2025 Honda Civic hybrid review: Australian first drive

As part of a mid-model refresh, Honda has made adjustments to the line-up for the 2025 Honda Civic range.

The entry-level petrol engine has been retired, with the new Civic e:HEV L hybrid filling the position, while the e:HEV LX variant available previously carries on. Performance buyers still have the turbocharged Civic Type R without hybrid assistance to scratch the go-fast itch, but the mainstream range joins Honda's expanding range of hybrid variants.

In the spectrum of midlife updates, the Civic’s is only minor. There are styling changes up front with a new grille and bumper, new alloy wheels, and a revised range of colours but the external cues are subtle.

On the inside, Honda has added a new Google-based infotainment system. It uses a same-sized 9.0-inch display but ramps up connected services.

Is the switch to an all-hybrid line-up for the Honda Civic a smart move? We spent a week in the updated car to find out.

The big news for the Civic range is the introduction of a new, cheaper hybrid model officially called the Civic e:HEV L. It joins the range alongside the e:HEV LX available previously.

Under Honda’s no-negotiation pricing model, the new Civic starts from $49,900 drive-away nationwide. That sounds like a lot of money, but the entry-level Civic is far from a base model.

Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights with auto high beam, keyless entry and start, heated front seats and steering wheel, leather-accented interior with cloth seat inserts, dual-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

While it’s the headline act for the updated Civic, the new e:HEV L variant wasn't available for testing on this occasion. Instead, we spent time in the top-spec e:HEV LX version.

Pricing has risen by $900 to $55,900 drive-away – the first and only price rise since the model was first introduced in December 2022.

Over the L version, the LX gains additional equipment including a panoramic opening sunroof with powered blind, wireless phone charger, full-leather seats, power-adjustable front seats, auto-dimming interior mirror, and small interior details like a sunglasses holder, gloss black interior trims, and ambient illumination.

Both models use the same 2.0-litre engine and two-motor hybrid system with 135kW and 315Nm outputs. The range revisions also see safety gaps in older models closed, with rear-seat side airbags and a front-seat centre airbag across the range (previously missing from the non-hybrid LX model).

Perhaps the most obvious traditional rival for the Civic, the Toyota Corolla, is a fair bit cheaper in top-spec ZR Hybrid guise. The hatch is priced from $39,100 while the sedan is $40,260, both before on-road costs – that’s around $43–$44K on the road depending where you live.

Peugeot has recently introduced a mild-hybrid version of the 308 GT hatch. It’s the single internal combustion model in the range, priced from $48,990 plus on-road costs. It’s sold alongside a low-volume electric model priced from $65,990 drive-away.

If something with a more premium badge catches your eye, the Audi A3 35 TFSI starts from $50,600 plus on-road costs, positioning it quite close to the Civic e:HEV LX. Unlike the Honda's pricing, it's negotiable too, but the equipment list may not match the all-inclusive nature of the Civic.

Externally, the Civic hasn't changed much. The same main body structure is used as before, dictating the same interior space. 

While it looks like a sedan in profile, the Civic is a hatchback, or more of a lift-back with a flowing roof line that makes it look less like an upright, utilitarian hatch. The interior space inside is incredibly impressive – with the one caveat being that the seats are very low.

I’m a fan of a low driving position and usually don’t dial in extra height on the driver’s seat of most cars, but the Civic has me almost below the dash and door level, barely able to see out. It’s impressive, and should suit taller drivers well, but may not be a perfect match for anyone with restricted mobility.

The head room is decent up front, and there’s good room for the driver and front passenger in all directions. Heated seats and dual-zone climate control on both variants is a nice feature, and the heated steering wheel is sure to be a winner in winter.

Front seat storage is modest. There’s a pair of cupholders and a small wireless charge tray. The lidded console offers storage to keep things from view and is a touch more generous. The front doors have bottle holders, but you may struggle to find a place for your jumbo Stanley cup.

