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The Civic is one of Honda's most popular sedans - with seven generations under its belt. But which is the best year for the Honda Civic?

One of the best compact automobiles on the market is the Honda Civic. The Civic wins in every category, including fuel economy, performance, safety, reliability, cargo space. While it is more expensive than much of its competition, we believe it is well worth the money - provided you choose the right model.

The 2019 Honda Civic is a hit with critics and is considered the best in Honda's Civic line. The 2019 Civic is regarded as a comeback model for the brand since it appealed to many drivers following some less-than-stellar model years.

The 2019 Honda Civic is available in three body designs and up to six trim levels, ranging from the entry-level LX to the performance-oriented SI. It is a very reliable vehicle, with only two recalls to date. The 2019 Civic has received top grades from both the NHTSA and the IIHS, indicating that it is a safe and fantastic car overall.

After driving multiple Civic models over the years, we believe that the 2019 Honda Civic is definitely worth considering. With proper oil changes, tire rotation, and scheduled maintenance, you can expect the car to last for years on end.

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2019 Honda Civic

With its mix of practicality and fun-to-drive performance, the 2019 Honda Civic defines compact-car greatness. The 2019 Civic portfolio comprises of a hatchback, a four-door sedan, and a two-door coupe. It comes with two great four-cylinder engines and either a six-speed manual transmission or a smooth-shifting Continuous Variable Automatic Transmission (CVAT).

So drivers looking for sportiness don't need to buy a sports car, and those looking for practicality don't need to buy a crossover because the Honda Civic 2019 offers it all and that too at a reasonable price. While the compact vehicle isn't without flaws, it excels in almost every other area and is rated as the top of its class.

Overview

The Honda Civic is one of Honda's most well-known vehicles. Since its introduction in 1973, the attractive and compact sedan has been hailed for its style, affordable pricing, and fuel economy.

The greatest year for the Honda Civic is 2019, based only on the overall number of complaints. This model year has fewer complaints than any other year, and to boot, it is also highly durable. The 2019 model is available in a two-door coupe, four-door sedan, and hatchback, giving drivers plenty of options. It also does well in safety tests. If you're in the market for a car right now, the 2019 Honda Civic is a fantastic choice.

The 2019 Civic features a comfortable and spacious interior. It delivers a smooth ride, has plenty of features, and has earned high safety ratings. However, some critics complain of the vehicle's somewhat tepid acceleration, which ranks the crossover in the middle among other vehicles in its class.

Most drivers switch to crossovers instead of sedans, but the Honda Civic won't be a part of this trend anytime soon. The tenth-generation Civic has sold over one million units since its November 2015 debut. It is currently Honda's second-best-selling vehicle, but will the revised 2019 Honda Civic be enough to maintain the momentum?

Our long-term 2016 Civic was a quality product, displaying much of Honda's engineering wizardry. However, we discovered certain areas for improvement, most of which have been addressed with the 2019 Honda Civic.

The audio system's touch slider bar has been replaced with a volume knob for starters. A column of new physical buttons sits above it, which are more gratifying and responsive than the capacitive touch buttons they have replaced. Although we wish Honda upgraded it to the more intuitive and snappy next-gen interface available in other Honda vehicles, such as the Insight, the touch screen section of the Display Audio System remains mostly unchanged.

External style modifications are largely seen upfront and are subtle. For example, the massive chrome bar has been replaced with a black one, and the bottom bumper has been redesigned. The unique C-shaped tail lights on the back remain unaltered.

Performance

The overall performance of the Civic 2019 is well above average. Honda's efforts to decrease cabin noise are a fantastic addition. More sound reduction techniques have been added to the Civic's floor, trunk, and front fenders, as well as new rear fender insulation.

Thankfully, the additional sound insulation and volume knob did not add too much weight. The car weighs 2,936 pounds, and the 2.0-liter naturally aspirated I-4, the 1.5-liter turbo-four, and the Civic Type R's high-strung 2.0-liter turbo-four return for the front-wheel-drive Civic. Depending on the trim, you can choose between a six-speed manual and a continuously variable transmission (Civic Si and Type R are manual only).

The 1.5-liter turbo-four in our 2019 Civic Touring tester is mated to a CVT and produces 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. The engine and CVT work well together, and the power is adequate.

We noticed the Civic's seamless power delivery during our testing. We achieved a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 15.2 seconds, identical to our previous 2016 Civic. It completed a figure-eight lap in 26.6 seconds, and the test team deemed it a simple car to drive quickly.

Honda Sensing is now standard on every trim level for the 2019 model year, another significant upgrade. Honda Sensing incorporates a lane departure warning system, automatic high-beams, lane keep assist, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control (with low-speed follow). With that in mind, the updated 2019 Civic's outstanding value, impressive efficiency, and clever engineering serve as a reminder of why Honda's car has been a sector leader for over 40 years.

The Civic's four-cylinder engines are quick, and we favor the more expensive—but more powerful—turbocharged version. It's an excellent engine. It eagerly drags the car away from stop lights. While we favor the light and precise action of the six-speed manual over the CVT, the CVT is far from a bad match—in fact, it's one of the best on the market.

Safety

The 2019 Civic model achieved an overall five-star score from the NHTSA. After avoiding crashes in 12- and 25-mph tests, the 2019 Civic got a Good score in crashworthiness tests and a Superior rating in the front crash prevention test from the IIHS (Superior is the highest score in the front crash prevention test).

