Used 2015 Honda Civic Buyer’s Guide (Updated 2021)

Vehicle History Super Review: Here’s everything you need to know before buying a pre-owned 2015 Honda Civic.

The originalHonda Civic was introduced for the 1973 model year, just as the U.S. was plunging into an oil crisis. Large American gas-guzzling cars were in for a rude awakening.

Japan, however, had already figured out how to build small, reliable, fuel-efficient cars. The front-engine, front-wheel-drive, and subcompact size of the Civic meant that it didn’t need a big engine. A series of relatively small (1169 cc to 1488 cc) inline four-cylinder engines powered the Honda Civic’s first generation (1973-1979).

For its second generation (1980-1983), the Civic had more power from a standard 1335 cc or optional 1488 cc engine. It was offered in three- and five-door hatchback, four-door sedan, and five-door wagon versions.

Honda’s Civic got larger for the third generation (1984-1987), when the automaker also launched the fastback coupe Civic CRX and a new Si model.

The fourth-generation Civic (1988-1991) featured updated fuel injection technology plus double-wishbone suspensions for the front and back. It was also the end of the two-seat CRX.

The fifth-generation Honda Civic (1992–1995) added standard side airbags and available anti-lock brakes. Plus, the new CivicVX hatchback with its EPA rating of 48/55 mpg was even more economical. The CRX was replaced with the del Sol two-seat coupe, and new VTEC engines meant more power in your Civic.

Honda’s sixth-generation Civic (1996–2000) (seen above) had eight trim levels to choose from (CX, DX, HX, VP, LX, EX, EX-A, and Si), and you could get a natural gas-powered Honda Civic.

Seventh-gen Civics (2001–2005) saw a major redesign. Honda added a McPherson strut-based front suspension and flat rear floor, which made for more interior room. It was so much more space that this generation marks the evolution of the Civic from subcompact to compact. It also saw the debut of theCivic Hybrid.

A hybrid was also included in the eighth generation (2006–2011) alongside natural gas and performance-focused Si models (coupes and sedans).

And then there was the ninth-generation Civic (2012–2015), which Honda described as “energetic, sleek, and aerodynamic” and went on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

The tenth-gen Honda Civic was unveiled for 2016 and runs through to the present day. And it’s the ninth-generation 2015 Civic that we’re going to explore — from performance to pre-owned prices.

2015 Honda Civic Trim Levels

In order to pick the perfect 2015 Honda Civic to meet your needs, let’s delve into a detailed primer on trims.

The two-door Civic coupe was available in base LX, midrange EX, and top-spec EX-L trim levels. For the four-door Honda Civic sedan, you have a ton of options, including the LX, SE, HF, EX, Compressed Natural Gas, Hybrid, and EX-L trims.

The fun Civic Si was available in both coupe and sedan body styles for 2015. Each trim level builds on the one before it.

2015 Honda Civic LX

The entry-level 2015 Honda Civic had a mix of basic and advanced features, including:

• Cruise control
• Rearview camera
• Tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• One-piece folding rear seatback
• 15-inch steel wheels

2015 Honda Civic HF

The economy-focused Civic gets you basically all of the elements from the LX sedan, plus:

• Aerodynamic cast-aluminum wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires
• Underbody panels designed to smooth out airflow for better economy
• Rear spoiler with a focus on better aero

2015 Honda Civic SE

The SE (pictured above) adds onto the LX with a mix of comfort, safety, and convenience features, including:

• Right-side blind spot camera
• Automatic climate control
• HondaLink smartphone integration (with integrated Aha radio and Apple-based Siri Eyes Free voice command)
• Upgraded audio with six speakers
• 15-inch alloy wheels

2015 Honda Civic EX

The midrange Civic adds to the extensive list of standard features with:

• Larger seven-inch central touchscreen display
• Automatic headlights
• 60/40 split-folding rear seatback
• 16-inch alloy wheels
• Rear disc brakes

2015 Honda Civic EX-L

The “L” in EX-L stands for “leather.” But that’s not all it adds. There are many additional mentionable features, including:

• Leather upholstery
• Eight-way power driver seat (sedan only)
• Fog lights
• Automatic headlights
• 17-inch alloy wheels
• Navigation (via the EX-L Navi trim)

2015 Honda Civic Si

The fastest Civic for 2015 was available in coupe and sedan and in came in standard and Navi trims. Performance and interior upgrades included a larger engine, plus:

• 18-inch alloy wheels
• Sport-tuned suspension
• Rear spoiler
• Sport seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Simulated carbon fiber interior upgrades
• Navigation (via Navi option)

2015 Honda Civic Hybrid

Only available as a sedan, most of the 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid’s (pictured above) four trim levels are comparable yet a bit different from the regular Civic. Trim levels include base, Leather, Navi, and Leather with Navi.

To keep it simple, the base Civic Hybrid for 2015 is generally the same as the regular Honda Civic EX sedan from a features and options perspective. However, it does not come standard with a sunroof, rear disc brakes, or 16-inch wheels.

The Hybrid Leather trim is most closely aligned with the Civic EX-L features except for the lack of 17-inch wheels and power driver seat. Unsurprisingly, the “Navi” trim has navigation, and the “Leather with Navi” has leather and navigation.

2015 Honda Civic Natural Gas

Also sedan only, the compressed natural gas-powered Civic was available in two trim levels: Base and Leather with Navi. The CNG Civic generally has standard features largely similar to the base Honda Civic LX. However, with the Civic EX’s seven-inch central touchscreen display, you do get a right-side blind spot camera and HondaLink connectivity for your smartphone.

