I first experienced the new Honda Civic Hybrid last fall on a press drive from Upstate New York to Manhattan, riding alongside Antonio Jakes from American Honda’s PR team. At the time, the Civic Hybrid wasn’t yet available to the public or the press fleets. Antonio promised I’d get a whole week with it once it landed in Atlanta. And true to his word, here we are.
After seven days with the 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid Touring, my wife and daughter now understand why I was so intrigued. We still love the Toyota Corolla Hybrid SE we chose for our daughter, but had this Civic been available sooner, the decision would have been much tougher.
Turns out, we weren’t the only ones impressed. In January, the Civic Hybrid was named the 2025 North American Car of the Year™, its fourth time earning the honor—more than any other nameplate in the award’s history.
What’s New in the 2025 Civic Hybrid?
• Most powerful non-Type R Civic ever with 200 hp and 232 lb.-ft. of torque
• 50 MPG city (Sedan Sport & Touring)
• Now available in sedan and hatchback body styles
• Google Built-in (Touring) with Assistant, Maps, and Play Store access
• New styling: more aggressive front fascia, new colors (Blue Lagoon, Sand Dune, Urban Gray, Solar Silver)
• Winner of 2025 North American Car of the Year™ and Wards 10 Best Engines
My Week Behind the Wheel
Powertrain & Driving Dynamics
Let’s talk about that CVT—which isn’t like the droney rubber-band units you may remember. Honda’s Linear Shift Control makes it feel like a traditional automatic transmission. You can feel simulated gear shifts that respond to driver input and vehicle speed, making the experience more engaging and valuable than the setup in our Corolla Hybrid. And the instant torque delivery makes merging onto I-285 feel less like a game of roulette and more like precision driving.
My wife, however, had concerns. After a few spirited sprints, she half-joked (but meant it) that “this car might be a little too fast for Sydney.” She may have a point—while I’ve never seen her drive recklessly, she does have to merge onto busy Atlanta interstates three times a week for a 20-mile trip to volleyball practice—and in that kind of traffic, a little extra power can be a real advantage.
Cabin Comfort
The cabin is impressively quiet, thanks in part to Active Noise Cancellation and wheel resonators found in the Touring trim. Aside from a minor rear-deck rattle in my test unit—possibly from a loose speaker—this is one of the calmest rides I’ve experienced in this class.
The seats are supportive, and features like the dual-zone climate control, heated seats, and leather upholstery contribute to a near-luxury feel, even if the dashboard is more minimalist than flashy.
Tech that Works—Not Just Impresses
• 9” Touchscreen with crisp graphics
• Google Built-in: Maps, Assistant, Play Store with a 3-year data plan
• Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
• Bose 12-Speaker Premium Audio
• Wireless phone charging
• USB-C ports (front)
The Google Assistant voice commands are beneficial for keeping eyes on the road. “Navigate to volleyball center” or “Text my wife, I’m running late” actually works—no fiddling.
Safety: Standard on Every Civic
Honda continues its “Safety for Everyone” promise with standard:
• Honda Sensing® (CMBS, ACC, LKAS, RDM, and more)
• Blind Spot & Rear Cross Traffic Alert (now standard on all Sport trims)
• Front, side, knee, and curtain airbags
• Driver airbag with donut-shaped cradle structure
• ACE™ body structure for crash mitigation
Why Civic Hybrid Wins
• 2025 North American Car of the Year™
• Made in North America (Sedan: Ontario; Hatchback: Indiana)
• Hybrid powertrain built in Ohio
• Fourth-generation two-motor hybrid system
• Part of Honda’s strategy for 100% zero-emission vehicle sales by 2040
Final Thoughts
So, would the Civic have replaced the Corolla in our driveway had it been available last year? Honestly, maybe.
It’s faster. More refined. And in Touring form, arguably more upscale. But for our daughter, the Corolla SE Hybrid still feels like the right call—less temptation underfoot and slightly more conservative in demeanor.
But for everyone else—from Gen Z to multicultural buyers to first-timers looking for the best all-around compact hybrid—this Civic is the real deal.
And now it has the hardware to prove it.
