The 2020 Honda Civic lasts around 250,000 miles with relatively minor stereo system and windshield issues reported. At $19,775 to $36,825, it’s expensive, but worth the money for one of the best compact cars on the market.
Is the 2020 Honda Civic a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 9/10 – 2020 is an excellent year for the Honda Civic since it offers powerful and efficient engine choices. Owner reviews praise the sporty driving experience, low ownership costs, along with the advanced technology.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are decent for an affordable car, the seats are supportive on longer drives, cargo space is also great for its size.
- Reliability 9/10 – There are no widespread issues found on the 2020 Honda Civic. Models from 2010 through 2022 are all dependable choices with no serious mechanical problems.
- Performance 9/10 – Performance from the base engines is okay for a small car, while the Type R model is one of the fastest front-wheel drive cars in the world.
- Safety 10/10 – The 2020 Civic is very safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. Standard features include lane keep assist, automatic braking, along with a rearview camera. Optional upgrades include blind spot monitoring.
- Gas Mileage 9/10 – Fuel economy is great at up to 34 MPG giving 420 miles of range from the 12.4 gallon tank. Gas costs are $60 cheaper than average at $135 per month.
- Value 9/10 – The 2020 Honda Civic is more expensive than some competitors, but slow depreciation paired with low ownership costs makes it a great long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Honda Civic?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Honda Civic is a mature and substantial compact car with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Civic at 4.5/5, praising the roomy cabin, but doesn’t like the overly sensitive forward collision warning system.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Civic a 4.7/5, enjoying the high resale value across the lineup, but owners don’t like the lack of an all-wheel drive system.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Honda Civic Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Honda Civic include the stereo system freezing, cracked windshields, along with the A/C system not working. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other compact cars on the market, leading to low repair costs as the Civic ages.
The stereo system freezing is the most widespread complaint on the 2020 Honda Civic, showing up in the first 5,000 miles. There are software updates available for the stereo system which improves its reliability. Most dealerships will install these software updates for free, while some charge around $50.
Cracked windshields show up on some Civic models in the first 10,000 miles as well. Owners report that there were no chips or impacts before their windshields cracked. Usually, this is a sign of a manufacturing defect which causes the windshield to crack while heating and cooling. Replacing the windshield costs around $550, depending on local labor rates.
The A/C system not working has also been reported in the 2020 Civic at 15,000 miles. Usually the problem is caused by a clogged or dirty cabin air filter which prevents airflow from the A/C system. Replacing the air filter costs around $35. If there are additional blower or compressor problems, repairs can range from $300 to over $1,000.
There’s only one recall on the 2020 Honda Civic, which is better than other compact cars. The recall covers the fuel pump which may fail while driving. Honda will replace the fuel pump for free on affected models.
How Long Will the 2020 Honda Civic Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Honda Civic lasts around 250,000 miles, which is only slightly shorter than the long-lasting Toyota Corolla. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than other small sedans, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $340 per year.
As a used 2020 Honda Civic reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the spark plugs for $250, the radiator hose costing $300, along with the air bag clock spring which costs around $400.
How Is the Technology?
Standard entertainment technology is fairly basic with a simple 5-inch central display screen. Optional upgrades include a larger 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with more powerful stereo systems.
Safety technology is excellent for a small car offering the Honda Sensing Suite which includes active safety features such as:
- Lane departure warning
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane keep assist
- Forward collision warning
- Rearview camera
Optional driver assistance features include blind spot monitoring.
Is the 2020 Honda Civic a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Honda Civic is a good value since it’s reliable while offering a sporty driving experience for the money. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $19,775 to $36,825, making it more than a Kia Forte or Volkswagen Jetta. When new, the price range was $20,000 to $28,950. Depreciation is better than other cars, only losing about 2% of its current value per year in current market conditions. In normal times we expect it to lose about 5% of its value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Honda Civic?
There are seven models of the 2020 Honda Civic offered from the base LX model all the way through to the high-performance Type R. The Civic is also offered as a four-door sedan, two-door coupe, along with a five-door Civic hatchback.
