2025 Honda Civic e:HEV LX Review

Once upon a time, the Honda Civic was one of the best-selling vehicles here in Australia, cementing itself a rock-solid reputation with first-time and family buyers alike.

Since then, though, the market has dramatically moved toward SUVs, with Honda hoping to flip the script with its updated, hybrid-only Civic hatchback range.

It certainly looks promising, with its sharp styling package and keen driving dynamics that hope to inject some fun into families willing to take the plunge.

Honda’s pricing for the latest-generation Civic has been contentious, to say the least, though it does come packed to the gills with features to snatch buyers from the SUV segment.

To find out how the latest MY25 Honda Civic stacks up, we got behind the wheel of the range-topping e:HEV LX to find out if it’s worth stretching the budget or if you’re better served with the base model.

Honda Civic e:HEV LX Competition

How Much Does the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Cost?

Honda has introduced the MY25 Civic range to Australian buyers in a two-pronged lineup.

The entry-level Civic e:HEV L is priced at $49,900 drive-away, while our review vehicle, the range-topping Civic e:HEV LX is priced at $55,900.

• Civic e:HEV L - $49,900

• Civic e:HEV LX - $55,900 (tested)

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change, but these do include on-road costs and represent drive-away pricing.

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Honda Civic e:HEV LX Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Have?

Sitting as the range-topper, the Civic e:HEV LX picks up a range of premium touches.

The list of features specific to the flagship Civic e:HEV LX is headlined by black leather upholstery - over leatherette and suede - as well as a panoramic sunroof, a wireless charging pad, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror as well as an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a four-way power-adjustable passenger’s seat.

It also picks up all the features you’ll find in the entry-level Civic e:HEV L, which means it comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 rubber and picks up LED headlights and LED fog lights, adaptive cruise control, a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and dual-zone climate control.

Buyers also receive a leather-wrapped steering wheel, alloy sports pedals, wheel-mounted paddle shifters, heated front seats, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors, rear privacy glass and a lengthy stack of active safety equipment.

Honda Civic e:HEV LX Connectivity & Infotainment Features

Honda packages both Civic e:HEV L and LX variants with a 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting neatly atop the dashboard.

While it’s not the largest display on the market, Honda’s 9.0-inch unit ticks all the important boxes, remaining user-friendly to operate, bright and offering a particularly high refresh rate that makes it feel snappy to quick inputs.

Honda’s infotainment system has several Google features packaged in from the factory, running Google Maps natively while offering access to the Play Store and Google’s voice assistant.

The Civic’s infotainment system is packaged with AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio as well as satellite navigation and is paired with a lovely 12-speaker sound system from BOSE.

The menu layout is simple to navigate while no shortage of vehicle settings allows you to tailor your drive modes and cabin preferences, with a physical home button remaining in place to help you find your way back through menus.

Buyers also pick up a three-year subscription to the Honda Connect Gen2 suite of services which offers a digital key, a remote engine immobiliser, vehicle location tracking, notifications for a low battery and a range of remote vehicle controls.

Does the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Have Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

Interestingly, while the Civic e:HEV range comes with a number of Google features built in, wireless smartphone connectivity is on offer for iOS users, only.

That’s because the Civic’s infotainment system offers wireless Apple CarPlay but requires a physical connection for users to access Android Auto while behind the wheel.

While it’s not a particularly big deal, it’s a curious absence considering the amount of Google features packaged into the Civic range from the factory.

The process of connecting our iPhone to the Civic’s Apple CarPlay was quick and simple, with no drop-outs in the connection and a particularly quick response time when turning the ignition on to being able to access music, navigation apps and podcasts via the wireless Apple CarPlay.

Is the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Comfortable to Drive?

It’s terrific.

In a world overflowing with large and more cumbersome SUVs, the Honda Civic range is a refreshing reminder that family-friendly motoring can be both comfortable and fun, without one compromising the other.

Honda removed its previous petrol engine from the Civic lineup last year, meaning that for 2025, it’s a hybrid-only offering.

Luckily, Honda’s petrol-electric hybrid powertrain underneath the Civic’s bonnet is a cracker - offering smooth acceleration and adjustable levels of regenerative braking via the paddles while maintaining healthy power figures that give it some get-up-and-go.

