Honda Civic Hybrid Hatchback: Car of the Year Finalist
The Honda Civic has consistently impressed, earning finalist spots in our Car of the Year program in both 2022 and 2025. The latest iteration, the Civic Hybrid Hatchback, aims to continue this trend, showcasing its strengths in performance and efficiency. This hatchback stands out with its engaging driving experience, excellent fuel economy, and versatile design, available in Sport and Sport Touring trims.
Under the hood, the Civic Hybrid Hatchback combines a 2.0-liter inline-four engine with an electric motor, delivering a combined 200 horsepower and 232 lb-ft of torque. In our tests, it accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.3 seconds, outperforming the Toyota Prius, our 2024 Car of the Year winner. The Civic's precise steering and controlled handling make it enjoyable on winding roads, blending city practicality with sporty performance.
One unique feature is its simulated shifts. The powertrain briefly reduces power at peak revs to mimic the feel of a conventional automatic transmission. This is enhanced by engine noise piped into the cabin, helping to minimize droning sounds and creating a more engaging driving experience.
Safety is another area where the Civic Hybrid Hatchback excels. Its adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assist systems provide confident and accurate assistance at high speeds. The driver information display uses a graphic of a Civic hatchback to communicate the behavior of these systems, showing brake light activation and displaying the road ahead with impressive accuracy.
The Civic also boasts strong crash test performance, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.
Despite its many strengths, the Civic Hybrid Hatchback has a few minor drawbacks. The cabin can be noisy at times, and while its fuel economy is excellent at 50/45/48 mpg (city/highway/combined), the Prius achieves even better figures.
Overall, the Honda Civic Hybrid Hatchback is a highly recommendable vehicle, with a compelling combination of features. Its attractive design, spacious and thoughtfully designed interior, efficiency, affordability, and exceptional driving experience make it a strong contender for the Golden Calipers.
During our 2026 Car of the Year (COTY) testing, each vehicle is evaluated based on efficiency, design, safety, engineering excellence, value, and performance of intended function. Eligible vehicles must be either all-new or significantly revised.
