Honda Civic Saloon (2018 – 2020) Review

Honda Civic Saloon (2018 – 2020) At A Glance

4/5

+More comfortable ride than the hatchback. Available with new nine-speed automatic gearbox

-Rear headroom is tight for taller passengers due to sloping roofline. Infotainment system is clunky and fiddly. No 1.5 VTEC engine.

Insurance Groups are between 15–19
On average it achieves 70% of the official MPG figure

While Honda may no longer sell the Accord in the UK, that doesn't mean you can't get a decent sized four-door Honda with a boot. The Civic Saloon effectively replaces the Accord in the Honda line up and offers a surprising amount of room for a car based on a family hatchback.

The four-door Civic is similar in size to a Skoda Octavia and is usefully practical for a saloon with a bigger boot than the hatchback - close to 520 litres - although obviously with less versatility, not helped by a high boot lip. But on the plus side, there's good legroom in the back, even if head room is compromised by that swooping roofline.

It's designed more for comfort than the hatchback, with a softer suspension set-up that will appeal to drivers spending hours on the motorway. As a result, it deals better with poor road surfaces yet still handles more than capably with little roll in corners and impressive levels of grip. 

There's a simple engine line-up with the 1.0 VTEC Turbo - our choice for most buyers - available with either a manual or CVT gearbox. There's no 1.5 VTEC Turbo, but the 1.6 i-DTEC is available as a manual or with a new nine-speed automatic - the latter designed to improve economy.

Around town the Civic Saloon is easy to manouevre, although rear visibility isn't the best due to the thick rear pillars. Fortunately, parking sensors front and back are standard on all models, while SR and EX models get a rearview camera.

While the fit and finish of the Civic is excellent, the one thing that lets the interior down is the infotainment system. It's long been a criticism of Honda models and that's still the case here. It's fiddly to use, doesn't look great and just doesn't seem at all user-friendly. 

While most people will stick with the standard Civic hatchback, the saloon does have appeal, especially if you can get a deal on one. It's more comfortable than the hatch and just as easy to drive while there's plenty of room in the back and a useful boot.

Real MPG average for a Honda Civic Saloon (2018 – 2020)

RealMPG

Real MPG was created following thousands of readers telling us that their cars could not match the official figures.

Real MPG gives real world data from drivers like you to show how much fuel a vehicle really uses.

Average performance

70%

Real MPG

32–71 mpg

MPGs submitted

41

Diesel or petrol? If you're unsure whether to go for a petrol or diesel (or even an electric model if it's available), then you need our Petrol or Diesel? calculator. It does the maths on petrols, diesels and electric cars to show which is best suited to you.

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Ask Honest John

What is the best automatic diesel car for taxi use?

"What is the best automatic diesel car for taxi use please?"
Skoda Superb. Great value for money, practical and cheap to run. Also consider a Vauxhall Insignia or, if you'd prefer something a bit smaller, a Honda Civic.
Answered by Andrew Brady

Why doesn't Honda sell the Accord anymore?

"If the Honda Accord is such a good car, how come Honda has stopped selling them in the UK?"
UK consumers are buying fewer and fewer cars like the Accord, Avensis, Mondeo and Insignia as everyone wants an SUV instead. If people do want a car of that size/shape, they'd usually prefer something premium like a BMW 3 Series. The new Honda Civic saloon is much bigger than previous Civics and essentially replaces the Accord in the Honda range.
Answered by Andrew Brady
More Questions

What does a Honda Civic Saloon (2018 – 2020) cost?