2025 Honda Civic Hybrid – The Winning Formula

Hybrids, Sedans
November 14, 2024
Dan Gunay

The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid is the best automobile for non-enthusiasts under $40,000 CAD.

The Civic is one of the most well-known nameplates the automotive industry has ever seen. It is the best-selling automobile of all time with over 30 million global sales. Since its release in the 1970s, it has offered the golden formula: an affordable and dependable four-wheel solution for the masses. Over the last few decades and 11 generations later, the Honda Civic is still the right choice for people looking for reliable transportation, but with more tech, safety, and styling.

The last generation Civic had one big problem, it had no hybrid choice in a market where Toyota sells the Corolla with a hybrid drivetrain, and almost 50% of the Corolla sales were hybrid. The new Civic is finally available with a hybrid option. Even though it is not the first time Canadians can get the Civic with a hybrid drivetrain, this is the most serious attempt that makes it an ideal choice for eco-conscious drivers who don’t want to compromise on styling or comfort, while still promising both practicality and reliability Honda is known for.

Even though the Civic is a global platform, Honda designed it with North American shoppers in mind. It looks quite bigger than the previous generations. It is almost big, if not bigger than an Accord from the earlier 2000s. Honda refreshed the Civic, but the changes are mostly minimal from the exterior. The front fascia now has a more aggressive look with a redesigned grille and front bumper. It also has updated headlights and a lower front spoiler, which is easier to notice in hybrid models.

The changes are subtle from the side profile, but the most significant one is the redesigned wheels. New colour options are also exclusive to sedans and hatchbacks. The taillights are also updated; they look darker to underline the sportier character. The car sits quite low especially compared to modern SUVs and crossovers, but it feels even lower than the direct competition.

The interior design is pretty much the same with minimal changes, which is a mixed bag. Compared to the outgoing year, there are no USB ports for the rear seat passengers. The USB ports for the front seat passengers are USB-C, but the rest of the interior is unchanged for a good reason. It is one of the most intuitive interior designs available. It has tons of physical controls, and everything feels solid in the interior.

The biggest update is the integrated Google services, which work much better than the previous infotainment system. The Civic comes standard with the 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster, which is somewhat customizable with different layouts. However, I wish Honda had integrated Google Maps into the cluster. The upper trims come with a 9-inch touchscreen and wireless smartphone integration. However, there is room for improvement when it comes to the rear-view camera resolution, especially in low-light situations.

Every generation Honda Civic gets slightly bigger, and that ultimately means more interior space. The 11th-generation Civic feels quite spacious for a compact sedan. It has tons of legroom and headroom for the front seat passengers. I found the front seats are also quite comfortable, however the driver’s seat should have come with a bolster adjustment. Even though the Civic sits quite low, it offers a commanding driving position with great visibility.

Just like the front seats, the rear seat passengers also will have no issues with the overall space. You don’t have to move the front seat all the way forward for a rear-facing child seat. It can accommodate larger adults on longer journeys. Unlike the Accord, you don’t get a lot of creature comforts, but that’s acceptable for a compact sedan. Getting in and out can be tricky if you have bad knees, due to the overall ride height.

The 11th-generation Civic offers impressive trunk space for a compact sedan, with around 14.8 cubic feet of cargo space. More importantly, it has a large trunk opening, that makes it easier to place larger items. The trunk also has a low lif-over height, making the loading and unloading process much easier. The 60/40 split folding rear seats are not uncommon, but quite important if you are carrying longer items. There are also convenient hooks and tie-down points to secure shopping bags.

The most important update for 2025 is the hybrid drivetrain that is also used in other Honda models. The Civic’s Hybrid powertrain combines a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with a two-motor hybrid system. In the past, Honda used different hybrid systems than the motors to help the gas engine, but it is completely different with the new Civic Hybrid. The system prioritizes EV driving more, the internal combustion engine kicks in when extra power is needed.

Speaking of power, this setup generates a combined output of 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque, which means it is officially the second fastest Civic after the Civic Type-R. The hybrid platform is only available in a front wheel drive format, and only available with an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT) to deliver a smooth and efficient driving. In our tests, we were averaging around 52 MPG, which is slightly better than the advertised fuel economy numbers.

Aside from excellent fuel economy, what makes the new Civic Hybrid great is the smooth driving experience. The gas engine and electric motors work in great harmony, and the transition is almost unnoticeable but also responsive whenever needed. As the system prioritizes using electric motors whenever possible, it offers extra premium feeling and lower noise, vibration and harshness levels.

Even though the powertrain is also used in other Honda models, it makes the Civic Hybrid quite peppy as it is significantly lighter. It is still not a replacement for the sportier Civic SI, but it gives you the right amount of power with unbeatable fuel economy. It has more than enough torque any time you need it thanks to the electric motor giving the maximum torque immediately. The regenerative braking can be adjusted, but it eventually goes back to the standard mode. It helps reducing the use of a brake pedal, but not completely eliminating it.

The handling is surprisingly good for an economy focused compact sedan. The steering and chassis is quite communicative and confidence inspiring. Even though the all-season tires don’t have tons of grip, it has better weight distribution than the gas-only model, due to the battery located under the rear seat. Even though it carries almost 140 kg of extra mass compared with a regular Civic, it doesn’t feel much heavier.

The 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery doesn’t seem too big on paper, but Honda has done a terrific job optimizing the charging and EV-only driving. Compared to traditional hybrid drivetrains, it focuses on all-electric driving more, which not only increases overall fuel economy, but gives the Civic more premium driving experience. The gas engine can get buzzy at higher RPMs, but it is only noticeable at wide open throttle applications.

After over 50 years, the Honda Civic continues to be a go-to choice for drivers seeking reliability, now enhanced with the latest tech and great fuel efficiency for 2025. Staying true to its roots, the 2025 Civic delivers on affordability and dependability while adapting to modern needs. Whether you’re drawn to the Civic’s practicality, stylish updates, or eco-conscious options, this generation reinforces the Civic’s legacy as an accessible option for the masses. Unless you need an all-wheel-drive, the Civic Hybrid is the ultimate one-car solution under $40,000 CAD, and it’s finally ready to take Toyota Corolla‘s lunch with the new hybrid option.

Engine	2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4 + AC motors
Transmission & Drivetrain	eCVT & front-wheel-drive
Max power (combined)	200 hp & 232 lb-ft
Battery pack	1.1 kWh lithium-ion
0-100 km/h	6.5 sec
Curb Weight	3225 lbs – 1462 kg
Fuel Economy (as tested)	51 MPG – 4.7 L/100 km
Price (as tested)	$38,761 CAD
Website:	www.honda.ca