LX is the entry-level model with:
- 16-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Automatic Climate Control
- 5-Inch Central Display Screen
- Honda Sensing Safety Package
- Four-Speaker Sound System
Sport is a step up, adding:
- 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- 60/40-Split Folding Rear Seatbacks
- Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel
- Keyless Ignition and Entry
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Eight-Speaker Audio System
EX adds features such as:
- 17-Inch Wheels
- Honda’s LaneWatch Blind Spot Camera
- Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control
- Heated Front Seats
- Power-Adjustable Driver’s Seat
EX-L has upgrades including:
- Leather Upholstery
- Upgraded Interior Trim
- Ambient Interior Lighting
Touring is the most luxurious model with:
- 18-Inch Wheels
- LED Headlights
- Power-Adjustable Passenger Seat
- Heated Rear seats
- 10-Speaker Audio System
Si offers more sporty features like:
- Limited-Slip Differential
- Sport-Tuned Suspension
- Adaptive Dampers
- Larger Front Brakes
- Si-Branded Sport Seats
- Unique Gauge Cluster
Type R is the high-performance model which has:
- More Powerful Engine
- Six-Speed Manual Transmission
- 20-Inch Wheels
- 12-Speaker Sound System
- Upgraded Suspension
- High-Performance Brakes
- Large Rear Wing
What Engines Come In the Honda Civic?
- The base engine is an average 2.0L 4-cylinder which makes 158 horsepower at up to 33 MPG. The engines come standard with a six-speed manual transmission while a continuously variable automatic transmission is optional.
- An available upgrade is the efficient 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder, which produces 174 horsepower while getting up to 34 MPG.
- On the Si model is a stronger 1.5L turbocharged four-cylinder which is good for 205 horsepower and gets up to 30 MPG. Performance is very good, taking 6.8 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH.
- The Type R model comes with a very powerful turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder engine which generates 306 horsepower, which gets up to 26 MPG. Performance is excellent, taking only 4.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Honda Civic Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Honda Civic?
The 2020 Honda Civic is known for its comfortable and spacious interior. The seats are well-cushioned and supportive, providing a comfortable ride for both the driver and passengers. The Civic also has plenty of legroom and headroom in both the front and rear seats, especially in the sedan and hatchback models, making it a good choice for taller passengers.
The Civic’s suspension system is also designed to provide a smooth ride, absorbing bumps and rough roads with ease. The cabin is also well-insulated, which helps to reduce road noise and makes for a quieter ride.
How Much Storage Space Does the Honda Civic Have?
The amount of storage space available in a 2020 Honda Civic depends on the model and trim level. The sedan version of the Civic offers 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space in the trunk, which is a decent amount for a compact car. The hatchback version of the Civic offers more storage space, with 25.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down.
In addition to the trunk and cargo area, the Civic also offers several small storage compartments throughout the cabin. These include a center console with a sliding armrest and storage bin, a glove compartment, door pockets, and cup holders. These small storage spaces are useful for storing items such as phones, keys, sunglasses, and drinks.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The tenth generation of the Honda Civic came out for the 2016 model year and was replaced by the eleventh generation in 2022.
2015: New SE model introduced which falls between the LX and EX models.
2016: Fully redesigned for the tenth generation with new technology, engines, and styling choices.
2017: Type R and Si models added to the lineup, hatchback options available.
2018: No major changes from earlier years.
2019: Larger 2.0L 4 cylinder engine offered in the Sport model, small exterior styling changes.
2020: Improved brakes on the Civic Type R, updated front bumper on the Civic Si.
2021: New paint options for the Type R model, Si model removed from the lineup.
How Does the Honda Civic Compare to the Competition?
The 2020 Honda Civic is an excellent compact car since it offers a more fun and sporty driving experience than a lot of the competition on the market paired with good reliability ratings as it ages.
The Honda Accord is a larger sedan available from Honda which starts at around $3,500 more. Passenger room is better in the Honda Accord, while the Honda Civic offers a more responsive driving experience. We recommend the Honda Accord since it’s more practical for a daily driver, although both are great sedans worth test driving to see which fits your lifestyle better.
The Toyota Corolla is another compact car which costs around $1,500 more. Long-term reliability ratings are slightly higher on the Toyota Corolla, while the Honda Civic is more fun to drive. We recommend the Toyota Corolla to many people, although both are excellent choices and the decision comes down to personal preference.
