Behind the Wheel

2025 Honda Civic Hybrid — Already a Class Winner

2025 Honda CivicModel tested: 2025 Honda Civic 4-Door Hybrid Sport Touring

Engine: 2-liter 4-cylinder with 2 electric motors

Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel drive

Horsepower: 200 combined

Torque: 232 lb.-ft.

EPA ratings: 50 mpg/city, 47/highway, 49/combined

Base price: $31,750

As tested: $32,845

Overview: The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring is a perfect example of a small sedan with big attributes. The handsome sedan cloaks sensibility with style and quality. The Civic is available in several flavors and models — all of them excellent, but we tested the top Hybrid Sport Touring trim level. The Hybrid is a new model for 2025 that promises excellent fuel economy. We would have been happy with 40 mpg but were incredulous with 50-plus.

Walkaround: Styling is slightly conservative (a good thing for future resale) but crisp. There aren’t unnecessary scoops, wings or wheel arches. The nice sunroof is a little small but OK. Two body styles are available — sedan and hatchback. Fit and finish are excellent. Our Hybrid Sport Touring had sharp, 18-inch alloy wheels and 40-series tires, which enhanced its sport sedan look.

2025 Honda CivicInterior: The Sport Touring Hybrid trim level includes leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, a 9-inch touchscreen, a 12-speaker Bose premium sound system, satellite radio and navigation, parking sensors, rain-sensing wipers and low-speed braking control. All these features are on top of the spacious, high-quality interior. The leather steering is medium-thick and nicely contoured, with excellent auxiliary controls. Rear seat room is good, but the floor hump is tall. Cargo space is good with the folding seats. Small items storage is reasonable, but there is only one seatback pouch.

Behind the wheel: The Civic Hybrid is a pleasure to drive in town and on the freeway. The hybrid drivetrain is smooth and provides the expected boost for merging or passing. Regenerative braking keeps the hybrid battery fully charged. The shifter is a traditional console-mounted stick (much preferred over dials or other variants). The big payoff is the incredible fuel economy — our best was 51.1 mpg. Results like that make it hard to justify the added cost of a PHEV or full electric vehicle.

Bottom line: The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Sport Touring is an impressive car that does almost everything exceedingly well. The Honda Civic Hybrid continues the model’s highlight reel that started back in the mid ’70s when first-generation Civics were small, efficient two-door sedans. The Honda Civic has grown steadily in size, but still remains city-friendly and roomy for passengers. Quality and popularity have kept resale values strong and the incredible fuel economy of the new Civic hybrid can only increase the car’s status.