HONDA: CIVIC

"Good performance, efficient fuel economy, and plenty of interior space make the Honda Civic a fine choice. Most versions come with a sprightly 1.7-liter four-cylinder; the uplevel EX trim makes a bit more power and returns 29 mpg overall." - (CS)

1. Top-Notch Fuel Economy

Hondas are known for getting excellent fuel economies. As far as the 2020 Honda Civic goes, it is right up there at the top of its class. With the 1.5-L turbo engine and CVT equipped, you can get up to 32 mpg in the city and 42 mpg on the highway. Impressive numbers, right? Even the 2.0-L engine can help get decent fuel economy on the base LX trim with 30 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

2. A Comfy and Sporty Ride

The Civic offers a great mix of comfort and athleticism. Its ride feels sporty enough for the average driver, and it really packs in a ton of comfort. The power-adjustable driver's seat offers a number of different configurations, and the seats themselves offer a lot of support. Making a long trip in the Civic is quite cozy whether you are up front or sitting in the rear.

3. Cabin Space

For being a small sedan, the 2020 Honda Civic has a lot of interior space that is smartly crafted for utility. There is plenty of leg room in the back, and the sunroof does not hinder head space for those sitting up front. Even head room in the back seat is ample. Most adults will not feel crunched together, unlike how they might feel in other small sedans.

4. High-quality Materials

Honda utilizes some remarkably high-quality materials in its vehicles. While this clearly is not a luxury sedan, it looks like it is made from some expensive materials. The soft-touch surfaces are a true delight, and the padding in the seats feels like it fits itself to your back, bum, and thighs. Even the plastic parts look like they are well constructed. There aren't any gaps between panels, and no rattles can be heard while driving. Overall, there is a solid build to the Civic.

5. A Powerful 1.5-L Turbocharged Engine Option

The 2.0-L engine does alright with regard to performance, but the turbo 1.5-L is the better of the two. Why is that? Well, the 1.5-L obviously gets better fuel economy, but it also packs a powerful punch. The LX hatchback's 1.5-L gets 174 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque, and the Sport hatchback gets 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque with the 6-speed manual transmission equipped. The CVT version will get you 180 hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. The 2.0-L garners 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque, which does feel more sluggish. The 1.5-L with the CVT can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds, which is swift for this segment.

6. Secure Braking

The Honda Civic sure accelerates well, but its brakes are just as impressive. The brake pedal feels natural underneath your foot, and the amount of pressure you have to apply does not feel excessive. The vehicle tracks straight on during a stop and can make a panic stop in a reasonable distance. Even if you have to slam on the brakes, you will feel a sense of security from them.

7. Precise Steering and Handling

Steering and handling are big highlights for the 2020 Honda Civic. The steering has a natural weight to it, and the way it steers seems almost effortless. Thanks to the variable-ratio system, the Civic has a straight tracking to it while rounding through corners. The wheel is thick but provides an excellent amount of feedback to the driver. The body feels composed as you round through turns, not giving a hint of body roll. Even better, the well-tuned suspension makes for a sporty ride. The Civic has a ton of spunk for a non-sport sedan.

8. Excellent Climate Control

Climate control works exceedingly well at providing air throughout the cabin. The dual-zone automatic climate control system has controls that are easy to figure out. Once you've got them sussed out, you can quickly change the settings to get the cool or warm air you need. The air conditioning feels great in the summer, and the cabin warms up quickly on chilly days.

9. Clear Visibility Around the Vehicle

The front roof pillars are slender and set wide apart, giving drivers a lot of visibility out the front and side windows. There is also a standard rear-view camera that helps you see out of the rear. The sloping roof line does infringe slightly on the view, but the camera makes it easy to get a clear view.

10. Cargo Space

Cargo space is a strong point for the 2020 Honda Civic. The 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space that the Civic offers makes it one of the most spacious trunks in its class. You can push the seats down and use the pulls to get the seats to fold. This huge opening helps to maximize available cargo space so you can tote bulkier items around.

1. American Honda History

Years before Honda began selling automobiles in the United States, this Japanese manufacturer established a U.S. subsidiary, American Honda Motor Co. in 1959. The company established its headquarters in Los Angeles and immediately began to market its line of motorcycles. By the mid-1960s it was an established leader, adding trail bikes to reach a younger audience.

In 1969, Honda introduced its first car, the N600, to the Hawaiian market and then to three western states, including California. Originally sold through motorcycle dealerships, Honda realized that Americans preferred shopping for cars through car dealerships, something it began to do in 1973 as the Honda Civic went on sale. 2. First-Generation Honda Civic

Honda’s entrance into the US car market was perfect timing. When the Honda Civic, its first widely available model went on sale, America was experiencing the first of two gas shortages that sent up fuel prices and had consumers looking at smaller, fuel-efficient cars. The Honda Civic was an all-new model, replacing the Honda 1300 it had sold in Japan.

The original Honda Civic was introduced in 1972 as a 1973 model, that vehicle was available as a coupe, a three-door hatchback, and a five-door hatchback. The first-generation Honda Civic featured an 1169 cc engine and had power disc brakes, reclining front bucket seats, and an AM/FM radio, equipment not offered or costing customers extra in competing, mostly American models. Immediately, Honda established a reputation for providing value, laying the foundation for model and brand success.

3. Modern Honda Civics

By 2000, the Honda Civic had completed its sixth generation, with a newly refreshed seventh=generation model released just before the turn of the millennium. That vehicle was sold in coupe and sedan configurations with a special Si three-door hatchback also available. It also marked the beginning of the Civic’s move from a subcompact to a compact model, following the Accord’s earlier move to a midsize model from a compact.

The seventh-generation Honda Civic also welcomed its first hybrid model, outfitted with a 1.3-liter gasoline engine and paired with a five-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission. The 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid was rated at 38 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway.

Honda began stretching out the model generations for the Civic beginning with the seventh-generation edition, taking five years before the eighth-generation model was introduced. By then, the Honda brand was adding new models including its first pickup truck and a midsize crossover model.

4. Tuners and Modifiers

Through the years, the Honda Civic has won numerous awards including Car of the Year recognition from Road & Track, Motor Trend and Automobile magazines. It has also been recognized as a top tuner car, a category that describes vehicles that are fun to drive and modify, according to Popular Mechanics.

Mugen Motorworks, a wholly-owned Honda subsidiary, has long been at the forefront of tuning Honda engines including those that power the Civic. Civic fans are known for swapping out their original engines for higher-displacement Honda engines in a bid to compete with the Volkswagen GTI, Mitsubishi’s Lancer Evolution, the Scion tC, and other models.

More than four decades have passed since the Honda Civic took to America’s roadways. This model has grown and evolved through the years, but it hasn’t lost its status as having one of the best resale values of any car on the road.