Like others, the Leather with Navi CNG version added the navigation system and it will get you a majority of the EX-L features, again except for the 17-inch wheels and power driver seat.

For the 2015 model year, the Civic Natural Gas’ (seen above) interior was enhanced with a host of new standard features, including more premium seating materials and door panel trim.

Also new for 20154, the available Civic Natural Gas Leather Navi model gained additional premium features such as leather seats, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a six-speaker audio system.

Price Ranges by Trim

The 2015 Honda Civic has a range of affordable options across each of its various trim levels. Kelley Blue Book has rated each trim level and the “Fair Market Range,” which is laid out below. It ranges from just over $11,000 for a base LX coupe, up to just over $19,000 for the Si Sedan.

2015 Civic Sedan

• LX Sedan: $12,666 – $15,173
• SE Sedan: $12,658 – $15,813
• EX Sedan: $13,708 – $16,317
• EX-L Sedan: $14,299 – $17,030
• Si Sedan: $16,842 – $19,087
• CNG Sedan: $11,259 – $14,330
• Hybrid Sedan: $11,017 – $13,732

2015 Civic Coupe

• LX Coupe: $11,328 – $13,599
• EX Coupe: $12,249 – $14,748
• EX-L Coupe: $13,263 – $15,840
• Si Coupe: $16,117 – $18,364

Powertrain Options

All 2015 Honda Civics are front-engine and front-wheel-drive. However, they come with a variety of engine, transmission, and even fuel options.

• The base Civic comes with a 1.8L four-cylinder engine with 143 horsepower and 129 lb.-ft. of torque. On the Civic LX, a five-speed manual transmission is standard, with an optional continuously variable transmission (CVT). Higher trim levels feature the CVT as standard.
• The Civic Hybrid is powered by a 1.5L four-cylinder gasoline engine with standard CVT transmission. It is augmented with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack that has a combined total output of 110 horsepower and 127 lb.-ft. of torque.
• The Civic Natural Gas, naturally, has a natural gas-powered 1.8L engine with a fairly low 110 horsepower and 106 lb.-ft. of torque.
• If speed is what you need, check out the Civic Si and its 2.4L four-cylinder with an impressive 205 horsepower and 174 lb.-ft. of torque. It is (only) mated to a standard 6-speed transmission, just the way it should be!

Fuel Economy

Generally, the Civic’s fuel economy is dependent on the engine and transmission choices. When optioned with the CVT, the Civic LX, EX, and EX-L get an EPA-estimated mpg rating of 33 combined (30 city/39 highway).

Interestingly, when equipped with the manual transmission, the Civic only gets 31 mpg combined (28/36). The economy-focused Civic HF gets a fairly impressive 35 mpg combined (31 city/41 highway).

EPA estimates for the Civic Hybrid come in at 45 mpg combined (44 city/47 highway) while EPA estimates for the CNG-powered Civic get a gasoline-equivalent rating of 31 mpg combined (27 city/38 highway).

Finally, the performance-focused Si still gets a decent 25 mpg combined (22 city/31 highway) considering its performance.

Performance

The Honda Civic is known for its frugal nature, however, it definitely has a wild side. The popularity of the Fast and Furious movies in the early 2000s perpetuated the already-increasing popularity of the import tuner culture, and the Civic was front and center for all of it.

People could acquire a Civic inexpensively and set about making it faster, lighter, and handle better. Tuning became a billion-dollar industry, and naturally, Honda wanted to get in on the action.

The base Civic’s 143 horsepower engine isn’t all that quick, with a 0 to 60 mph time of around nine seconds, and a top speed of 124 mph. That is lightning quick compared to the 2015 Honda Civic Hybrid, which accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 11.5 seconds and languishes through the quarter-mile in 18.5 seconds.

If you want the hottest performer in the lineup, it’s got to be the Civic Si. The 2015 Honda Civic Si goes from 0 to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 135 mph. While that number isn’t dramatically quicker than 200 horsepower Hondas from the early 2000s, the chassis and suspension are tuned for fun.

Dimensions & Capacities

The 2015 Honda Civic is 179.4 inches (14.95 feet) long, 69 inches (5.75 feet) wide, and 56.5 inches (4.71 feet) tall. That makes for a total interior volume of 107.1 cubic feet and a cargo capacity (with all seats in place) of up to 12.5 cubic feet.

The gasoline-powered sedan has the highest cargo capacity at 12.5 cubic feet, while the models that need additional tech to power the car come in lower. The CNG has 6.1 cubic feet of space and the Hybrid comes in at 10.7 cubic feet of cargo area.

The Honda Civic weighs in at just 2,794 pounds for the econ-focused HV, while the normal spec LX sedan weighs in at 2,811 pounds, which is still light even for a modern compact. Oddly enough, a two-door LX coupe tips the scales at a slightly heavier 2,824 pounds.

While the Civic is a compact car, it is still quite roomy. All Honda Civic models, including both two- and four-door layouts, have seating for five. Although, getting five adults into (and out of) the rear of a two-door Civic may be difficult (but entertaining to watch).

The Civic coupe rates the lowest for headroom with 37.7 inches, while the CNG and Hybrid top at 39 inches. So, taller drivers should definitely take a look at the headroom space, which can be lessened by the addition of a sunroof.

The front legroom is consistent across all layouts at around 42 inches, as is the front shoulder room measurement of 55 inches.

As noted, the rear of a Honda Civic coupe is a bit cramped compared to the sedan. Rear headroom is 34.3 inches for the coupe, compared with 36 to 37 inches in the sedan depending on trim.

