2023 Honda Civic – Specs, Performance, Reliability & More

It’s hard to believe that there is anyone on planet earth that hasn’t heard of the Honda Civic. Since the first generation Civic was released in 1972, it has become one of the best-selling vehicles on nearly every continent. There’s an excellent reason for that. The Honda Civic epitomizes a mixture of impressive practicality, good chassis dynamics, affordability, and accessibility, all traits that are easy to achieve on their own but hard to condense into a single package. Luckily, the 11th-generation 2023 Honda Civic carries on the torch.

The 11th-generation Honda Civic marks a departure from the maximalist attitude that was present with the tenth generation. From the styling to the minimally invasive tech in the interior, the 11th-gen puts the power back in the hands of the driver. As 2023 is only the second model year for the 11th-gen Civic, there are quite a few changes to discuss. In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about the most recent generation of the Honda Civic including specs, interior, and exterior styling, and technical advancements.

2023 Honda Civic Trim Options

Even if you have decided that the 2023 Honda Civic is the car for you, there are other considerations to take into account before heading to the dealership. One of the primary things that you’ll need to consider is what 2023 Civic trim option will be the best for your needs. While the 2023 Civic is fundamentally the same regardless of the trim, there are some make-or-break differences between the trim options that could sway you one way or another.

Essentially, there are four trim levels available for the 2023 Honda Civic. Those include the 2023 Honda Civic LX sedan, 2023 Honda Civic Sport sedan, 2023 Honda Civic EX sedan, and 2023 Honda Civic Touring sedan. There is a $6,600 price difference between the entry LX Civic and the highest-tier Civic Touring which certainly necessitates some thought. The primary differences that differentiate the trims are engine options, internal technology, and aesthetic changes. We’ll break down the standout features of each trim level below.

2023 Honda Civic Sport Sedan – $23,100 MSRP

• Continuously Variable Transmission with Paddle Shifters
• Three-mode driving system
• Apple CarPlay Integration
• Android Auto Integration
• Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
• 18-Inch Gloss Black Alloy Wheels
• 7-Inch Display Audio with Electrostatic Touch-Screen
• Push button start and remote engine start
• Smart Entry with Walk Away Auto Lock

Honda Civic EX Sedan – $24,700 MSRP

• 180-hp, 1.5L, turbocharged DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine
• Heated front seats
• 180-watt, 8-speaker audio system
• One-Touch Power Moonroof
• Front USB ports
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback

2023 Honda Civic Touring – $28,300 MSRP

• 180-hp, 1.5L, turbocharged DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine
• LED fog lights
• Leather-trimmed seats
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and wireless Android Auto™ integration
• Wireless phone charger
• Bose Premium Audio System with 12 Speakers, Including Subwoofer
• 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
• Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™*
• Power front seat

Perhaps the most important difference between the Civic LX and Civic Sport versus the Civic EX and Civic Touring is what you find under the hood. In the first two 2023 Civic trim levels, you’ll find a 158 horsepower naturally aspirated 2.0L K20C2 4-cylinder with iVTEC variable valve timing. At the more premium trim levels, you’ll find a 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.5L L15B7 4-cylinder with iVTEC under the hood. 

Both have proven to be very solid powerhouses with very few major issues to report. Both engines are also equipped with the same Honda CVT transmission. Ultimately, if you aren’t the type of person to care about power figures, the less powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder has plenty of pep. However, if you do enjoy a bit more get-up-and-go, the turbocharged 1.5L 4-cylinder is a very impressive engine. 

Outside of the engine differences, interior tech, and exterior styling are the main differentiators between the 2023 Civic trim options. If you are in need of a quality sound system, the last two trim options are going to be your best bet. The 2023 EX sedan comes with an 8-speaker system, while the 2023 Touring ups that to a 12-speaker Bose premium system. An electronic moonroof is introduced at the EX trim level, along with heated seats and black 18” alloy wheels.

2023 Honda Civic Si

Falling outside of the standard Honda Civic lineup is the 2023 Honda Civic Si. While the base Civic isn’t known for its track pedigree, the Si has always existed as the Civic’s juiced-up brother. While the standard Civic’s main rivals are cars like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Altima, the 2023 Civic Si aims its sights at cars like the Subaru WRX and Golf GTI. With a 200-horsepower, turbocharged L15CA inline 4-cylinder under the hood, the Honda Civic Si is definitely aimed at a more sport-oriented audience. 