The panoramic roof in the top-spec LX version is huge and, with a powered block-out blind, makes it easy to adjust the interior light and temperature. The Civic misses out on driver’s seat memory and front seat cooling, a couple of features that could make a big difference in justifying the price and positioning of this model.

Like the front seats, rear occupants have to hunker low, but once inside there’s space to stretch out with generous leg room and decent, though not class-leading, head room. Bending over to secure little ones in car seats may be more of a challenge.

The rear seats are equipped with a fold-down armrest, a pair of USB-C ports (along with two up front), and air vents. The kind of inclusions you’d expect for a hatch of this size without going overboard.

Under the manual tailgate there’s 409 litres of luggage capacity with the rear seats up. The manual tailgate reveals a wide aperture, but there is a slight load lip to lift over. Boot space is wide and deep, with a floor that has a slight raised section that leads into the folded rear seats.

The shallow space under the floor is enough to stash your reusable grocery bags, but nothing too bulky. Instead of a full-size or space-saver spare, the Civic hybrid comes with a tyre repair kit.

The 9.0-inch infotainment screen in the Honda Civic may look familiar, occupying the same footprint as before, but the operating system now adds Google built-in services.

While we weren't able to make full use of the system on this launch drive, the system allows access to Google Assistant, navigation via Google Maps, link to compatible smart home devices (and lets you turn on lights and air conditioning before you get home), and add apps from the Google Play store.

Honda Connect services also provide a link between your smartphone and the car, allowing you to remotely adjust the climate control, lock or unlock the car, check the vehicle location, and receive car status checks. A three-year subscription is included.

You can also use Apple CarPlay (wirelessly) and Android Auto (wired), AM/FM/DAB radio, or Bluetooth. Honda’s native interface is clearly optimised for use on the road with large, high-contrast icons and a menu structure that groups menus in an intuitive way.

Physical home and back buttons are available beside the screen, as well as skip buttons and a volume knob. Small details that make the system easier to use and rely on muscle memory without the need to divert your eyes from the road.

The 12-speaker Bose audio system is surprisingly good for this class of car. It’s not the most high-end system, but it delivers great clarity and punchy bass.

The Honda Civic hybrid range carries a five-star safety rating from local test authority ANCAP. The rating is based on 2022 testing and is valid until December 2028.

The Civic’s individual section scores break down to an 89 per cent protection rating for both adult and child occupants, 82 per cent for vulnerable road user protection, and 83 per cent for safety assist systems.

With the move to an all hybrid (mainstream) model range, Honda has stamped out the differences in safety equipment that used to exist between the petrol and hybrid Civic.

All models come with 11 airbags (with rear-seat side and centre airbags previously not part of the hybrid equipment list).

Driver assist systems include Honda Sensing, which incorporates forward collision warning and autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow and traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and auto high beam.

Outside of Honda Sensing, the Civic also comes with blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitoring (behaviour based, rather than a driver-facing camera), front and rear park sensors, and a rear-view camera with dynamic guideline, but no 360-degree camera.

Honda’s tuning of the driver support systems is sensible, without setting any new benchmarks. The adaptive cruise control can occasionally let the follow distance get too close for a slowing lead vehicle (and seemed to struggle most when behind a trailer or unusually shaped load), but the lane keeping was smart and comfortable to use.

All new Honda cars in Australia come with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years' roadside assist. Beyond the standard warranty owners are offered a warranty extension plan called Honda Extend.

For eligible vehicles that meet their service requirements through an authorised Honda service centre, up to three years' additional warranty and roadside assistance are available.

Honda also applies warranty extensions at the time of sale on some special offer and runout vehicles, so it pays to check the Honda website for applicable offers.

Honda's capped-price servicing is one of the most affordable in Australia too. Each of the first five service visits is capped at $199 for scheduled maintenance, and service intervals are set at 12 months or 10,000km, whichever comes first.

