Editors' Page: 2014 Honda Civic

Revisions bring the Civic back up to snuff.

The 2013 Civic sees Honda doing something all too rarely found in life, let alone the auto industry: owning its mistakes and decisively correcting them. The 2012 Civic found commercial success, but left critics and Honda enthusiasts wanting; complaints of anemic handling, dull exterior styling, and sub-standard interior quality were listened to, and the result is a Civic that feels like, well, a Civic. The improvements along with the Civic's large lineup (coupe, sedan, Si, hybrid, and even natural-gas models are available) serve to keep it among the industry's sales leaders.

Driving the 2013 Honda Civic

From our full review: "Offering the type of steering and pedal response that other automakers could only dream of delivering is a testament to the engineering integrity of the Honda Civic. It's easy to overlook excellence in these areas, but just as driving feel is a big part of the magic in a Porsche, the way the Civic gracefully listens and responds to a driver's input is a key reason we consider the 2013 Honda Civic the connoisseur's compact sedan." Read our 2013 Honda Civic full review.

Interior Refinement and Convenience

Not only did Honda upgrade the materials used in the 2013 Civic's interior, but the infotainment has undergone a much-needed improvement. From our overview of the 2013 Civic: "...continues to be one of the best compact cars in terms of interior space, storage and outward visibility. Its ergonomics are nearly flawless and most of the controls are a cinch to operate...we like being able to listen to the music on our smartphone without having to plug it in, and the Civic's standard Bluetooth Audio system is notable for how quickly it connects and begins playing."

One of the Best

The Honda Civic's ever-growing list of awards and accolades includes a spot on our annual list of 10 Best Sedans Under $25,000.

Build and Price

A base 2013 Honda Civic LX starts at just under $19,000, with a fully-loaded EX-L sedan (with navigation) coming in around $24,500. The Hybrid option is available as a sedan only, and adds $6,000 to the base cost -- but comes with a higher level of standard equipment. Build and price your own 2013 Honda Civic right here at KBB.com to unlock its Fair Purchase Price, 5-Year Cost to Own and more.

What's New?

The 2013 Honda Civic has undergone something more than a refresh and less than an overhaul, but there are significant changes from the 2012. The most obvious changes are with the restyled body; the structure has been reworked, with new front and rear treatments on the sedan. Inside, Bluetooth connectivity is now standard and the soft-touch materials on the instrument panel have been upgraded.

A Civic For All Seasons

With the DX base level eliminated, the LX trim is now the entry-level Civic for 2013, and comes standard with a 5-inch full-color multi-information display, rear backup camera with guidelines, Bluetooth, Pandora Internet radio, and a USB port for portable music players. The mid-tier EX trim adds a power moonroof, 16-inch alloy wheels and automatic climate control. At the top of the range is the EX-L, which includes luxury touches like leather upholstery, heated front seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. Most 2013 Civics feature Honda's 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder at 140 horsepower, with the SI equipped with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that churns out 201 horsepower. Thrifty drivers should take advantage of the HF trim, which retains the 1.8-liter engine but uses aerodynamic pieces, lighter wheels and low rolling resistance tires to maximize mpg without the cost of the Hybrid model.

What Owners are Saying

KBB.com visitor and Civic buyer afields2009 had this to say: "The feel of the car was actually quite satisfying going from a V6 to a 2.0 4-cyl. motor...I really enjoy the features it includes like the backup camera, econ button, and blue tooth." Stewy_33 says, "With the econ button on the civic can get around 40mpg on the freeway," and that the Civic "is light, nimble, and gives a comfortable ride." Read more consumer reviews of the Honda Civic.

Other Compact Cars

The Civic is one of the best-known vehicles in the always-crowded compact car segment. The 2013 Civic offers many features that its competitors don't, but those features come at a premium: the Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus, and Mazda 3 all start at just under the Civic's price, with the Focus and Mazda 3 offering five-door variants that the Civic lacks. Check out all your compact car options for 2014.