There are some other notable performance differences beyond the powertrain as well, the 2023 Honda Civic Si also features firmer suspension, limited slip differential, six-speed manual transmission, and some external updates as well. Unfortunately, adjustable dampers were dropped from the standard equipment on the new generation Si. With that being said, the stiffer Si suspension is still a good step up from the standard 2023 Civic suspension. 

The 2023 Honda Civic Si bridges a very good middle ground between the subdued standard model and the big and bad Honda Civic Type-R. In terms of its competition, the Civic Si is significantly down on power, with the 2023 Subaru WRX putting down 271 horsepower and the Golf GTI’s 241 horsepower. With that being said, the 2023 Honda Civic Si is notably less expensive than both with a $28,500 MSRP. 

2023 Honda Civic Type-R

The Civic Type-R is Honda’s Godzilla. When it comes to Japanese sports hatchbacks, the Type-R is always in the conversation. The previous 10th-gen FK8 Honda Civic Type-R became known for its ostentatiousness, with absurd styling akin to a 12-year-old’s imagination come true. With that being said, it was wildly capable, lapping the Nurburgring in 7:43,90. The 2023 Civic Type-R marks the return of the famed model on the redesigned Civic platform and is more subdued and civil than the last model.

Granted, it is really only more subdued in the styling department. The 11th-gen Civic Type-R is just as potent as the previous model. The 2023 Type-R is powered by the 315 horsepower K20C1, which is the most powerful engine the Honda offers in the Civic range. The K20C1 has received multiple updates from its application in the 10th-gen, including more aggressive tuning, a larger radiator, and a lighter flywheel. The 2023 Civic Type R also has improved brake cooling characteristics, an upgraded dual-axis strut front suspension setup to mitigate torque steer, and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires for increased grip. 

Ultimately, if you are looking for a rapid-track car that has above-average usability, the 2023 Honda Civic Type-R is a fantastic option. The Type-R is unquestionably the most expensive Honda Civic on sale today, with an MSRP of nearly twice the price of a base model 2023 Honda Civic. However, it’s an awesome car that’s capable of even more with tuning and basic bolt-ons like an FK8 Type R downpipe upgrade.

2023 Honda Civic Performance

While track-day performance isn’t exactly realistic to expect from a Honda Civic, handling and acceleration are two of the main considerations that make most people excited about a new car. For the 11th-generation Civic, Honda says that the new generation has received a massive overhaul in the chassis dynamics and powertrain departments. 

2023 Honda Civic Engine Options

2023 Honda Civic Engine Options	2.0L Inline-4 K20C2	1.5L Turbo I4 L17B7	1.5L Turbo I4 L15CA	2.0L Turbo I4 K20C1
Horsepower	158hp	180hp	200hp	325hp
Gas Mileage	30/37/33	30/37/33	27/37/32	22/28/24
0-60mph	7.5 sec	7.3 sec	6.7 sec	5.3 sec

As we have already briefly covered, the 2023 Honda Civic comes with the option of two engine choices. Both engines are essentially transplants from the previous tenth-generation Honda Civic, albeit with a little more power than before. The two engine options available are the 2.0L naturally aspirated K20C2 inline 4-cylinder with iVTEC variable valve timing and the 1.5L turbocharged L15B7 inline 4-cylinder, also equipped with Honda iVTEC variable valve timing. The 2.0L K20C is the base engine option for the 2023 Honda Civic, producing 158 horsepower.

The 1.5L turbocharged Honda L17B7, which is the engine option on the higher tier EX and Touring trims, produces a respectable 180 horsepower. While it might not seem like a very significant discrepancy in power, the extra oomph of the turbocharged 1.5L is not only noticeable but could be a game changer for someone who wants to have a bit more fun in their daily driver. 

Obviously, Honda has always been known for their reliable powertrains. Neither of these engines is an exception to the trend. Both the L15B7 and K20C2 engines are part of long-running engine series that Honda has been refining for over two decades at this point. As a result, neither of these engines is likely to leave you stranded as long as you keep up with routine maintenance. The 2.0L K20C might have a slight reliability advantage due to the fact that it is naturally aspirated with less potential to fail. 

11th-Generation Civic Handling and Chassis Changes

As a front-engined, front-wheel-drive car, the Honda Civic has never been considered a true performance car. With that being said, that layout can still be nimble and fun to drive. That is exactly what Honda tried to maximize with the 11th-generation Civic. The 2023 Civic received some major chassis changes. These result in an 8 percent improvement in torsional rigidity, and a 13 percent improvement in bending rigidity. 

