean, purposeful styling that should withstand the test of time better than the old model’s busy, alien-like lines. Sport versions have 18-inch wheels and body kits, while the Si (which comes only as a sedan) is subtly dressier yet with its own finishes outside and a broader range of color options.

Inside, Honda parks the standard 7.0-inch or optional 9.0-inch touchscreen display high on the dash above a honeycomb panel that disguises the airline-like climate control vents. The overall look is impressive, even in the cheapest versions Honda offers.

The base 156-hp inline-4 fitted to LX and Sport trims offers adequate go in typical situations, though the CVT keeps the engine well into its power band for optimal acceleration.

We’re far more smitten with the downsized 1.5-liter turbo-4, which offers upsized power, refinement, and fuel economy. Its 180 hp comes on quickly but progressively. The CVT works well enough here. On all, the available 6-speed manual gearbox is a delight, though.

Civic Si models use a 200-hp version of the turbo-4, which is matched exclusively to an especially slick version of the 6-speed manual.

Fuel economy is a highlight, with every variant able to brag about upward of 30 mpg combined in EPA testing. The most popular versions—turbos with the CVT—come in at a spectacular 36 mpg combined.  

All cars ride comfortably and boast quick responses. Sport versions are more about style than any real performance enhancement, though their 18-inch wheels ride a bit more firmly, if that’s your thing. The Civic Si lost its previously standard adaptive dampers, which is a shame, but these models still ride comfortably enough for commuting. 

The well-proportioned interior looks and feels worth the prices Honda charges. Cargo space is decent in sedans and great in hatchbacks, which rival some small SUVs for real-world utility.

Honda includes automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control across the line. Blind-spot monitors are available. All models boast a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS. 

How much does the 2023 Honda Civic cost?

A pared-down lineup this year means you’ll need to budget $24,645 for a base Civic LX hatchback, which includes 16-inch alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a good array of crash-avoidance tech.

We’d save up for a turbocharged model, which means stepping up to the EX sedan or the EX-L hatchback, both of which add heated front seats, sunroofs, and more speakers. Plan to spend a little more than $27,000. 

Where is the 2023 Honda Civic made?

In Canada and Greensburg, Indiana.

The Honda Civic has finally grown up.

Is the Honda Civic a good-looking car?

For once, we can say that it is. The latest Civic wears clean, sculpted lines that do away with the overwhelming fussiness Honda built into its predecessor. We like its interior even more. It’s an 8 out of 10 overall.

The latest model has a blunt front end with a prominent brow created by a sloping hoodline. Simple headlights give it timeless appeal. The side profile hints at a fastback design in sedans. Hatchbacks wear a similar profile, right up until the last few inches, which have been topped off. They’re not quite as balanced.

All models now ride on alloy wheels, ranging from 16 to 18 inches in diameter. Civic Si models have a special body kit and a slightly more expressive paint color palette. 

Inside, the Civic is truly at its best. The simple, elegant cabin’s highlight is its honeycomb-like strip that helps hide the climate control vents. Honda is light on fun interior hues, though the Civic Si comes with black and red cloth that looks a bit racier than the standard range of blacks and greiges.

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Terrific overall balance earns the 2023 Honda Civic a 6 for its performance.

Is the Honda Civic 4WD?

No, these compact cars are front-wheel-drive only. 

How fast is the Honda Civic?

Base models with the 156-hp 2.0-liter inline-4 can feel wheezy when pushed, but turbocharged models deliver impressive thrust. The CVT fitted to most configurations winds the engine up and parks it right in the middle of the power band, too, which delivers better grunt but also a good amount of noise. 

The 1.5-liter turbo-4 fitted to EX and higher trims (but, ironically, not the Sport) coughs up 180 hp for confident highway passing and on-ramp merging. They’re marginally thriftier, too, if you need another justification for spending a little more right out of the box. 

The turbocharged engine works better with the CVT, mostly because it makes its power peak at lower engine speeds. On all, the 6-speed manual gearbox is a downright delight to operate.

Step up to the Civic Si and you’ll find a 200-hp version of the turbo-4 for a sub-seven-second sprint to 60 mph. The engine is quick to rev, and torque comes on in full force at just 1,800 rpm. The only gearbox here is the 6-speed manual, which uses a single-mass flywheel for jumpier off-the-line performance

Matching the turbo-4 is an impressive chassis with admirable balance and terrific steering heft. The Civic is a delight to muscle around in any configuration. The strut and multi-link suspension absorbs big bumps with aplomb, and even big wheel options can swallow up smaller road imperfections with ease. 

Civic Si models are sharper all around, with rapid-fire steering and a firm but comfortable ride—though we lament Honda’s decision to scrap the previously standard adaptive dampers.

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Forget about compact; the latest Honda Civic is a proper mid-sizer in terms of real-world utility.