The $995 for five years' servicing on the Civic compares to $1225 for a Toyota Corolla hybrid or $1900 for a Peugeot 308.

A comprehensive insurance quote for the Civic e:HEV LX came to $2154 for 12 months' cover. With the same driver details we were quoted $1907 for a Corolla ZR hatch and $1677 for a Peugeot 308. Our quote pricing is based on a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

Combined fuel consumption, in a mix of highway and city driving, is rated at 4.2 litres per 100 kilometres. The highway-use cycle is officially listed at 5.5L/100km, while urban consumption is rated at a remarkably low 2.0L/100km.

While I couldn’t match Honda’s urban-only claim, I ended up using 5.0L/100km in town. Much higher than the claim, but still very reasonable for what is usually the thirstiest driving scenario.

On flowing highway runs, consumption drops under Honda’s 5.5L/100km claim. After a week of mixed driving conditions, consumption settled at 4.8L/100km.

With a 40-litre fuel tank driving range should be just a touch over 830km at our recorded consumption. Regular 91-octane unleaded petrol is suitable to run, with no need for premium petrol.

The Honda Civic shines as one of the best small cars from behind the wheel.

It’s engaging and responsive without going too far into the realm of uncomfortable or twitchy. The hybrid powertrain helps here too. It’s so smooth and linear from a standstill, with no hesitation, and a perky willingness in city traffic.

The powertrain system always prioritises electric running, and the petrol engine usually only chips in from very cold starts, or when battery charge is running low. As a self-managed system, the driver doesn’t need to do anything.

The E-CVT automatic runs like an EV at low speeds, and can use the petrol engine to drive the wheels at higher speeds. Rather than slurring or any stretchy feel under acceleration, Honda’s transmission feels smart and direct.

The regenerative braking that feeds power back to the battery when coasting can be adjusted via steering wheel paddles. In slow-traffic crawls the brakes can feel a little notchy, but at higher speeds, the brake feel improves, and there’s no obvious switch from regenerative braking to friction brakes.

Perhaps a little of the Type R DNA has rubbed off here, but the Civic’s steering is direct, quick to respond, and nicely weighted through corners. It’s also settled and smooth on straight runs with no twitching or nervousness in a straight line.

The Civic hybrid range rolls on Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres. Arguably a little more sporting than an eco-focussed hybrid really needs, but these help with the dynamic driver feel.

The downside is that they’re not the quietest tyres. On rural roads you’ll notice road noise creeps up.

The slim tyre sidewalls also make it harder for the suspension to soak up smaller imperfections. The ride is a little taut, so on raggedy road surfaces you’ll feel more of what’s happening beneath the car, but the balance is never too firm or uncomfortable.

The Honda Civic hybrid range is not rated to tow, and Honda does not have an available towing capacity for this car. Similarly, Honda Australia doesn't offer a genuine roof-rack set for the Civic, so your load carrying is limited to what can fit in the boot and interior.

The Honda Civic is a genuine surprise package. While the pricing isn't cheap, the driving dynamics are much better than other small hatchbacks, and the list of standard features is incredibly comprehensive.

Add in Honda’s very smooth and quiet hybrid system, which is both efficient and surprisingly swift, and the Civic hybrid starts to make a lot of sense.

Bigger inside than you might expect, and with a feel and finish that’s good enough to give prestige brands a run for their money.

The Civic hybrid range won’t suit buyers looking for the ultimate cut-price value. Instead, it offers discerning buyers a polished and enjoyable package.

Buying a Honda is a little different to the experience you might be used to. Prices are fixed, there's no negotiation on price, but you may be able to use your trade-in as a bargaining point.

While we spent time in the top-spec e:HEV LX version for this review, the cheaper Civic e:HEV L version still comes with a long list of equipment, and a more attractive sub-$50K price. It's the one we'd suggest.

You can see the full range of Honda cars for sale at Drive Marketplace. You can also check out the new Civic hybrid in person at your nearest Honda dealer.

If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.