Likes
- Fun and involving driving experience. Especially the turbo models
- Practical interior
- Great value on the used car market
- Typical Honda reliability
Used Honda Civic review
2016 - 2022
Dislikes
- Polarising exterior design
- There’s a handful of common issues, so buy one with as much warranty as possible
- 1.5-litre engines have a widespread oil dilution problem
- Infotainment is among the worst in class for usability
Stuff you should know
The 10th generation of the Honda Civic, produced from 2016 to 2021, marked a significant milestone for one of Honda’s most popular and enduring models. This iteration of the Civic featured a fresh design, enhanced performance, and a host of new technologies, solidifying its position as a top contender in the compact car segment.
Exterior-wise, the 10th-gen Honda Civic showcased a more aggressive and sporty appearance compared to its predecessor, albeit, quite polarising. It adopted a sleek and aerodynamic profile with sharp character lines and a bold front fascia.
Under the bonnet, the 10th-gen Civic offered a variety of engine options, including 1.8-litre 4-cylinder petrol, a 1.5-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol as well as a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo-petrol in the Type R models.
The interior of the Civic received a significant upgrade in terms of quality, space, and technology. The cabin boasted a more refined and upscale feel, with high-quality materials and an ergonomic layout. Notable features included a touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone integration, and advanced driver-assistance systems, such as collision mitigation braking, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.
The Civic’s driving experience was enhanced with improved handling, responsive steering, and a comfortable ride quality.
The 10th-gen Honda Civic was also praised for its commitment to safety. It received excellent crash test ratings from various safety organizations, earning the model recognition as a top safety pick in its class. Honda’s suite of safety features, known as Honda Sensing, was widely available across the Civic lineup.
What goes wrong
Interior:
- Plenty of owners have complained about the usability of the infotainment screen. Either simply being a slow, poor design or it being generally glitchy.
- Some owners have reported that the seals around the boot can let water in.
Mechanically:
- Like other Honda models, parts of the wiring loom are coated in soy, which attracts rodents that eat through them. This can cause all kinds of electronic issues.
- Civics fitted with the 1.5-litre engine are prone to a widespread oil dilution issue. This is where fuel is making its way into the oil, compromising performance. Some owners have reported an unwillingness of Honda to help.
- There are sporadic reports of CVT issues, as well as alternators needing replacing far too frequently
Recalls:
- December 2018 – Honda Civic Type R (2017-2018) – 32 units affected – Some vehicles have missing or incorrect information in the Owner’s Manual, posing potential hazards to the driver and occupants regarding seat belts, child anchorage systems, vehicle notifications, and operations.
- June 2021 – Honda issued a recall for 54,300 units of Civic, City, Jazz, CR-V, HR-V, Accord models manufactured between 2018 and 2021, as the fuel pump component may swell, leading to engine starting issues or stalling while driving, posing a risk of accidents and serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.
- January 2023 – Honda CR-V and Civic models from 2021-2022 are affected by a fault where the Genuine accessory window tint applied to the front side windows does not meet specifications, potentially reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents, with 5,053 units affected.
Interior:
- Plenty of owners have complained about the usability of the infotainment screen. Either simply being a slow, poor design or it being generally glitchy.
- Some owners have reported that the seals around the boot can let water in.
Mechanically:
- Like other Honda models, parts of the wiring loom are coated in soy, which attracts rodents that eat through them. This can cause all kinds of electronic issues.
- Civics fitted with the 1.5-litre engine are prone to a widespread oil dilution issue. This is where fuel is making its way into the oil, compromising performance. Some owners have reported an unwillingness of Honda to help.
- There are sporadic reports of CVT issues, as well as alternators needing replacing far too frequently
Recalls:
- December 2018 – Honda Civic Type R (2017-2018) – 32 units affected – Some vehicles have missing or incorrect information in the Owner’s Manual, posing potential hazards to the driver and occupants regarding seat belts, child anchorage systems, vehicle notifications, and operations.
- June 2021 – Honda issued a recall for 54,300 units of Civic, City, Jazz, CR-V, HR-V, Accord models manufactured between 2018 and 2021, as the fuel pump component may swell, leading to engine starting issues or stalling while driving, posing a risk of accidents and serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.
