Are you considering getting a Honda Civic, or are you just a lover of one of the oldest, most famous, and all-time highest-selling cars (27 million units sold in 50 years) in the industry? Honda Civic is one reliable car that you get if you are a prospective car owner that loves durability and reliability. If you are looking for a car that will serve you well with less maintenance cost, then we have outlined and analyzed the 20 best and worst Honda Civic Years in this article to enable you to pick the best Honda Civic year Model that will serve you best.
The Honda Civic, which is in its 11th generation, is accepted as the most technologically advanced car of this generation thanks to its automotive wisdom and technological initiatives.
What Are The Best And Worst Years For The Honda Civic?
The best Honda Civic year model ever manufactured are Honda Civic year models 2020 and above, then 2013-2015, 2004, 2005, and 2011. The absolute worst Honda Civic year models to avoid, on the other hand, are 2001, 2006-2008, 2012, and 2016. It will be necessary to note down this year’s models if you are looking to get a used Honda Civic car in the nearest future.
The Honda Civic has consistently been rated top of the ladder by JD power for several years now. According to JD Power, the Civic came second in the compact car segment ratings in the 2022 best car ratings. The Civic scored a total of 84%, alongside good individual ratings in the categories of driving experience at 86% and resale values at 87%, respectively.
Therefore, if you are determined to find out in details which Honda Civic model years to avoid and the model years to pick when purchasing a civic car, then keep reading this guide.
In its 50 years of making vehicles, Honda has manufactured a lot of great and durable civics worthy of praise. We have done the hard job for you, and below is the list of the best Year models of Honda Civic of all time.
Honda Civic 2020, 2021, and 2022.
The 2020, 2021, and 2022 Honda Civic year models are the year models regarded as the best civic cars ever made due to their exceptional exterior designs, user-friendly infotainment systems, high-tech safety features, and a luxurious interior.
If you must purchase a used Honda Civic car, then going with the 2020 year model will be your best bet as you would not miss out on some of the best features of the Civic car model. But if you don’t want to get a used car, then a brand new Honda Civic 2022 model would be the best option to go for.
2022 Honda Civic:
- Here are some of the exciting features of the 2022 Honda Civic:
- high fuel economy
- excellent performance
- Spacious interior for passenger
- Great design
The 2022 Honda Civic was also nominated for the reputable North American car of the year.
Expert Ratings for Civic 2022:
- Edmunds: 4.0 / 5.0
- JD Power: 84 / 100
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.3 / 5.0
2021 Honda Civic:
- Edmunds: 4.5 / 5.0
- JD Power: 84 / 100
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.8 / 5.0
2020 Honda Civic:
- Edmunds: 4.4 / 5.0
- JD Power: NA
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.8 / 5.0
It will interest you to know that according to information obtained from CarComplaints.com, the combined/total problems for all these 3 car years models accounted for a total number of 18 issues which is considered very low when compared to other car models.
Here is what a customer had to say about his experience of the Civic as obtained from Kelley Blue Book:
“Honda Civic EX-L is a reliable all round car. It has sports car handling and people will turn to take a glimpse as you drive by, its economical to drive and needs very little maintenance.”
Another Civic owner has this to say, as obtained from Edmunds.
“I am a proud owner of the new Honda Civic 2022 sport model and I would say it’s the best car model I have ever driven. Honda really went out of their way to include a lot of new features in this beauty and I love it”
2013, 2014, and 2015 Honda Civic
Honda ended the 9th of the iconic compact car with the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Honda Civic year models. These civic year models had a lot of great reviews about their reliability, performance, and design.
If you are looking for a good Honda Civic car model for your day-to-day activities, then getting any of these Honda Civic year models won’t be a bad choice.
2015 Honda Civic:
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
- Edmunds: 4.3 / 5.0
2014 Honda Civic:
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
- Edmunds: 4.5 / 5.0
2013 Honda Civic:
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
- Edmunds: 4.3 / 5.0
2011 Honda Civic
The 2011 Honda Civic model would pass for a car that was released in the last decades, considering its build and comfort. Furthermore, numerous reviews have shown that the car is reliable car and easy-to-drive car.
The used car market is not an easy one to navigate, especially if you are not experienced. However, if you ever find yourself looking for a reliable used car to purchase, then getting a used Honda Civic 2011 model would do the job for you if you are not the type that fancy the latest technologies that come with the newer models. It is a budget-friendly car that comes with great features for a car of its category.