Just as critical, if not more, rear legroom in the Civic coupe is just 30.8 inches, which is about half-a-foot smaller than the 36.2 inches available in the sedan. Rear shoulder room is 53.3 inches in the sedan and slightly less (52.2 inches) in the coupe. (Later in this article, we will see how the Civic sizes up to the competition.)

All Civics have a 13.2-gallon gas tank, except for the CNG-powered version, which has an eight-gallon tank.

Honda Civic Safety Ratings

Depending on whether it is a coupe or sedan, the 2015 Honda Civic has a four- or five-star (out of five stars) overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Additionally, the 2015 Civic is an IIHS top safety pick in the small car segment.

Crash ratings for most categories — including small overlap front driver-side, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraints and seats — were all rated as “Good.”

The Civic has a host of great safety features. Honda’s Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) with traction control is standard across all trim levels. According to Honda, VSA “helps sense oversteer or understeer, and brakes individual wheels and/or reduces engine power to help keep you on your intended course.”

Additionally, the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure is part of each 2015 Honda Civic trim. Again, Honda claims that it is “intended to ensure that occupants are protected in frontal crashes using the latest crash energy dispersion structures.”

Finally, all 2015 Honda Civic trim levels have front, front-side, and side curtain airbags. Even more impressive, they come with a rollover sensor to ensure that occupants are protected during a rollover. The Civic’s side airbags include SmartVent technology, which is designed to vent the airbag if it encounters an out-of-position occupant.

Child Seat Details

The 2015 Civic has two rear seating positions (on the driver and passenger side) that come with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

Additionally, the center position has one additional seating position with an upper tether anchor only. This means that a seatbelt plus tether anchor would be the only installation method for a seat to be placed in the middle.

The overall evaluation of the Civic’s child seat capacity by the IIHS was “Acceptable,” which is the second-highest rating out of four possible options. Individual testing was done specifically on a 2015 Civic EX with cloth interior to determine just how easy it is to put a child seat into a 2015 model year Honda Civic.

The IIHS concluded that the tether anchor (typically at the top of the seat) was in an easy-to-find location and that no other hardware could be confused for the anchor. The lower anchors were found to be too deep in the seat, which can hinder the installation.

However, they noted that there was not much force needed to attach the anchors and that it was easy to maneuver around the anchors once installed. This was the case for both driver-side and passenger-side LATCH installs.

Technology Features

Even though the 2015 Civic predates the integration of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, there is no shortage of technology integrated throughout the Honda lineup. The optional seven-inch display with electrostatic touch-screen allows you to do almost everything your smartphone does, but on a larger screen.

The HondaLink system allows you to access many of the most popular apps through the Display Audio system, and it will even allow you to customize the touchscreen to show the apps you use most. You can swipe and pinch to manipulate the screen, which is handy with the optional navigation system. Add in real-time traffic alerts, and the Honda Civic may just become your best friend.

The Siri EyesFree voice command functionality is also optional and allows hands-free access to your Siri-equipped iPhone. Simply press and hold the Talk button until you hear the Siri tone, and you can talk to Siri. Responses are limited to those that do not require a visual display on the phone. But according to Honda, “the Siri Voice-to-text function provides great flexibility, including reading emails and texts.”

Additionally, Honda added what they call an Intelligent Multi-Information Display (or “i-MID” for short). This driver information screen provides a host of information in an area that minimizes eye diversion from the road.

Using the steering wheel-mounted controls, the driver can display trip computer information, audio or phone information, a choice of a digital or analog clock, as well as odometer, and outside temperature.

Naturally, the standard and optional audio systems will keep the music going. With Pandora integration, you can listen to whatever tunes match your mood for the day. And, of course, you can play your own music from your mobile device too. Handy steering wheel-mounted controls will help keep you safe while you ramp up the volume or change the station.

For those looking to kill some time watching a video in your Honda Civic, just connect your device to the HDMI port. Then you can launch any video you want to display on the touchscreen. However — and this should come as no surprise — this feature is only functional when the vehicle is not moving.

Exterior Color Options

The 2015 Honda Civic comes in a choice of 11 exterior paint colors.

Interior Color Options

The 2015 Honda Civic comes in a choice of nine interior color options.

• Beige Fabric (LX/HF/SE/CNG/EX Sedan)
• Gray Fabric (LX/HF/CNG/EX Sedan, LX/EX Coupe)
• Black Fabric (LX/HF/SE/EX Sedan, LX/EX Coupe)
• Beige Leather (CNG/EX-L Sedan/Hybrid)
• Black Leather (EX-L Sedan & Coupe)
• Gray Leather (CNG, EX-L Sedan & Coupe/Hybrid)
• Beige Fabric (Hybrid)
• Gray Fabric (Hybrid)
• Black/Red Fabric (Si Sedan and Coupe)

2015 Honda Civic Reviews: Then & Now

Retro Reviews: 2015 Honda Civic

When new cars come out, manufacturers loan them out to the automotive journalist community. So, let’s see what our auto writer peers and colleagues thought of the 2015 Honda Civic back when it was new.

Most praised the Civic’s wide variety of engines and options, while many panned the infotainment system and cramped trunk. Each review provides additional insight into the pros and cons of the 2015 Honda Civic to help you choose the right car during your next purchase.

In his 2015 Autobytel article titled “2015 Honda Civic Road Test & Review,” Lyndon Bell wrote that there was “a time when the Honda Civic was the no-questions-asked, hands-down definitive model in its class” but noted that the competition, especially from Korea, was getting closer and closer.

He called the 2015 Civic, a vehicle with a “broad variety of personalities” and praised the wide variety of engine offerings, from traditional gas to hybrid, and even natural gas.

