Compared: 2024 Honda Civic vs. 2024 Honda HR-V
Honda's smallest models make for good showroom rivals.
Honda
QuickTakes:
If you're in the market for a reliable, safe, and affordable vehicle, you might consider going with a Honda. The Japanese brand has a longstanding reputation as a maker of well-regarded economical cars, and its current lineup, which includes the Civic and HR-V, continues that trend.
The 2024 Honda Civic and 2024 Honda HR-V share many of the same foundational components, such as a four-cylinder engine, but the HR-V's crossover body style, cargo space, and all-wheel-drive (AWD) capability elevate it to more than just your standard commuter.
Honda
The Civic Slightly Undercuts the HR-V
Despite a size difference between the two vehicles, they share a platform and their entry cost is nearly identical. With basic amenities such as cloth upholstery, front-wheel drive (FWD), and a four-cylinder engine, the Civic starts close to $25,000 while the HR-V comes in closer to $26,000.
Although the Civic is confined to FWD across its entire trim range, the HR-V offers AWD for an additional $1,500. However, what the Civic might lack in drivetrain capability it makes up for in power. The $28,000 EX trim level upgrades the engine to a turbocharged four-cylinder that bumps the vehicle's horsepower from the base engine's 158 to 180.
Honda
The HR-V Is More Spacious, but the Civic Has More Standard Features
The HR-V's subcompact crossover design gives it advantages over the Civic beyond the available AWD. The HR-V's cargo volume, for instance, is significantly higher, clocking in at just over 55 cubic-feet of total storage space. The Civic, on the other hand, can only handle a maximum of 24.5 cu-ft.
Where the HR-V delivers in terms of utility, the Civic has more in the way of creature comforts. It offers upgrades such as dual-zone climate control and an eight-speaker sound system in a lower level trim package than a comparable system the HR-V.
It's also worth noting that Honda has said the 2024 Civic will be available as a hybrid, increasing the power output to 204 horsepower and adding better fuel efficiency. As of publication, pricing, availability information, and other statistics on the hybrid were not available.
Honda
Look to the Frugal Civic if Fuel Economy Is Critical
With EPA fuel-economy figures of 31/40/35 mpg city/highway/combined, the Civic is more efficient than the HR-V, which, in its base FWD specification, is rated for 26/32/28 mpg.
That said, the variety of engine, transmission, and powertrain options on each vehicle will affect fuel mileage slightly.