2011 Honda Civic:
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
- Edmunds: 4.0 / 5.0
Here’s a review a Honda Civic Owner had to drop after using the car as obtained from Kelley Blue Book:
“I have been using Civic for quite sometime now and this is my 6th Civic and all I can say is that Civic is a reliable car you can count on any-day, it has a good fuel economy and engine efficiency. The parts are easy to come by and inexpensive too.It is a well built car generally and the insurance rate is affordable.”
Another user has this to say about his experience with the 2011 Honda Civic. This is obtained from Edmunds.
“If you are considering getting a reliable car for your teenager or your day to day hustle activity car that can serve you well, then 2011 Honda Civic coupe will never be a bad choice to go with.”
2004 & 2005 Honda Civic
The 2004 & 2005 Honda Civic models may look like old model cars, but the fact remains that they are two of the most fuel-efficient, safe, and reliable cars in the used car market today.
If you have a tight budget but looking for a used car that will serve you well without hitches, then acquiring a well-maintained 2004 or 2005 Honda Civic car with a reasonable mileage count will do just fine for you.
2005 Honda Civic:
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
- Edmunds: 4.6 / 5.0
2004 Honda Civic:
- Kelley Blue Book: 4.5 / 5.0
- Edmunds: 4.7 / 5.0
Here’s a review by a Civic user on Kelley Blue Book:
“I have enjoyed this car, to be honest, it is easy to maintain, easy to maneuver, and smooth transmission.”
And here’s yet another great review on Edmunds:
” I have owned and driven this car for approximately 5 years now, I bought it used with a 32k mileage on it. It’s now reading 145k and I’m expecting to drive it for a minimum of 3 years and cover at least 60k on it. So you see, this car right here is the right deal for anyone for a tight budget but looking for reliability and efficiency.”
What are the Consumer Scores For the Best Honda Civic Years?
We have presented the consumer ratings for the best Honda civic years according to some reputable vehicle websites in the table below:
Model Year | Edmunds’ Consumer Rating | Kelley Blue Book’s Consumer Rating | JD Power’s Consumer Rating |
2022 Honda Civic | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.3 / 5.0 | 84 / 100 |
2021 Honda Civic | 4.5 / 5.0 | 4.8 / 5.0 | 84 / 100 |
2020 Honda Civic | 4.4 / 5.0 | 4.8 / 5.0 | NA |
2015 Honda Civic | 4.3 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | NA |
2014 Honda Civic | 4.5 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | NA |
2013 Honda Civic | 4.3 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | NA |
2011 Honda Civic | 4.0 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | NA |
2005 Honda Civic | 4.6 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | NA |
2004 Honda Civic | 4.7 / 5.0 | 4.5 / 5.0 | NA |
What Are The Worst Years For The Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic, just like any other car model out there, has its own downsides and problems. The civic has faced its own criticism and problems on some of the year models, and we advise you to avoid any of these cars we have outlined below in your best interest. You will find out Honda’s worst years models in this section, and it will help you make a better-informed decision when shopping for a used car.
2016 Honda Civic
According to carComplaints.com, the 2016 Civic has a peculiar problem of rodents munching and eating up the wires in this car. This causes a lot of electrical and other problems that affect the safety and performance of this car.
To answer the question of why rats keep eating up the wires in this vehicle, we cannot say for sure what the cause is; however, the problem allegedly was connected to a certain soy compound used in the wiring of the car.
According to information gathered from CarComplaints.com and CarProblemZoo.com, the total number of complaints from users for the 2016 Honda Civic was 427 from carcomplaints and 860 from CarProblemZoo, respectively.
The Following were the major problems of the 2016 Honda Civic:
- Rats eating up wires/coils
- Air Conditioning Issues
- Excessive whistling noise
2012 Honda Civic
Although the 2012 Honda Civic did not have a lot of complaints like the 2016 models, it still had some problems that can’t be totally overlooked even if you are buying the brand new one.
The worst problems of the Honda Civic 2012 have been listed below, but here are some of the major problems reported so far; interior electronics failure, warning lights, infotainment system failure, and other problems.
The Honda Civic 2012 had a total of 559 complaints, as reported by CarProblemZoo.com, and 209 complaints, as reported by CarComplaints.com.
Here are the main problems of the 2012 Honda Civic:
- Engine Stalling
- Brake failure
- Paint Chipping
2006, 2007, and 2008 Honda Civic
The 2006, 2007, and 2008 Honda Civic had their own distinct problems, but there’s one particular problem that is common among the three, which is the cracked engine block problem. This problem is a result of poor coolant circulation, and it leads to overheating of the engine. This problem generally occurs around 87,00 miles, and it costs around $2,800 to fix it.