Bell closed the Autobytel article with a quick pros and cons list that includes pros such as “choice, choice, and yet more choice. Strong fuel economy, comfortable, spacious, and well laid-out interiors, and enjoyable driving characteristics.”

His cons mentioned that the vehicle was “starting to look a bit dated, touchscreen radio is maddening to operate, and hybrid and Natural Gas Models sacrifice trunk space for greater fuel economy.”

Auto journalist Graeme Fletcher reviewed the 2015 Honda Civic Si for Canada’s Motoring TV in spring 2015. “The Civic suspension is tuned to deliver a balance between ride comfort and agility,” he announced from the front seat during his test drive.

“The set-up works well,” he added. “Body motion is well-controlled. The steering has a crisp feel and yet the Civic soaked up the rigors of a rough road in stride. In this regard, it remains a strong contender.

“The Si steps things up by adding larger front brakes, a limited-slip differential, and 225/40R18 tires,” he noted.

A reviewer over at Edmunds compared the 2015 Civic to a successful tennis player who is “trying to remain a top seed in professional tennis” as younger and younger competitors enter the field.

But he concluded that the Civic “continues to be one of the top picks in a field packed with talented entries.” Edmunds’ “Expert Review” also praised the “comfortable ride, spacious interior, and very good safety scores” in particular.

Meanwhile, over at U.S. News & World Report, auto critic Courtney Jones ranked the 2015 Honda Civic’s pros as “good fuel economy; balanced ride and handling; and quality interior materials.” Jones’ cons were limited to “poor trunk space, and a base engine that feels underpowered on the highway.”

The 2015 Civic ranked No. 8 within the publication’s 2015 Compact Cars category and had an overall score of 8.1 out of 10, which was rated using a variety of sources.

Motor Trend noted that the 2015 Civic “remains a solid entry in the compact car segment, with excellent fuel economy, user-friendly technology, and an available high-performance model that offers great driving dynamics.”

Their pro list included “user-friendly infotainment controls [and] smooth-operating CVT,” making Motor Trend one of the few that liked the infotainment experience. Cons included “mediocre fuel economy in Si models, certain tech features are only available via higher trim levels, and slightly grainy rearview camera graphics in the dark.”

There is a good mix of real-owner reviews on Vehicle History, too, of course. And some 2015 Honda Civic owners have checked in to share their experiences after having their 2015 vehicle on the road for a few years.

In May 2015, even the folks at PC Magazine left their laptops to take a few spins in the 2015 Honda Civic. With PC’s Doug Newcomb noting: “We tested the four-door sedan variation, with trim levels including the LX, the SE, the EX, and the EX-L.”

Of course, the tech is one of the first things that Newcomb mentions. “The vehicle comes with ample tech features, but the seven-inch touch-screen Display Audio interface can make it difficult to access them.”

He does mention that once you get past a few challenges with the tech, it’s a smooth, relatively easy system to adapt to. He credits the 2015 Honda Civic’s best attributes as being its “solid performance and fuel economy, composed ride, and innovative blind spot system.”

And it was pretty much the “frustrating infotainment interface” that seemed to be the sole sore spot.

Over at Canada’s Globe andMail, a late-fall review in 2015 noted a few tech challenges, too. “What we continue to dislike is Honda’s touchscreen infotainment system, recently updated and shared with other recent Honda models,” wrote Chris Chase. “The volume control is an infuriating slider that’s difficult to use, even for a front-seat passenger who doesn’t have to pay attention to the road.”

If you are savvy with technical infotainment systems and car connectivity, you may find it easier to look past some of the reported confusing tech aspects.

“It has the traditional Honda qualities of practicality, efficiency, comfort, and even a nice driving experience,” says auto journalist Peter Braun in his 2015 Digital Trends review of the 2015 model year Civic. “That doesn’t mean it is perfect: It lacks the flair of the Mazda3 and the overall refinement of the Volkswagen Golf. Yet even as the Civic enters the latter half of its lifecycle, it remains a compelling choice for sensible buyers.”

In its July 2015 review, CNET’s Road/Show brought up some hard facts: “Today, the 2015 Honda Civic Si must do battle with the excellent Volkswagen GTI and the more powerful Ford FocusST, both of which are newer models with newer tech and more powerful, turbocharged engines,” wrote Antuan Goodwin. He does, however, note that the “aging Civic Si still has a bit of pep in its step.”

“Yes, the Civic Si is quicker than it’s ever been,” asserts Road/Show’s Goodwin in his July 2015 review, “but piloting the Si doesn’t feel as special as previous-generation Si models or even my old 2004 Acura RSX Type-S (which used the same underpinnings and powertrain as its contemporary Civic Si cousin).”

So, as you can see, the 2015 Honda Civic faired well across most reviews. We concur with the overall assessment that Honda’s 2015 Civic delivers a great mix of options and layouts, although it’s a shame they didn’t offer a practical hatchback for 2015.

Some of these issues are likely related to the 2015 Civic being the tail end of the generation, which meant it was starting to look a bit long in the tooth and may not have the latest tech you are looking for. The touchscreen has been widely panned by other reviewers, which was consistent across our research. However, make sure to take that all-important test drive to see if it’s the right car for you.

New Real Owner Reviews

Overall, the 2015 Honda Civic has been well-reviewed by owners.

• Here at Vehicle History, the Civic has received a 4.5 (out of five) rating across 1,180 customer reviews.
• Edmunds has posted 100 customer reviews, and the Civic has a 4.4 out of a 5 rating.