- January 2023 – Honda CR-V and Civic models from 2021-2022 are affected by a fault where the Genuine accessory window tint applied to the front side windows does not meet specifications, potentially reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents, with 5,053 units affected.
Interior:
- Plenty of owners have complained about the usability of the infotainment screen. Either simply being a slow, poor design or it being generally glitchy.
- Some owners have reported that the seals around the boot can let water in.
Mechanically:
- Like other Honda models, parts of the wiring loom are coated in soy, which attracts rodents that eat through them. This can cause all kinds of electronic issues.
- Civics fitted with the 1.5-litre engine are prone to a widespread oil dilution issue. This is where fuel is making its way into the oil, compromising performance. Some owners have reported an unwillingness of Honda to help.
- There are sporadic reports of CVT issues, as well as alternators needing replacing far too frequently
Recalls:
- December 2018 – Honda Civic Type R (2017-2018) – 32 units affected – Some vehicles have missing or incorrect information in the Owner’s Manual, posing potential hazards to the driver and occupants regarding seat belts, child anchorage systems, vehicle notifications, and operations.
- June 2021 – Honda issued a recall for 54,300 units of Civic, City, Jazz, CR-V, HR-V, Accord models manufactured between 2018 and 2021, as the fuel pump component may swell, leading to engine starting issues or stalling while driving, posing a risk of accidents and serious injury or death to vehicle occupants and other road users.
- January 2023 – Honda CR-V and Civic models from 2021-2022 are affected by a fault where the Genuine accessory window tint applied to the front side windows does not meet specifications, potentially reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents, with 5,053 units affected.
Should you buy it?
Despite a handful of sporadic issues, the 10th-gen Honda Civic is a solid small car. With the right engine, it’s genuinely fun to drive and continues Honda’s knack for blending performance and practicality. The hatch variants are particularly practical, as the boot hatch turns it into basically a liftback.
While the Civic is generally mechanically sound, with only a few common issues, the CVT issues and the oil dilution problems in the 1.5-litre engines mean it’s absolutely crucial you get a pre-purchase inspection done if you’re in the market for one.
In the small car class, there are plenty of good options, but for us, either Honda Civic or the Mazda 3 would be our pick.
Try to shop as far up the spec tree as you can to get as much active safety gear as possible, and try to get one with as much warranty as possible so that any mechanical issues will be covered by Honda.
Despite a handful of sporadic issues, the 10th-gen Honda Civic is a solid small car. With the right engine, it’s genuinely fun to drive and continues Honda’s knack for blending performance and practicality. The hatch variants are particularly practical, as the boot hatch turns it into basically a liftback.
While the Civic is generally mechanically sound, with only a few common issues, the CVT issues and the oil dilution problems in the 1.5-litre engines mean it’s absolutely crucial you get a pre-purchase inspection done if you’re in the market for one.
In the small car class, there are plenty of good options, but for us, either Honda Civic or the Mazda 3 would be our pick.
Try to shop as far up the spec tree as you can to get as much active safety gear as possible, and try to get one with as much warranty as possible so that any mechanical issues will be covered by Honda.
Should you buy it?
Despite a handful of sporadic issues, the 10th-gen Honda Civic is a solid small car. With the right engine, it’s genuinely fun to drive and continues Honda’s knack for blending performance and practicality. The hatch variants are particularly practical, as the boot hatch turns it into basically a liftback.
While the Civic is generally mechanically sound, with only a few common issues, the CVT issues and the oil dilution problems in the 1.5-litre engines mean it’s absolutely crucial you get a pre-purchase inspection done if you’re in the market for one.
In the small car class, there are plenty of good options, but for us, either Honda Civic or the Mazda 3 would be our pick.
Try to shop as far up the spec tree as you can to get as much active safety gear as possible, and try to get one with as much warranty as possible so that any mechanical issues will be covered by Honda.
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Disclaimer
Please note that pricing information is subject to fluctuations in the automotive market.
Information correct as of June 28, 2023.
The advice provided on this website is general advice only. It has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on this advice, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your own objectives, financial situation and needs.
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