The Honda Sensing suite, which includes forward crash warning, automatic emergency braking, lane exit warning, lane-keeping support, adaptive tour control, and road exit alleviation, is now standard on all 2019 Civics. The Honda LaneWatch feature is only available on higher trim levels.

The Civic is a good choice for consumers who value safety. It has good crash-test scores. Every Civic also comes equipped with a number of driver-assistance systems, including an automatic forward-collision and high-beams warning. Honda Sensing is the umbrella under which these functions are grouped. The following are important safety features:

  • Standard lane-keeping assistance
  • Adaptive cruise control
  • Automatic emergency braking

Real-World MPG and Fuel Economy

Honda demonstrates that power and efficiency do not have to be mutually exclusive. Both Civic four-cylinder engines consume a lot of fuel, but the turbocharged engine manages to achieve somewhat better fuel economy than the base 2.0-liter used in lower-level Civic coupes and sedans.

Cargo, Interior, and Infotainment

The Civic's interior is wide, with ample storage space, and it is modern and even practical in style. While it doesn't have the most optional convenience and comfort features in the compact class, it has more than enough for any small-car buyer. The sedan's interior is more spacious than the coupe's, although the coupe's back seats are practically useless for someone of above-average height.

The addition of a long-awaited volume knob for the audio system, as well as the buttons, has greatly improved Honda's touch screen interface. Our top-tier Touring sedan test car's 7.0-inch touch screen displayed navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, among other goodies.

Two USB ports and a single 12-volt outlet are included in the front compartment. Unfortunately, no USB port or 12-volt outlet makes it past the Civic's front seats, leaving rear-seat passengers unattached.

Warranty and Maintenance

Customers looking for the finest warranty coverage should consider the 2019 Civic model. Honda does not offer free planned maintenance, which is a benefit given by competitors like the Toyota Corolla or Chevy Cruze.

  • There is no free planned maintenance
  • The power train warranty is valid for five years or 60,000 miles
  • A three-year or 36,000-mile limited warranty is included

What's New in the Year 2019?

The 2019 Civic series gets a multitude of updates, including minor, aesthetic adjustments, new standard features, and the Sport name being extended to the sedan and coupe. The addition of hard buttons and a volume knob to the touch screen, which was previously considered useless and annoying, is perhaps the most underrated change.

Aside from that, the coupe and sedan sport a cleaner front-end design and new standard driver-assistance technologies. While Sport level is now available in all body styles, only the hatchback version boasts the 180-hp four-cylinder with an additional 22 horsepower.

The sedan and sport coupe share the same blacked-out look as the sedan, as well as stronger suspension tuning. Improved sound insulation, updated steering-wheel controls, and larger cup holders are standard on all Civic variants.

Best Year Honda Civic – 2019

Yes, the 2019 Honda Civic is a good used small car that shines in most areas. In fact, Honda sold roughly 326,000 Civics in 2019, and it was the year's best-selling compact car. The 2019 Civic is one of the final years of the 10th generation; thus, it doesn't get the latest 2021 advancements, but it does have the modern redesign from 2015.

The 2019 Civic has a 4.6-star rating out of five, indicating that it is a car worth investing in. Only 5% were three stars or lower, and 69 percent were five stars or higher.

What Are the Issues with the 2019 Honda Civic?

The NHTSA has only issued two recalls for the 2019 Honda Civic, both of which are related to a faulty fuel pump. The brakes and fuel systems were the most common complaints.

However, high-mileage models are hard to come by, particularly because the 2019 Civic is still a new model. Nonetheless, it is highly durable, and according to reports, most Civics can travel at least 200,000 miles or even more with proper maintenance.

Honda recommends replacing the oil and oil filter every 7,500 miles and then every 15,000 miles after that. The AC should be tested at 15,000 miles and every 3,000 after that. The external lighting, suspension, and wheels should all be balanced along with other components.

How Is the Honda Civic 2019 Different From Other Sedans?

The main competitors of the Honda Civic 2019 are the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, and Hyundai Elantra. The Civic outperforms the Elantra in terms of performance, with its 201-horsepower 1.6-liter engine. Most models are comparable in terms of price; however, the Elantra is the least expensive entry-level option, with a Fair Purchase Price of $18,600, over $3,000 less than a base Civic.

While a variant with greater headroom or a simpler touch screen may be available, the Civic 2019 is the clear champion in its class. The 2019 Honda Civic is a wonderful car that is sure to deliver on most fronts, whether it's longevity, reliability, fuel economy, or performance.

The Honda Civic is a popular economic car with a sporty appearance and excellent performance. That isn't to say that there haven't been better cars along the way, which owners and future buyers should be aware of.

Overall Thoughts

The Civic strikes a near-perfect mix between comfort and driver engagement, making it a true jack-of-all-trades. Thanks to its sport drive, responsive steering, and smooth ride dynamics, it's a joy to drive in any condition. The 2019 Civic's ride quality is ideal, neither soft nor rough. Its efficient steering and handling make rolling in the streets more fun.

Best Year Honda Civic

About The Author

Charles Redding

Charles Redding

I've spent many years selling cars, working with auto detailers, mechanics, dealership service teams, quoting and researching car insurance, modding my own cars, and much more.

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