Civic

For 2023, the Civic gets several updates, including a newly restyled front bumper that offers a sleeker appearance. Honda also introduced the Sport trim as both a coupe and a sedan, and added a larger engine for the Sport trim (2.0 instead of a turbocharged 1.5-liter). The Civic gets high praise for a number of other things, including the spacious cabin and high-quality interior build materials. The ride quality is on par with much more expensive vehicles, and the fuel economy and engine performance are excellent across the board. The Honda Sensing bundle is now standard on all trim levels, bringing with it adaptive cruise control, forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, lane keeping assistance, and more. The infotainment system also gains physical knobs and buttons.

If there is one perennial competitor to the Honda Civic, it is the Toyota Corolla. However, in a head-to-head comparison, the Civic outperforms Toyota’s entry to the market in several key areas, despite the full refresh the Corolla received for the 2023 model year. The interior is less spacious and comfortable than the Civic, and the Corolla also suffers from a lack of interior storage space. Rear headroom is lacking, and oddly enough there is no built-in support for Android devices in the Corolla infotainment system OS. In addition, the Corolla is lacking most driver assistance features and many advanced safety features unless you upgrade to the LE or SE trim level (and pay more for your car). With that being said, there are a couple of interesting variants, including the Corolla Hybrid and the Corolla Hatchback. Overall, the Civic is still the better bet for a more comfortable, capable, and connected drive.

While the Nissan Sentra technically competes with the Honda Civic, we don’t feel that the competition is particularly even. For the 2023 model year, the Sentra got a new infotainment system, but it is only available on three models. The Sentra also suffers from a wide range of other issues, including lackluster acceleration, limited safety features, a clunky infotainment system OS, and a disconnected driving experience. Many taller drivers also find the front seats uncomfortable and limiting. To get most of the features one would expect on a modern vehicle, you must upgrade to the SR trim level. With that being said, a new SV Special Edition with 17-inch wheels and luxury upgrades was introduced for the new model year. For a compact with more horsepower, more safety features, and better hauling capability, trust the timeless Honda Civic over the Nissan Sentra!

Subaru might not command the market share and brand recognition that Honda does, but the automaker does put out solid vehicles. The 2023 Subaru Impreza falls squarely in with that trend, although the Civic does manage to edge it out in several key areas. For instance, the Civic offers faster acceleration and sportier handling despite a more powerful engine being installed in the Impreza. Additionally, while the cabin is quiet and comfortable, it is not as roomy as the Civic. The Impreza also suffers from a noisy transmission, the interior components are low-quality, and the fuel economy is lackluster, as well. With that being said, the Impreza does offer all-wheel drive on all trim levels but the only way to gain access to other important features is to upgrade to the Premium trim level.

Ultimately, the 2023 Honda Civic is hands-down one of the most capable, value-packed cars in its segment. It offers outstanding performance and handling, good fuel economy, plenty of comfort, and lots of perks as standard equipment. There are also unique packages and upgrades that allow you to tailor your ride to your tastes, whether you’re looking for a daily driver, a car for a recent grad, or just want a sporty car that doesn’t empty your wallet at the fuel pump.