The 2006, 2007, and 2008 Honda Civic had a combine total complaints of 3,765, according to CarProblemZoo.com, and a combine total complaints of f 2,215, according to CarComplaints.com.
Below are the general problems of the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Honda Civic model cars:
- Paint Cracking/peeling
- Uneven and excessive tire wear
- Cracked Engine block
2001 Honda Civic
The 2001 Honda Civic model will arguably pass for the worst Honda civic year model ever produced by Honda in its 50 years lifespan. Aside from the normal civic problems, this particular Civic year model has a lot of transmission issues that make it difficult to drive the car for long distances.
The 2001 Honda Civic model had a total complaints of 1,331 as reported on CarProblemZoo.com and a total complaints of 1,227 as reported on CarComplaints.com.
Below are the major problems of the 2001 Honda Civic car model:
- Transmission won’t engage
- Transmission failure
- Transmission slipping
What Honda Civic Years Have The Most Complaints?
Over the years, there have been several complaints about the Honda Civic models, each year model having its own complaints and problems. Below is a list of complaints and problems for each Honda Civic Year model:
Model Year | Complaints (CarComplaints.com) | Problems (CarProblemZoo.com) |
2022 Honda Civic | 0 | 90 |
2021 Honda Civic | 7 | 35 |
2020 Honda Civic | 11 | 88 |
2019 Honda Civic | 33 | 143 |
2018 Honda Civic | 47 | 250 |
2017 Honda Civic | 111 | 388 |
2016 Honda Civic | 427 | 860 |
2015 Honda Civic | 83 | 334 |
2014 Honda Civic | 68 | 282 |
2013 Honda Civic | 120 | 345 |
2012 Honda Civic | 209 | 559 |
2011 Honda Civic | 97 | 201 |
2010 Honda Civic | 296 | 472 |
2009 Honda Civic | 419 | 440 |
2008 Honda Civic | 643 | 954 |
2007 Honda Civic | 758 | 1,321 |
2006 Honda Civic | 814 | 1,490 |
2005 Honda Civic | 132 | 353 |
2004 Honda Civic | 175 | 361 |
2003 Honda Civic | 201 | 492 |
2002 Honda Civic | 555 | 849 |
2001 Honda Civic | 1,227 | 1,331 |
2000 Honda Civic | 47 | 341 |
1999 Honda Civic | 43 | 381 |
1998 Honda Civic | 89 | 490 |
1997 Honda Civic | 49 | 450 |
1996 Honda Civic | 21 | 382 |
What Are the Common Problems of Honda Civics?
Based on the data we have collected from several experts car review websites online, here are the most common complaints about Honda Civics car:
- Paint Peeling
- Engine issues
- Transmission problems
- Airbag related problems
- Interior accessories problems
What Are The Best Alternatives To The Honda Civic?
The Honda Civic can easily pass for the best car, if not the best car, in the compact car categories. However, there are lots of other good alternatives that you can pick from that will serve you well if you are not a lover of Honda Civic cars or Honda cars in general. We have compiled a list of so many other car models that you can pick from if you want to explore more options while shopping for a great compact car.
Make & Model | Score | MSRP | Fuel Economy |
Honda Civic | 8.6 | $22,550 – $30,050 | City: 26-33 / Highway: 36-42 |
Mazda3 | 8.6 | $21,150 – $34,750 | City: 23-28 / Highway: 31-36 |
Kia Forte | 8.5 | $19,090 – $24,490 | City: 22-31 /Highway: 31-41 |
Toyota Corolla | 8.0 | $20,425 – $28,710 | City: 28-32 /Highway: 36-41 |
Hyundai Elantra | 8.0 | $20,500 – $27,050 | City: 28-33 / Highway: 36-42 |
Subaru Impreza | 7.8 | $18,795 – $26,395 | City: 22-28 / Highway: 30-36 |
Volkswagen Jetta | 7.8 | $20,365 – $32,095 | City: 26-31 / Highway: 36-43 |
Nissan Sentra | 7.5 | $19,610 – $22,200 | City: 28-29 / Highway: 37-39 |
Hyundai Veloster N | NA | $32,500 – $34,000 | City: 20-22 / Highway: 27-28 |
Subaru WRX | NA | $29,105 – $41,895 | City: NA /Highway: NA |
Volkswagen GTI | NA | $29,880 – $39,130 | City: NA /Highway: NA |
In conclusion, from the information and ratings from experts website and from the complaints and reviews from end users who have had a first hand experience of the Honda Civic car models, you can now make a better informed decision when shopping for the best Honda Civic year model and you can as well avoid the worst Honda Civic year model when looking for a reliable used car.