For this article, Vehicle History also spoke directly to two Civic owners, including one who bought a 2015 Civic when it was new and then upgraded to a newer model year. The other bought new in 2015 and still has it!

First up, Ellen from Plymouth, Connecticut. Here is what she had to say about the 2015 Honda Civic.

I had a 2015 Civic EX, four-door, with a taffeta white exterior and tan interior. I work 27 miles from home, so I need to have a small, fuel-efficient commuter car. My Mazda2 had good mileage, but as my kids got older, I needed more overall space. The Civic had great gas mileage, especially on the highway. Honda also had really good deals for financing and leasing. I ended up leasing, because in terms of style and color, I wasn’t entirely sold from the beginning. The dealer gave me adiscount because I leased the car in December after the new models had come out already.

To be honest, I prefer the 2016 and newer Honda Civics, which have a better design and much more appeal overall. I also looked at Mazda3s, as they were similar. The Honda Civic was super-reliable and I didn’t have any maintenance issues the whole time I had the car! Normal things happened, like a dead battery when I left my lights on; worn tires, and headlights burning out. Other than that, nothing. It was pretty good in the snow, too. I often have to go to work even during storms, and Inever worried about sliding in the car.

My biggest issue with the car was that the interior stains constantly. I have four kids, and two primarily rode in that car. Every little thing showed up on the seats. Normal at-home detailing didn’t fix those issues, so I had to take the car to a professional detailing company. They were able to get everything out of the seats before I bought my new Civic, so that worked out ok. It just seemed like a ton of stains were always surfacing. The audio was ok, as was the overall tech. It wasbetter than the Mazda I had, and I thought it was cool that I had a USB port. The sound quality was decent for that sort of car. Everything was basic, of course, but basic on a Honda is actually OK.

My 2016 Civic is far, far better than the 2015 in every way, but the 2015 was good enough. I think I got around 32 mpg highway, which was good. I could drive really far on one tank, especially if I was on a long trip. Speaking of trips, legroom and the trunk were fine in the car. The kids weren’t cramped in the back, and we were able to get all of our luggage and the like into the car without a problem. I never felt cramped in the front, either in the driver or passenger’s side.

Up next, Marek from Middle River, Maryland. He bought a 2015 Civic when it was new and still has it today. Here’s what he had to say.

Out on the road, we liked the smooth-shifting from the variable transmission. Handling is good at highway speed, but the rear end can feel loose on sharper exit turns. Overall, road noise is a little loud, and fuel economy is close to advertised.

On the interior, it is comfortable to sit in for extended periods of time and has good rear legroom for a small car.

The dash display is easy to read and is not cluttered. The driver’s seat is height-adjustable, which is good for shorter people. We like the camera on the passenger mirror. It is very useful, and combined with the side mirror, it covers the entire side, including blind spots.

Overall, acceleration is sufficient for most traffic situations like passing and merging.

Auto Influencers Put Fresh Spin on 2015 Civic

Since the 2015 Honda Civic first hit the road over five years ago, countless auto influencers across the country and around the world have continued to champion the 2015 model in new Youtube videos and blog posts.

In 2019, YouTuber Cody Warren, host of Daily Driver, took a 2015 Honda Civic for a drive for his review. His overall review derives from his experience driving the vehicle on and off for a two-year period and racking up over 35,000 miles.

“As I start driving, other than the comfortable seating and the spacious interior, the first thing I start to notice is how light the steering wheel is,” he says during the drive. “I’m not used to that. I like stiffer steering wheels on older vehicles. But the steering on this thing is just absolutely precise and very light. I kind of enjoy it.”

Warren starts by pointing out that the exterior is stylish, with sleek, subtle body lines and accentuating chrome highlights. The Sport model also comes with a proximity key, which makes getting into the vehicle easy and convenient, especially if you consider the push-button ignition as well.

However, you’ll notice one of the most common complaints about the 2015 Civic the moment he opens the door and the lighter-colored interior stains easily. Regardless, all the interior features you would expect are there, including power windows and locks; audio and cruise control settings on the steering wheel; and USB and HDMI inputs.

“Now, when you start going at higher speeds, the steering is going to stiffen up, so that way you don’t oversteer,” he adds while taking the Civic for a spin. “You’re also going to notice while driving this car just how easy it is to hit the accelerator and for the responsiveness of this engine to really start going. And it’s just absolutely instant, a very light pedal, very easy to touch before you get going. I really enjoy that feature.”

“Also, you’re gonna notice just how smooth the CVT transmission is,” he adds. “You’re not going to feel that jerking as you do in a lot of other automatics, and that’s because of the CVT system. I very much enjoy that, because it just makes your ride so much smoother.

“And yes, this car doesn’t have that much power — 143 horsepower is really nothing in the car world today. But it makes up for the lack of power with its gain, economy, and miles per gallon.”

He concludes that “this car is so much fun to drive, and it doesn’t get boring at all.” As for maintenance, with only 35,000 miles, he’s only had to change the oil.

The 2015 Honda Civic Si gets an updated YouTube review courtesy of popular influencer Joe Raiti, host of Raiti’s Rides.

“I like the size of the steering wheel,” he says as he gets behind the wheel. “In 2015, there was no gimmickry really for the Si. I like the shape of it. It has a very nice thickness to it. And there’s not a lot of buttons sticking out.”

“I really love the clutch pick up in this car,” adds Raiti as he maneuvers the vehicle. “The gearbox is like butter. …they shift so wonderfully and I love the smoothness. …This is gonna make you a better driver.”

