The 2020 Honda Civic is offered with 11 variants across two body styles, with prices starting at $22,390 before on-road costs for the entry-level VTi and topping out at $51,990 before on-roads for the manic Civic Type R.
The Civic is now into its 10th generation, and is a significantly more grown up beast than any of its predecessors.
Speaking of more grown up, the Civic Type R has evolved from a free-revving hooligan into a turbocharged scalpel. It’s one of the most expensive hot hatches on the market, but it’s also one of the best.
Pricing
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 VTi sedan: $22,390
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 VTi hatch: $22,790
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S sedan: $24,590
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.8 VTi-S hatch: $24,990
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.5 VTi-L sedan: $27,990
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.5 VTi-L hatch: $28,390
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.5 RS sedan: $31,990
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.5 RS hatch: $33,540
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.5 VTi-LX sedan: $33,690
- 2020 Honda Civic 1.5 VTi-LX hatch: $34,090
- 2020 Honda Civic Type R hatch: $51,990
All prices exclude on-road costs.
Engines
The base engine in the 2020 Honda Civic is a naturally aspirated 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 104kW and 174Nm put to the front wheels through a CVT.
Moving up the range gets you a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol with 127kW and 220Nm, once again hooked up to a CVT.
The most exciting engine is reserved for the Civic Type R, though.
It’s got a 2.0-litre VTEC turbo pumping out 228kW and 400Nm, which is fed to the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission and locking differential.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Honda Civic with a 1.8-litre engine consumes 6.4L/100km, the 1.5-litre turbo unit returns a claimed 6.1L/100km, and the 2020 Civic Type R has a claimed fuel use figure of 8.8L/100km.
Dimensions
The 2020 Honda Civic sedan measures 4662mm long, 1799mm wide and 1416mm tall, with a 2698mm wheelbase.
Boot space for the Civic sedan is listed at 517L.
The 2020 Honda Civic hatch measures 4515mm long, 1799mm wide and 1421mm tall, with a 2700mm wheelbase.
Boot space for the hatchback is listed at 330L.
Safety
Tested in 2017, the Honda Civic hatchback and sedan both have five-star ANCAP safety ratings.
Unfortunately, the two base Civic models miss out on autonomous emergency braking.
It’s not even available as an option, forcing buyers to fork out for technology that should really be standard in 2020.
Standard Equipment
Standard equipment on the Honda Civic VTi includes:
- Single-zone climate control
- 7.0-inch touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Reversing camera
- Rear parking sensors
- 16-inch steel wheels
Moving to the VTi-S adds:
- Fog lights
- Rear privacy glass
- Fabric trim with chequered accents
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Camera-based blind-spot monitoring
- Parking sensors
- 16-inch alloy wheels
The jump to the VTi-L brings:
- Power folding mirrors
- Dual exhaust
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking
- Lane departure warning
- Lane-keeping assist
- Automatic high beam
- 17-inch alloy wheels
Moving to the RS gets you:
- Central twin exhaust
- Rain-sensing wipers
- LED fog lights
- LED headlamps
- Dual-zone climate control
- Electrically adjustable driver’s seat
- Leather seats
- Front seat heating
- Alloy sports pedals
- Digital radio
- 12-speaker stereo
- 18-inch alloy wheels
The range-topping VTi-LX has:
- Sunroof
- Satellite navigation
Finally, the range-topping Civic Type R exists in its own space.
Inside, it gets race-ready bucket seats trimmed in red, along with a metal gear knob, sports pedals, a red/black steering wheel, and a raft of unique displays for the digital driver display.
Externally, it rides on 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Continental tyres.
The body has been ramped up to 11 with wider wheel arches, a giant rear wing, deep front splitter, and enough vents to make ‘90s touring car fans weak at the knees.
Servicing
Maintenance in the Civic is required every 12 months or 10,000km – whichever comes first.
Each of the car’s first five services cost $299, meaning five years of servicing will cost you $1495.
The performance-oriented Civic Type R is more expensive to maintain, but not by much.
You’ll pay $1615 for five years of servicing, although those driving hard will also need to replace consumables like brake pads more frequently than regular Civic drivers.
The entire 2020 Honda Civic range has a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.
