2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid review: The right stuff

While not a blastoff or revolution, a second go around in a Civic Hybrid in Hatchback guise continues to impress

2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

While SpaceX has dramatically changed the way we think about space exploration and its possibilities in a short time, it's this Civic that continues to reshape the public's perception of what an everyday Honda can deliver so effortlessly. Many brands are striving to stand out amid increasing competition, but Honda has decisively pared things back in an almost "less-is-more" approach with its new Civic, a welcome and handsome change from past over styling exercises. This slow evolution has led to a quiet revolution for their most affordable car. No molds may be broken, nor records set, but for the mission of normal ground transportation here on planet Earth at a reasonable cost, the Civic has propelled itself to the forefront, bolstered by the newly released hybrid models.

Picks

Whereas the previous-generation Civic Hatchback was easily identifiable by its awkward hunch, the new edition is mildly discreet — only noticeable when parked next to its sedan counterpart. In other words, it's a handsome and understated design that looks far less like a Honda than it should. The previous Civic Hatchback had an overstyled, almost gaudy appearance, whereas the latest model is surprisingly elegant, especially for a Civic. Want a simpler way to put it? It's incredibly tasteful, with a restrained design that ties the exterior elements together seamlessly.

Unlike rival hybrids from other carmakers, the Civic Hatchback Hybrid doesn't sacrifice performance — it actually gains some. The 0-60 MPH sprint takes a believable 7.5 seconds, a time that absolutely obliterates that of a Corolla Hybrid or Elantra Hybrid. However, the Prius can match and actually beat this new Honda if you're searching for an unexciting drag race. Despite the performance gains, the hybrid powertrain also improves overall fuel economy. While it doesn't quite reach the heights achieved by the previous Civic Hybrid sedan (a dizzying 47 MPG), an observed 38 MPG in real-world conditions is still impressive — especially in the frigid December temperatures of the Northern California foothills.

Matching the understated exterior is an interior that cements the Civic as one of the best in its class for refinement and quality. The cabin feels enormous — and it is — with a spacious back seat that is perfectly comfortable for full-size American adults. The driver's forward view is wide and unhindered, enhancing the feeling of openness. And because it's a hatchback, cargo space is plentiful, making it as practical as possible for a car that measures only 180 inches long.

Without resorting to cliché, the interior exudes a mature and grown-up vibe, reinforcing the impression that this is now a car for serious and thoughtful consumers as well. There's nothing particularly flashy or exciting about the interior, but its cohesive and uplifting take on industrial design is reminiscent of a stylish loft apartment you'd find in Austin, TX. Unlike some compact cars that feel like dreary, uninspired boxes, the new Civic, particularly in its top Touring trim, is genuinely impressive. Even the lower-tier Sport trim maintains a robust and high-quality feel. The only competitor that comes close — or possibly exceeds it — is Mazda, whose Mazda3 can offer legitimately luxurious interiors, though at a higher price and without the frugal hybrid option.

Best of all — saved for last — is how well the Civic Hatchback Hybrid drives, which is right in line with all other new Civics from the past few years. Steering is shockingly direct and accurate and bosting a nice, confident weight to the controls. The handling is energetic with a keen enthusiasm for changing direction. Unlike many of its contemporaries, this is a small and reasonable car that remains enjoyable on backroads and all roads, striking a delicious balance between comfort and control. The new Civic has such a remarkable chassis that it's no wonder the high-performance Type R and Integra Type S models are considered among the best driver's cars in the world—at any price.

Nicks

Not without fault, the Civic Hatchback Hybrid does have some drawbacks — primarily related to the hatchback itself. With such a large cargo area, the liftgate is quite hefty, yet it lacks any power assist when opening. While power liftgates are typically reserved for luxury cars, the manual operation of this hatch feels surprisingly heavy and I suspect that some buyers might find it requires more effort than expected due to its leverage or weight. Additionally, there is no switch to open it from the inside, which is an odd omission for a hatchback. When using the external button to open the liftgate, you must hold it for a full second to ensure proper release and that it doesn't get stuck halfway unlatched. The easiest workaround is to lift upward as you press the release.

For a car with a modern hybrid powertrain, achieving 38 MPG isn’t exactly groundbreaking here. It's amazing in its own right, but not close to previous records by other cars or even other Civic Hybrids. However, given the peak winter conditions and the necessity of running the heater at full blast on every drive, I can't criticize it too much. Still, it's worth noting that the standard Civic Hybrid sedan achieved an impressive 47 MPG in ideal fall conditions, without the need for A/C or heat.

And while the Civic Hatchback is undeniably attractive, it may not be quite as sleek as the standard sedan. This becomes apparent when parked next to one, as the sedan appears slightly more streamlined. If aesthetics are a deciding factor, this could be a consideration if you want the best looking of the Civics.

Despite Honda's four-cylinder engines being smoother than Toyota's comparable units, acceleration still comes with a noticeable amount of unpleasant noise; Under brisk acceleration, the engine produces a fair bit of moaning and groaning. Fortunately, the hybrid powertrain itself is exceptionally seamless in operation, with no noticeable jerks or lags in driving — even if you try to induce them. The CVT transmission is also well-matched to the powertrain, contributing to the car’s smooth and composed experience.

A car for all occasions

I like the new Honda Civic a lot, and it remains an easy top recommendation for anyone in search of a compact car, thanks to its undeniable blend of talents. The hybrid option boosts fuel efficiency, though perhaps not quite as much as some might hope for the Hatchback variation. Choosing the hatch does provide extra cargo space and additional rear headroom, though the sedan doesn’t compromise significantly in either area. Personally, I preferred the sedan for its sleeker profile and slightly better fuel economy. However, for those who favor hatchbacks, the latest Civic Hatchback Hybrid continues to impress, making everyday life easier and more enjoyable with nearly all the right moves.

2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid Sport Touring

As-tested price: $34,500

Pros: Graceful styling and upscale interior; Excellent driving dynamics

Cons: It's gotten kind of expensive

Basic specifications

Powertrain:

• 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline 4-cylinder

• AC synchronous permanent-magnet motor

• 200 horsepower combined system power

• 232 lb-ft Peak torque: 

• CVT Transmission

• Front-wheel drive

Fuel Economy:

• EPA Rating: 50 mpg city / 45 mpg highway / 48 mpg combined

• The Road Beat average economy: 38 MPG

• Fuel Capacity: 10.6 gallons

Dimensions:

• Length: 179.0 inches

• Width: 70.9 inches

• Height: 55.7 inches

• Wheelbase: 107.7 inches

• Curb Weight: Approximately 3,3,00 pounds

• Cargo Capacity: 24.5 cubic feet

  Interior Features:

• Seating Capacity: 5 passengers

• Upholstery: Leather-trimmed seats

• Front Seats: Heated, with 8-way power adjustment for the driver and 4-way power adjustment for the passenger

• Infotainment System: 9.0-inch touchscreen with Google built-in, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto

• Audio System: 12-speaker Bose premium sound system

• Climate Control: Dual-zone automatic

Safety and Driver Assistance:

• Standard Features: Honda Sensing® suite, including collision mitigation braking, road departure mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and traffic sign recognition

• Additional Features: Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a multi-angle rearview camera

Wheels and Tires:

• Wheels: 18-inch alloys

• Tires: 235/40/18 all-season

2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid Sport Touring photo gallery

Thank you for reading The Road Beat's 2025 Honda Civic Hatchback Hybrid review. All photos by mitchellweitzmanphoto.com and The Road Beat.