Canadians have been in love with the Civic pretty much since day one. There’s a good reason why it’s been the best-selling car in Canada for several decades, representing smart value thanks to its reliability, fuel efficiency, and sporty demeanour. With the addition of the 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid to the lineup, that sense of value only gets better, but I can’t help but wonder how this upstart competes with the Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid of all time.

The new Prius is good, period. Toyota knocked it out of the park with this latest iteration, blending the fuel economy it’s known for with looks and a sense of sportiness you just never would’ve expected. The Civic Hybrid challenges that notion with more traditional but still-handsome looks, and perhaps a more practical interior in this hatchback tester. Since Toyota doesn’t do a hybrid Corolla hatch, it’s up to the Prius to battle Honda’s one-two punch. I loved the Prius when I reviewed it last year, but this Civic Hybrid hatchback is one heck of a punch.

What’s new for 2025?

Honda gave the Civic a refresh for 2025 outside and under the skin. The new hybrid powertrain replaces the 1.5-litre turbo-four found in the previous Touring trim, but all other powertrain options remain. This includes the normally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder in the base Civic, as well as the spicier Si and souped-up Civic Type R. Along with the powertrain, the 2025 Civic gets a nip-and-tuck all around; our hatchback tester features a restyled front bumper design, as well as a new wheel design. Finished in Boost Blue—a new colour for 2025 which turned many heads during my week with it—I’d say the hatchback is the best-looking Civic currently available.

Inside, don’t expect any wild or outrageous changes, but that’s a good thing. The high-grade materials and minimalist layout remain, with the only big change being the upsized nine-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment. Our range-topping Sport Touring tester includes leather seating, power-adjustable front seats, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There’s ample legroom and headroom regardless of where you sit, even for taller adults, and cargo space measures nearly 700 litres with the seats up.

How does the Civic Hybrid drive?

I didn’t think the hybrid would result in such a big improvement in performance. A 2.0-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder engine works with the electric end of the powertrain to produce 200 horsepower, and more importantly, 232 pound-feet of torque. It feels quicker in a straight line than the Si, so unless you really want a manual transmission, you may as well go hybrid. It helps that Honda’s CVTs are one of the better units out there, keeping the powertrain in the sweet spot without making the engine drone too much.

Handling is another strong point for the Civic Hybrid, feeling quite nimble even when sporting winter tires. Steering feels wonderful, with good weight and feel that is normally missing in the segment; I don’t doubt with stickier summer tires, the hybrid would be fun on twisty roads. Ride quality feels comfortable and absorbs potholes and imperfections with relative ease. I did encounter some wind noise at higher speeds on the highway, but I just turned up my music.

The real reason you buy a Civic Hybrid is the fuel efficiency, and the hatch is no different than the sedan. It’s rated at 4.8 L/100 km in the city, 5.4 highway, and 5.0 combined. During our test week, I achieved 5.9 L/100 km—a good bit higher than the official numbers, but respectable given the cold weather and my frequent use of the remote start. Best of all, the Civic happily accepts regular-grade fuel.

Well, is the Civic Hybrid worth it?

Pricing is a strong point that favours the hybrid Civic hatchback. Starting at $35,500 for the base Sport Hybrid trim, and with our tester coming in at $39,300 as-tested, this is a steal for what you get. Sure, it might seem crazy at first to spend almost $40,000 on a Civic, but it’s roomier and costs as much as some “subcompact” crossovers out there. It also undercuts the Prius, which comes only with all-wheel-drive, by a good margin.

In the past, buying a Toyota Prius made a statement, for better or worse. The latest model shed that reputation, but the 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid is a compelling alternative. The Prius is slightly better on gas, has AWD, and is more eye-catching, but the Civic lower price tag, fun-to-drive nature, and legitimately roomy interior make it a winner especially if you like to have fun behind the wheel.