Honda has rarely missed with the Civic. Yes, a few models were lukewarm at best, and some years were missing the spicier Si and/or Type R versions, but the Civic is a big source of pride for Honda. This still shows with the latest 11th-generation car: Honda took the lead in the compact sedan segment and even lapped a few of its competitors when it debuted a few years ago, and now, they’re doing it all over again with the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring Hybrid.
The 11th-generation model was released in 2021 for the 2022 model year, and with it came a shift from the very Gundam-esque styling to a cleaner, more timeless look that hearkens back to Civics (and Accords) of old. It’s a compact car, but the Civic’s proportions have grown over the years, and this latest-gen model looks more Accord than it ever has. For 2025, Honda has given the Civic a minor refresh aesthetically, with slightly revised front and rear fascias, as well as new paint colours and wheels. Inside, I have no notes — the Civic remains one of the nicest, most gimmick-free designs in the segment.
Speaking of the Civic’s new colours, this tester is finished in a new shade Honda calls Blue Lagoon. I adore it; it’s somehow attention-grabbing without being too shouty. The new 18-inch wheels also look great, and even have a clever hollow channel running through the centre that helps reduce road noise, according to Honda. There are some tweaks to the Civic’s front- and rear-end styling, but spotting the differences is the equivalent of playing a game of Where’s Waldo.
Inside, the near-perfect interior carries over unchanged. The simple layout, clean digital gauge cluster, and a nine-inch touchscreen for the infotainment — plus physical buttons, switchear, and knobs — all make you feel right at home. There’s a traditional shift lever, too, instead of the somewhat confusing shift buttons you’d find on other Honda models. The beauty of the Civic is that virtually anyone can hop in and figure it all out; this refresh changes none of that. The one thing Honda did change — they’ve added built-in Google Maps — only makes things easier. And I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: I think the 12-speaker Bose sound system in the Civic might be one of Bose’s best offerings, regardless of price point.
Nothing in the Civic’s interior feels particularly low rent, either. Overall material quality and fit-and-finish is great. The one-piece metallic vent grille running across the dashboard is the highlight here, giving off a shockingly premium vibe. If I have to nitpick, the lower door panels might feel low-rent to some, but the Civic’s strength is in its simplicity.
What perhaps isn’t so simple is the marvel of engineering that is Honda’s latest hybrid powertrain. Sharing tech from the Accord, this hybrid powertrain is a big update to the Civic for 2025, and it might be one of the smoothest I’ve ever driven. It starts with a simple 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to two electric motors, one used as a generator and the other powering the (front) wheels directly. There’s a CVT involved as well, but before you say yuck, Honda essentially saved the CVT from the depths of hell. Honda’s simulates shifts masterfully and avoids any of the rubber-band feeling you may have experienced from the early days of CVTs.
The Civic can switch between EV, hybrid, and gas-only power as needed, and it does it so seamlessly that you’re often looking down at the power meter to make sure. This isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so don’t expect much EV-only range from the 1.1 kWh battery, but you’ll usually pull away from your neighbourhood in silence before the quiet gas engine kicks in. Total power output is 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque — yes, that matches the Si in horsepower and bests it in torque rather significantly. And with a weight penalty of just under 300 pounds, dare I say the Civic hybrid feels more sprightly than the supposedly sportier Si, even with only two pedals.
And Honda injects some sportiness into everything they make, so the suspension and mechanicals underpinning this Civic Hybrid aren’t boring. Aside from the low rolling resistance tires that are allergic to cornering grip, it feels quite athletic around town and gives you confidence behind the wheel. The already excellent chassis sees a slew of revisions to the suspension and some chassis stiffening, resulting in an almost entry-level luxury car feel down the road. It’s doubt aided by the lack of noise from those eco tires and the active noise cancellation, both specific to the Civic Hybrid.
The suspension tuning and chassis are such a delight that even with the additional weight of the hybrid, this thing would be an absolute hoot with the Si’s wheel and tire combo. Heck, there’s no automatic Si; Honda should just throw the Si seats into this thing, change the tires, and call it that. I mean, it’s technically faster in a straight line. It’s really that good.
I know you’re waiting for the other foot to drop, and that’s pricing. Our fully loaded 2025 Honda Civic Sport Touring Hybrid tester comes in at well under $40,000 — $37,100 as-tested, to be exact. Between that enticing price tag, its efficient new hybrid powertrain, stylish and well-appointed interior, Honda rarely misses with the Civic.