Maintenance & Reliability

The Civic is a stalwart in the “most reliable” category, and most of the authorities on reliability agree. The Honda Civic Repair Pal Reliability Rating is 4.5 out of 5, which ranks it third out of 36 for compact cars.

The average annual repair cost comes in at $368, which means it has “excellent” ownership costs. The severity and frequency of repairs are both much lower than other vehicles according to Repair Pal, so the Civic is one of the more reliable vehicles on the road, according to their research.

J.D. Power gave the 2015 Honda Civic a reliability rating of three out of five. This score is noted as “about average” compared to all cars on the road, but it is a “bit below the class average.” Meanwhile, U.S.News estimates the 2015 Honda Civic’s five-year estimated costs for gas, insurance, maintenance, and repairs will be around $23,530, which is rated as “typical for the class.”

Honda’s warranty for the 2015 Civic was a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. Check out the Honda True Certified program that will extend coverage to four years from the original sale date or 48,000 miles.

For vehicles like the 2015 Civic that are outside their new-car warranty, Honda offers an additional one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty for certified vehicles.

Known Issues & Problems

There are six reported problems with the 2015 Honda Civic, according to Repair Pal, with the most common issue being: “Airbag Light Due to Failed Occupant Position Sensor.” Here is the full list.

• Airbag light turns on due to failed occupant-position sensor. The average mileage of the issue is around 112,325.
• Bad engine mounts may cause vibration, roughness, and rattle. Average mileage is 98,788.
• Power window switch may fail. Average mileage is 116,589.
• Low rumbling sound when in reverse (also due to bad engine mounts). Average mileage is 78,596.
• Warped front brake rotors may cause vibration when braking. Average mileage is 90,025. Repair includes brake pad replacement ($186-$208).
• Engine leaking oil. Average mileage is around 16,000. Repair includes an oil pressure sensor replacement ($170-$186).

There was one safety recall issued from the NHTSA.

• Power Train: Automatic Transmission: Control Module (TCM, PCM) with a recall date of Sept. 14, 2015. The recall covered 2014 to 2015 Honda Civic vehicles manufactured from Jan. 16, 2014, to Nov. 6, 2014. The software settings that control the transmission operation may result in damage to the transmission drive pulley shaft. Always ensure that a used vehicle has had the required recall work completed prior to purchasing.

Value & Depreciation

The Honda Civic has always delivered a good value-to-dollar ratio. The original MSRP for the 2015 Honda Civic was $18,290 to $29,390 ($23,840 average). Compare that to $11,000 to $19,000 ($15,000) and the Civic has depreciated on average $8,840 since it was new.

For a more detailed depreciation perspective, our friends at Edmunds estimated that the 2015 Civic would depreciate a total of $6,859 over five years.

The trim they tested was a 2015 Honda Civic Sedan LX four-door Sedan (1.8L four-cylinder CVT). Specifically, over five years, that means for the first year, there was an estimated $3,172 lost to depreciation, $1,097 for year two, $966 for year three, $856 for year four, and $768 for year five.

In late 2014, the 2015 Civic was one of four Honda models — along with the 2015 Accord, CR-V, and Odyssey — to receive the prestigious Best Buy Award in their respective categories from Kelley Blue Book. Honda’s four awards were among the most earned by any automaker and represented a third of the 12 total KBB Best Buy Award categories.

KBB named the 2015 Honda Civic the year’s Best Buy: Small Car. Each of the Hondas was selected as winners in their category following expert evaluation and testing, along with analysis of a broad range of vehicle-related data, including cost of ownership, consumer reviews, and vehicle sales information.

How Does the Civic Compare to its Competitors?

The 2015 Honda Civic is a great car. However, there are a lot of great options out there. Each of the compact competitors below comes in a variety of two- and four-door variants. Some even have a practical hatchback layout.

We will go into detail on each car, trim level, engine and transmission, mile-per-gallon rating, and overall dimensions and cargo space in comparison to the Civic. That way, you can make the best of your car-shopping time.

2015 Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet’s compact Cruze has been around since the 2011 model year. It is only available in sedan layout, and for the 2015 model year, you could find one in six trim levels, including L, LS, LT, LTZ, Eco, and Diesel.

Engine offerings included a base 1.8L inline four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 125 lb.-ft. of torque. It has an EPA-estimated 25/36 mpg city/highway rating (manual) and 22/35 mpg (automatic). You can also opt for a turbocharged 1.4L four making 138 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. It’ll do 26/38mpg and primarily comes in the LT and LTZ trim levels.

For those watching their mpgs, there are a couple of options. To start, check out the Cruze Eco, which is powered by the same base 1.8L four-cylinder, but Chevy fiddled with a host of items and optimized it for better gas mileage. It gets an EPA-estimated 26/42 mpg (manual) and 26/39 mpg (automatic).

For max mpg, you have to check out the Cruze Diesel, which has a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel inline-four-cylinder producing 151 horsepower and 264 lb-ft, and you’ll find a max rating of 27/46 mpg.

You’ll find that the Cruze is slightly larger than the Civic for 2015 in just about every dimension. With a length of 181 inches (Civic sedan: 179.4 inches), a width of 70.7 inches (Civic sedan: 69 inches), a height of 58.1 inches (Civic sedan: 56.5 inches), and a wheelbase of 105.7 inches (Civic sedan: 105.1 inches), it’s clear that Chevrolet benchmarked the Civic when engineering the Cruze.

