Following a hurried revamp, this version of Honda Civic was again competitive, if not class-leading. It rides a lot better, is quieter, has improved steering, and the interior looks much nicer. With its already spacious cabin and competitive fuel economy at 29 mpg overall, Civic is a safe, if somewhat conservative choice among compact sedans.
While still not as engaging to drive as some previous Civics, the updates improved the steering and made it one of the better riding compact sedans on the market. The 2013 freshening brought standard climate control to EX models, and a backup camera across the line, adding to the Civic's appeal.
Overall the revised Civic scored midpack in our small sedan Ratings. That's a big improvement from the 2012 Civic, which scored too low to even recommend, but it didn't regain its long-time perch atop this class. Still, traditionally strong resale makes the Civic a sound financial choice.