While that might not sound like a huge improvement, you’ll certainly be able to feel the additional rigidity through tight bends and around corners. Chassis rigidity is one of the most important factors in a good-handling vehicle. The increased rigidity was the result of Honda using a substantial amount more structural adhesive, responsible for holding the underlying frame together. The 2023 Civic also uses many more structural spot welds than the previous generation Civic. These structural changes result in a Civic that not only handles better but also has improved safety characteristics too. 

In addition to the internal structural changes, the 2023 Honda Civic also received a longer wheelbase. The overall wheelbase was lengthened by 1.7 inches, making it nearly identical to a previous generation Honda Accord. The longer wheelbase isn’t ideal for tight cornering and throwing at an apex. However, that isn’t really the point of the Civic. What the longer wheelbase does improve are high-speed stability and overall predictability which the Civic delivers perfectly. 

2023 Honda Civic Exterior and Interior

For the 11th-generation Civic, Honda wanted to dedicate much more time and attention to both the interior and exterior design of the new model. That certainly shows with both the 11th-generation Civic’s refined exterior and mature interior. One of the primary complaints with the last generation’s clunky and busy exterior design, which was certainly visually intriguing in the wrong way. The tenth-generation Civic’s interior was also starting to look a bit dated at the end of the generation’s run, which has also been remedied by the new redesign.

2023 Honda Civic Exterior Design

The 2022 model year was the first to introduce the Civic’s redesign which unquestionably set a new tone for the direction of the model. All of the sharp, angular, abrasive, and uncoordinated lines and angles have been smoothed out, leaving behind a sophisticated silhouette. Honda attributes this to a redesign of the Civic’s A-pillars, moving them rearward by nearly two inches. This gives the redesigned Civic the appearance of a longer hood and slightly more aggressive stance. 

Honda also states that the character body lines have been reworked, providing a more sweeping and connected appearance from the front fender to the rear taillights. The rear roofline features a more elegant downward sweep than the previous generation as well. While the 10th-generation Civic presents as more of a hatchback, the 11th-generation Civic definitely leans more toward sedan styling. 

11th-Gen Civic Interior Styling and Cargo Volume

While the exterior redesign is more immediately noticeable, there are some big and noteworthy changes made to the new Civic’s interior too. While the 10th-generation Civic’s interior seems firmly planted in 2010, the 11th-gen’s feels fresh, elegant, and timeless. The central controls no longer feel crowded and overwhelming, with far fewer buttons and clutter. The dual-zone automatic climate control air vents are cleverly hidden behind an attractive honeycomb mesh that gives a bit of flair to the interior. The digital dash is attractive and easy to read, steering clear of the information overload trap that many other manufacturers have fallen into with their dash designs.

The 2023 Civic’s interior dimensions haven’t changed at all between 2022 and 2023. It is important to mention that there is a large discrepancy in interior volume between the hatchback and compact sedan models. In terms of overall cargo space, the 2023 Civic hatchback takes the cake by a significant amount. The standard 2023 Honda Civic sedan has 14.8 cubic feet of rear trunk space. In contrast, the Civic hatch has a whopping 24.5 cubic feet of storage space with the rear seats folded up. Despite the difference in storage space, all other interior dimensions are identical between the two models. 

2023 Honda Civic Technology

While somewhat surface level, improved technological features are another important aspect of updating a model to a new generation. That can certainly be said for the 11th-gen Civic. It features some important life-enhancing technological improvements and some important safety-related ones as well. 

When it comes to improved creature-comfort technology, the 2023 Honda Civic comes with a larger 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Honda’s own interface. For higher trim levels, the 7.0-inch display is upgraded to a 9.0-inch one. A 10.2-inch digital dashboard is also an optional extra and one that is highly recommended. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are also standard features, with wireless device charging as an available add-on and a feature included in higher-tier models. Other standard features include Honda Satelite-Linked Navigation and the Honda Sensing suite which includes collision avoidance, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control features. 

Everything You Need To Know About the 2023 Honda Civic

The changes that come with the newest 11th-generation Honda Civic model are all-encompassing and wide-sweeping. While the 11th generation started with the 2022 model year, the 2023 Honda Civic seems to have refined the new Civic format even further. After dropping the base model LX Civic, the 2023 Civic Sport is a fantastic starting point that provides plenty of value for money. The redesigned exterior and interior make the Civic’s overall experience much more mature and liveable without making it a boring car to drive.

The overall 2023 Civic package is much the same as it has always been. It is an affordable, front-wheel drive, practicality-oriented sedan/hatch that blends usability with animated performance. For that reason, anyone that has any experience with the model will feel right at home, while newcomers will enjoy the attributes that made the Civic such a popular option in the first place.