Interior space is higher, as you might expect. The Chevy Cruze has a cargo space measurement of 13.3 (Diesel) to 15.4 cubic feet, which bests the Civic (12.5 cubic feet) as well. Pricing ranges from $8,871 to $14,588 for the 2015 Chevrolet Cruze.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

2015 Ford Focus

Looking for a versatile compact that comes in sedan and hatchback layouts? Ford’s Focus debuted for the 2000 model year and continued to evolve over the years. Sadly, Ford discontinued the Focus in 2018 to focus on crossovers, SUVs, and trucks.

For 2015, you could choose between S, SE, Titanium, Electric, and ST trim levels. Power comes from a standard 2.0L four-cylinder engine with an impressive 160 horsepower and 146 lb.-ft. of torque.

Those looking for a more frugal experience can opt for the turbocharged 1.0L three-cylinder engine with 123 horsepower and 148 lb.-ft. of torque. The top-spec performance version is called the ST and comes with a 2.0L EcoBoost inline-four making 252 horsepower and 270 lb-ft with a standard six-speed manual, which is the only available transmission.

While the 2015 ST has the most “smiles per gallon,” there are definitely more economical options. The base 2.0L is rated an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined (27 city/40 highway) with the automatic transmission at 30 mpgcombined (26/36). Fuel economy estimates for the three-cylinder come in at an impressive 33 mpg combined (29/40).

Want even more? The Focus Electric will deliver a 107-kilowatt (143 horsepower) electric drive motor with a 23kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It’ll do 75 miles of pure electric range, and it takes about four hours to charge back to full power.

From an apples-to-apples perspective, the 2015 Ford Focus isn’t quite as long as the Civic. The Focus sedan comes in at 178.5 inches (Civic sedan: 179.4 inches) and has a wheelbase of 104.7 inches (Civic sedan: 105.1 inches).

However, most other measurements are higher, including its width at 71.8 inches (Civic sedan: 69 inches) and height at 57.7 inches (Civic sedan: 56.5 inches). The Focus sedan has more overall cargo space at 13.4 cubic feet (Civic sedan: 12.5 cubic feet). Choose the practicality of the Focus hatchback and you’ll find an even more impressive 23.8 cubic feet of storage!

Prices range from $7,488 to $20,123 for the 2015 petrol-powered Focus, and $9,229 to $10,932 for the 2015 electric version.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

2015 Kia Forte

The versatile Kia Forte comes in three layouts: two-door coupe, sedan, and hatchback. One of the only competitors on the list to have three options, the 2015 Forte is available as a sedan in LX and EX trim levels. The two-door coupe variant (called “Koup”), as well as the four-door hatchback (Forte 5), are available in EX and SX trims.

Standard power in the base LX comes from a 1.8L four-cylinder engine making 145 horsepower and 130 lb.-ft. of torque. For more standard power, check out the EX, which gets a 2.0L four-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 154 lb.-ft. of torque. Max power comes from the SX versions of the Forte Koup and Forte 5. They come with a powerful turbocharged 1.6L four-cylinder with 201 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque.

From an mpg perspective, there is a wide variety of options, depending on your needs. The base Forte LX sedan gets an EPA-estimated 31 mpg combined (26 city/39 highway) with an automatic transmission. And with a manual transmission, it’s rated at 30 mpg combined (25/37).

The EX with the larger engine gets an EPA-estimated 29 mpg combined (25 city/36 highway), while EX hatchbacks and automatic-equipped EX coupes come in an EPA-estimated 28 mpg combined, and the Forte EX coupes come in at 27 mpg combined (24/33) with the manual tranny.

Kia Forte SX hatchbacks get a rating of 24 mpg combined (21/29), which is the same for both transmissions. For the “Koup,” you can expect 25 mpg combined (22/29 for manual as well as automatic).

From a practicality perspective, the “Koup” aligns with the Civic coupe, and obviously the Forte sedan mirrors the Civic sedan. The Forte hatchback has no specific competitor in the Honda Civic lineup for the 2015 model year.

The two-door Kia comes in slightly longer at 178.3 inches long (Civic coupe: 177.9 inches), slightly wider at 70.1 inches (Civic coupe: 69 inches), and slightly taller at 55.5 inches (Civic coupe: 55 inches). Cargo capacity for the Forte coupe is superior as well at 13.3 cubic feet (Civic coupe: 11.7 cubic feet).

For the sedan-vs-sedan matchup, the Kia Forte is almost the same length at 179.5 inches (Civic: 179.4 inches), slightly wider at 70.1 inches (Civic sedan: 69 inches), and roughly the same height at 56.3 inches (Civic sedan: 56.5 inches).

From a cargo perspective, the Forte sedan has 14.9 cubic feet of space that easily bests the Civic sedan’s 12.5 cubic feet. Obviously, for max cargo capacity, the Forte hatch delivers 23.32 cubic feet of space, which will allow you to haul quite a bit of stuff for such a small car.

Pricing ranges from $9,346 to $15,031 for the 2015 Kia Forte.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

2015 Mazda3

The first Mazda3, which comes in sedan and hatchback, dates back to the 2004 model year. For the 2015 model year, Mazda kept things pretty simple with regard to trim — at least on the surface.

The two major options are the Mazda3i and Mazda3s. Easy right? However, they are further broken down into sub-trims. They include i SV, i Sport, i Touring,i Grand Touring, s Touring, and s GrandTouring. All Mazda 3i models are powered by a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 155 horsepower and 150 lb.-ft. of torque.

Meanwhile, Mazda3 models get an upgraded 2.5L four-cylinder with 184 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines can be had with an automatic or manual transmission.

The Mazda3i sedan and hatchback both get an EPA-rated 34 mpg combined (30 city/41 highway) with the automatic transmission and 33 mpg combined (29/41) with the manual.