Remember when the Honda Civic was a little car? We barely do, either. The latest model offers great interior space and a decent trunk, plus a distinctive style that belies its reasonable price tag. 

Our 6 out of 10 score here comes courtesy its good front seats, though its fairly big trunk would nearly earn a point on its own. 

The Civic sedan stretches more than 183 inches between its bumper, making it as big as the older mid-size sedan you might find yourself trading in. (Hatchbacks are about four inches shorter) That girth means good interior volume. Better yet are the comfy front seats, though Honda requires stepping up to the priciest versions for full power adjustment. 

Second-row riders have big door openings that lead to a decent 37.1 inches of leg room. The bench itself is nicely sculpted to carve out more head room, too. Most versions have a split-folding rear seatback for improved utility, though lower-trim models have just a single seatback that can limit utility. 

The trunk itself offers nearly 15 cubic feet of cargo space in most sedan versions. Hatchbacks are noticeably better: look for the better part of 25 cubes.

Civics have a stylish design and price-appropriate materials throughout.

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The 2023 Honda Civic is among the best choices in the compact car segment.

How safe is the Honda Civic?

It’s a downright safe choice thanks to good ratings from the NHTSA and the IIHS plus an impressive array of crash-avoidance tech. We rate the 2023 Civic at 8 out of 10.

The IIHS calls it a Top Safety Pick+, while the NHTSA says it’s a five-star overall vehicle. Nice work, Honda.

Standard fare across the range includes automatic emergency braking, active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams, while blind-spot monitors and parking sensors are available. 

Outward vision is good forward but less impressive over shoulders due to the slinky shape. 

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Even with a pared-back lineup this year, the 2023 Honda Civic remains a great buy.

Solid standard fare, a reasonable base price, and a decent infotainment system land the 2023 Honda Civic at 8 out of 10 on the TCC scale.

That said, expect to pay more for one this year. The base Civic LX sedan is gone. That leaves the Civic LX hatchback as the entry to the lineup at $24,645. It’s nicely outfitted with 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and crash-avoidance tech. It uses the base inline-4 rather than the more powerful turbo-4 option. 

The cheapest sedan is the ironically named Sport, which costs $25,745 and adds to the LX hatch 18-inch alloy wheels and a few sporty-looking touches inside and out, though it retains the 158-hp engine. 

Honda’s 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is bare minimum coverage by modern compact car standards. 

Which Honda Civic should I buy?

The turbo-4 is worth the upgrade, so look at the EX sedan at $27,045 or the EX-L hatchback at $28,345. 

Both have blind-spot monitors, a sunroof, more speakers, and heated front seats. Hatchbacks add leather. 

How much is a fully loaded Honda Civic?

The Civic Sport Touring hatchback runs $31,145, and it includes Bose audio, wireless smartphone mirroring via an upsized 9.0-inch touchscreen, and a few other niceties. Somewhat amazingly, it’s available with either the CVT or the 6-speed manual, too.

The Civic Si, meanwhile, comes in a single $29,195 configuration with the 8.0-inch display, cloth seats, and the zippy 190-hp inline-4.

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It’s no hybrid, but the 2023 Honda Civic delivers spectacular fuel economy.

Is the Honda Civic good on gas?

It’s a great choice. The most popular models—those with the turbo-4 and the CVT—are rated at a hefty 33 mpg city, 42 highway, 36 combined. The base non-turbo engine still impresses at 31/40/35 mpg, too.

Hatchbacks are slightly less aerodynamic at 35 mpg and 34 mpg for the turbo and non-turbo, respectively, but you’re not likely to notice a big difference in real-world use. 

Models with the manual transmission vary by configuration, but the EPA says to expect in the neighborhood of 29 to 31 mpg combined. Civic Si models need premium fuel; others use cheaper regular unleaded. 

Review continues below

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The Car Connection Consumer Review

Is there going to be a 2023 Honda Civic?

The 2023 Honda Civic starts at $24,650. This is a higher starting price than most compact cars, but that's because the entry-level Civic is better-equipped than most other base models. Honda dropped the Civic LX from the lineup for 2023, leaving the more popular, more recommendable Sport as the entry model.

Where is 2023 Honda Civic built?

The 2023 Honda Civic Type R is assembled at Honda's Yorii plant, northwest of Tokyo. The K20C1 engine, however, is built at the company's Anna engine plant in Sidney, Ohio.

Is there a new Honda Civic coming out?

Yes, the New 11th Generation Honda Civic will go on sale in summer 2021. Updates include a refreshed exterior design, along with new 2022 Honda Civic sedan interior upgrades, and standard safety features.

What year will the Honda Civic be redesigned?

What's New for 2023? The Civic was fully redesigned for 2022, so for 2023 Honda has made no changes to the compact sedan and hatchback other than dropping the base LX trim. The high-performance Civic Type R hatchback rejoins the lineup this year, but we review that model separately.