The Civic e:HEV range comes powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol unit working alongside two electric motors that produce a combined 135kW of power and 315Nm of torque. 

Power is thrown to the front wheels via an e-CVT automatic while a 1.05kWh lithium-ion battery provides intervals of electric power to the wheels.

Off the mark, the Civic feels spritely thanks to its 315Nm of torque while excelling on the day-to-day grind around town.

The steering feel is heavier than your typical city-slicking package, but only to the degree that there is noticeable feedback from the front wheels while remaining easy to throw around while parking.

Combine that with the Civic’s reasonably stout wheelbase, and it’s a particularly simple car to park and navigate tight quarters.

Honda has maintained some of its sporty DNA with the Civic’s suspension package, which makes it eager to turn in and a wonderfully zippy little package around town.

This suspension setup has come at some expense of the ride quality, though not to a significant degree.

It’s certainly firmer than you might expect over bumps around town, though the trade-off here is a fun-loving handling package that is surprisingly engaging behind the wheel.

There’s no merit in labelling the Civic another boring hybrid hatch - it’s got personality and, in terms of the driving experience, a wide range of tricks up its sleeve for a fuel-efficient package.

On rougher country roads, the Civic soaks up the bumps and remains confident, albeit in a firm manner.

Cruising on the highway, the Civic is great - offering enough poke for overtakes, responsive handling and a particularly refined ride quality that keeps you insulated from the outside world.

All up, the Civic represents a great hatch for those looking for a cheerful little commuter with a healthy dose of personality in a typically bland segment of the market.

It’s not a stretch to say it’s the best driving package on offer in the small car segment, which makes Honda’s aggressive pricing and lack of a base model even more frustrating.

Is the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Fuel Efficient?

Honda’s move to make the latest Civic range a hybrid-only affair means that buyers stand to benefit from some particularly solid fuel economy figures, though it’s not a new benchmark for the segment.

On paper, the Civic e:HEV LX sips a claimed 4.2L per 100km on a combined cycle, making it an extremely fuel-efficient little hatchback in its own right - though Toyota still holds the crown for outright efficiency.

In the real world, we were able to average 4.5L/100km on a mix of town, country and two long stints on the highway.

This means that Honda’s claimed figures are actually pretty achievable out on the road without major adjustments in your driving style - you’ll just need to stick with the eco drive mode.

Around town, the Civic e: HEV LX sips a claimed 2.0L/100km while highway driving will see it drink around 5.5L/100km.

• Honda Civic Combined Fuel Economy: 4.2L/100km (claimed)

• Honda Civic Combined Fuel Economy: 4.5L/100km (tested)

The MY25 Civic e:HEV range has a 40-litre fuel tank and can sip 91 RON fuel.

Is the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Practical and Spacious?

The Honda Civic is classed as a small car here in Australia, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s cramped inside the cabin.

In fact, Honda has managed to pull some seriously impressive moves with the Civic’s cabin design that make it feel like a significantly larger package when you step inside.

Climb aboard and you’re greeted with a low-slung driving position compared to its SUV rivals, though the LX’s power-adjustable seats allow you to gain some altitude behind the wheel.

The Civic’s steering rack also features reach and rake adjustment, allowing for a range of driving positions while headroom for taller adults isn’t an issue when dropping the captain’s chair to its lowest setting.

There are more than a few similarities with Honda’s other vehicles like the midsize CR-V and the smaller ZR-V SUVs, though it’s hard to deny that the current design language feels fresh and modern.

It’s a lovely cabin with a somewhat understated design, but we can’t help but think it doesn’t feel quite as special as the LX’s premium price tag might suggest.

That said, all the switchgear feels solid, with a particularly lovely click from the climate control dials alongside nice, soft finishes for both of your elbows.

In terms of storage, the Civic ticks important boxes but certainly doesn’t lead the segment with its conventional design.

The centre console houses a pair of cupholders and a large compartment inside the folding armrest, with a rubber-lined tray for the wireless charger sitting at the base of the dash, a small glovebox and fairly compact bottle holders inside the doors.

Move to the second row and rear accommodation marks are solid when it comes to legroom, even behind a tall driver, though taller rear guests may have their knees brushing the seatback.