Meanwhile, the Mazda3 gets an EPA estimated 29 mpg combined. Specifically, that comes out to 25/37 (manual sedan) and 26/35 (manual hatch), and with the automatic transmission, it actually increases to 32 mpg combined (28/39) for the sedan and 31 mpg combined (27/37) for the hatchback.

The Mazda comes in larger in every dimension. That means it is longer at 180.3 inches long (Civic: 179.4 inches), also wider at 70.7 inches (Civic sedan: 69 inches), and is taller at 57.3 inches (Civic sedan: 56.5 inches). However, the Mazda3 comes in a bit short on cargo space at 12.4, just short of the Civic sedan’s 12.5 cubic feet. As with the Forte and Focus, the hatchback Mazda3 has much more space at 20.2 cubic feet.

Average price for the 2015 Mazda3 is $11,348 to $16,240.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

2015 Toyota Prius

No compact car comparison would be complete without the hybrid Prius. Dating way back to 2001, the Prius has evolved nicely over the years. No longer just a niche economy vehicle, the Toyota Prius now offers a lot for buyers to like. For the 2015 Prius, you can opt for five trim levels that include One, Two, Three, Persona Series, Four, Five, and Five Advanced.

The 2015 Prius is powered by a 1.8L four-cylinder engine mated to a pair of electric motors for a total output of 134 horsepower via a specialized continuously variable transmission (CVT). The 2015 Prius features an EPA estimated 50 mpg combined (51 mpg city/48 highway).

Dimensionally, the Toyota Prius is smaller in some areas and larger in others when compared to the Civic. It isn’t quite as long at 176.4 inches (Civic: 179.4 inches), not quite as wide at 68.7 inches (Civic sedan: 69 inches), but it is taller at 58.7 inches (Civic sedan: 56.5 inches). However, the Civic sedan’s 12.5 cubic feet is way smaller than the hatchback Prius’ 21.6 cubic feet. You have to love that hatchback practicality!

Prices for the 2015 Prius average a bit higher and range from $12,885 to $19,538.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

2015 Volkswagen Golf & GTI

One of the all-time great compacts is the Volkswagen Golf. Dating back to the early 1970s, the Golf helped create the category. Even in the U.S., it goes back quite a few model years.

However, the 2015 Golf and its performance-focused GTI version are going to be our focus here. The 2015 Golf can be had in two- or four-door hatchback layouts in four trim levels, including regular gas-powered (TSI) Launch Edition, S, SE, and SEL as well as the same trims in diesel-powered (TDI) versions. Meanwhile, the 2015 GTI comes in S, SE, and Autobahn trim levels (each can be had with a “performance package”).

The standard engine is a turbo 1.8L four-cylinder engine with 170 horsepower and 200 lb.-ft. of torque. The TDI models get a peppy 2.0L four-cylinder engine that produces 150 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque.

The EPA estimates for this engine are 29 mpg combined (automatic) and 30 mpg combined (manual) for the base 1.8L engine. EPA estimates come in for the diesel at 36 mpg combined (automatic) and 36 mpg combined (manual).

The Golf and GTI two-door models are a bit shorter compared to the Civic coupe, at 167.5 inches long compared to the Civic coupe’s 177.9 inches. However, the Golf is slightly wider at 70.5 inches (Civic coupe: 69 inches) and taller at 57.2 inches (Civic coupe: 55 inches). Naturally, the cargo capacity for the two-door Golf and GTI are quite superior at 22.8 cubic feet.

Interestingly, the four-door Golf and GTI have similar measurements, with only a slightly shorter overall length, and identical cargo capacity behind the second row of seats.

Prices range from $8,615 to $22,338 for the 2015 Golf and $13,877 to $18,211 for the 2015 GTI.

To see a more detailed side-by-side comparison between these vehicles, check out this Vehicle History coverage.

Conclusion

The 2015 Honda Civic is a versatile entry into the used-car market, and definitely worth a look. From frugal hybrid and natural gas-powered sedans to hot-rod sport compacts, there is a little something for everyone. Don’t forget, do your research, take a thorough test drive, and if you need additional assistance, get a pre-purchase inspection done from a reputable shop.

Once you find your perfect 2015 Honda Civic, the post-pre-owned purchase holds limitless possibilities, like the masterful customizations and mods featured on the 2015 Civic Si in the video below.

Virtually every automobile is going to experience recalls or some mechanical or technical issues along the life of its line, and the Honda Civic is no exception. But once we studied all the stats, specs, and details about the 2015 Honda Civic from very reliable sources like Edmunds, Car and Driver, Vehicle History, CNET’s Road/Show and other solid sources that did quality research and/or testing of the vehicle, we came to the conclusion that when all is said and done, the 2015 Honda Civic is a capable and reliable vehicle. The 2015 Civic seems to be an ideal pre-owned option that anyone looking for a quality used car can feel confident owning.

Why You Should Trust Us

The Honda Civic is a very popular and enduring legacy in the automotive world. And to provide a high-quality, substantial overview of the 2015 Honda Civic, Vehicle History reached out to seasoned automotive journalist William Byrd, who holds a Master’s from Johns Hopkins University and has been a professional automotive journalist for over 10 years. He has produced high-profile content for popular auto websites like Jalopnik, Hooniverse, and others. Spending over 25 hours researching the vehicle and talking to multiple Honda Civic owners provided a comprehensive, unbiased, and insightful opinion of the 2015 Honda Civic overall, including its power, performance and price range.

Photos: Honda; Kia; Ford; Volkswagen; Toyota; Mazda; Chevrolet and Nissan