Car review: 2025 Honda Civic eHEV
The biggest question with the new hybrid Honda Civic is a simple one: can you imagine spending more than $50,000 for this Japanese-made hatchback?
When the Honda Civic first arrived in Australia in 1973, prices started from $1899 – approximately $21,000 in today’s money. Since then, it’s graduated from a small, cheap city runabout to something that’s a bit more premium, high-tech and almost as big as a Commodore from yesteryear.
2025 models
In 2025, two Civic models are available, the $49,900 eHEV L and the $55,900 eHEV LX. Both prices are drive-away, and the two models are hybrid and richly equipped.
Compared to a Toyota or Hyundai, Honda’s hybrid is unique in that it mostly uses a pair of electric motors to do the driving, with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine acting as something of an onboard generator.
While a slightly different approach, it still yields the desired result – outstanding fuel efficiency of 4.2L/100km on the combined cycle. Running on the cheapest 91RON unleaded fuel, the Honda is as frugal as the best hybrids on the market. It’s also scandalously cheap to service, costing just $995 in the first five years.
In the cabin
While it’s not a polite hit to the hip pocket, the Honda Civic’s interior and how it drives on the road leave an impression.
Slink down in the sporty, low driving position and our LX test car makes you feel like the price tag is justified. There’s space like a medium sedan, and it feels more like a $100,000 car than $50,000. With beautiful build quality and lovely materials, it’s no stretch to call this Honda a Japanese BMW.
Mercifully, Honda has included a row of heating and cooling buttons and dials, so you don’t have to dig around a touchscreen to change the temperature. This is about safety as much as convenience in 2025.
On the road
If you love driving, you’ll always look forward to getting into the hybrid Civic. The eHEV gives the driver all the benefits of an electric vehicle – instant torque, buttery smoothness and near-silent refinement – with none of the current EV drawbacks such as a heavy battery or range anxiety.
With 135kW and 315Nm to shift just 1497kg, the hybrid Civic has a surprising amount of power. The steering and handling are so good – in classic Honda form – that if you buy one, you’ll be inventing ever more eccentric errands to run in the Adelaide Hills.
As an overall package, the hybrid Civic is one of those cars you may have initially imagined keeping for five years, but after 10, you’ll probably still be happy to have it in the garage.
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $49,900-$55,900 |
| ANCAP safety rating | Not rated |
| Warranty | Five years/unlimited kilometres |
| Fuel consumption | 4.2L/100km |
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