The most limiting factor in the rear of the Civic is, without a doubt, the lack of headroom, particularly with the LX’s panoramic sunroof, which had our heads brushing up against the headliner.

Amenities in the rear include air vents, a folding armrest with two cupholders, map pockets, reasonably compact bottle holders and a pair of USB-C charging ports.

For the parents out there, the Honda Civic is packaged with two pairs of ISOFIX anchors hidden neatly at the base and three top tether mounts on the seatbacks.

All up, the Civic does pretty well on the practicality front for a small hatchback and gives small SUV buyers some serious food for thought.

How Big is the Honda Civic e:HEV LX’s Boot?

Arguably, the main advantage of the Civic’s hatchback design is the healthy amount of boot space it enables.

While a power-raising boot would be a nice touch for the price, it’s easy enough to lift the Civic’s long boot lid up and capitalise on the 409L of boot space on offer in a five-seat layout.

Fold down the 60:40 split rear seats, and you’ll unlock a total of 1,187L, proving that the Civic is no slouch when it comes to accommodating cargo in the boot for a small car package.

There is a noticeable lip in the boot, which may prove annoying when loading up some heavy suitcases and a slight elevation in the Civic’s boot floor that can get in the way of sliding longer items inside, though for a small car package, we have no complaints.

The Civic’s boot also features some tie-down points and a shallow storage area underneath the boot floor, but no spare or space-saver spare tyre, just a tyre repair kit hidden away.

• Civic Boot Space Minimum: 409L

• Civic Boot Space Maximum: 1,187L

Is it Safe?

Honda is bundling in a long list of active safety equipment with both versions of the latest Civic range, though we think there’s one key omission at this price point.

As standard, the Civic comes packaged with autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, adaptive cruise control, a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors and a lane-keep assist system with lane centring.

Buyers also pick up driver attention monitoring, seatbelt alerts, traffic jam assist, a speed limiter, traffic sign detection and no less than 11 airbags inside the cabin.

That’s all great news for buyers, but we can’t help but think a surround-view monitor would serve as a nice addition at its lofty price point and serve as a major upgrade over the frankly low-resolution rear-view camera.

Does the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

The MY25 Honda Civic wears a five-star safety rating after testing in 2022 saw it score the following marks.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 89%

• Child Occupant Protection: 89%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 82%

• Safety Assist: 83%

What Warranty Does the Honda Civic Come With?

Honda offers the latest Civic range with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty alongside a five-year roadside assist membership.

The Civic e:HEV’s battery pack and high-voltage components are backed by an eight-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Honda’s vehicle warranty can stretch out to a total of eight years if you keep it serviced within network and meet conditions outlined in the company’s Honda Extend service.

Atop the complimentary three-year subscription, your Honda Connect subscription can extend out to five years when you keep the vehicle serviced in the network.

The company also offers five years’ worth of capped-price servicing which is priced at $199 per visit, bringing the total of five years worth of planned maintenance to a very attractive $995.

Service intervals, however, remain a relatively short 12-months or 10,000-kilometres, whichever elapses first.

Our Verdict: Is the Honda Civic e:HEV LX Worth it?

Without bringing the Civic’s price tag into the equation, it’s a fantastic small car that drives extremely well, sips fuel responsibly and does mighty well on the practicality front for a reasonably petite package.

In reality, though, there’s no discussing the Civic as an ownership prospect without mentioning the most important factor in the decision - the price tag.

This means that the Civic’s otherwise undeniable appeal is compromised with its current pricing structure, while the lack of a bare-bones entry-level variant with sharp pricing restricts its appeal to a wider range of budgets.

The simple that is that you can get a whole lot of metal, including that from a larger vehicle segment entirely for the same price.

That said, there’s a lot to like about the Civic e:HEV LX, though considering just how much equipment is included in the current L base model powered by the same, fuel-efficient engine, we’d be skipping this one and getting behind the wheel of the e:HEV L.

If you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, be sure to reach out to one of our car-buying experts who can help find you the best possible price.

Five Honda Civic e:HEV LX Specs You Need to Know

1. Five-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty

2. Eight-year/unlimited-kilometre hybrid + battery warranty

3. 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol + two electric motor hybrid produces 135kW/315Nm

4. 4.2L/100km combined cycle fuel economy figures

5. 409L boot expands to 1,187L with rear seats folded