Visually there is very little new about the 2025 Honda Civic beyond a new front fascia and grill. But look beneath the hood and you will find the fourth generation of Honda’s two-motor hybrid system paired with a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder gasoline engine.
The result is a silky smooth 200 horsepower and hefty 247 lb. ft. of torque.
The resulting combination of performance and fuel economy makes the 11th-generation Civic stand out in the shrinking sedan segment. This was not always the case.
Before Canadians switched to crossovers and SUVs, they loved cars. None more than the Civic.
For decades, it was the best-selling car in the country. It has been here for half a century.
Canadians fell in love with the 2025 Honda Civic HybridPhoto: Garry Sowerby
More than six million of them have rolled off the assembly line at Honda’s Alliston, Ontario plant since 1988. More than 4,200 Canadians are employed there.
To satisfy consumer demand, Honda has developed a family of crossovers. But it has not neglected the Civic.
Honda has invested in Canada and its citizens have loved Honda right back
The company has invested $1.4 billion to upgrade the Alliston facility to make it the lead plant in North America for production of the hybrid versions of the hugely successful CR-V and the Civic sedan.
The hybrid version of the Civic that rolls off that assembly line is expected to represent about 60% of Civic sales.
2025 Honda Civic HybridPhoto: Garry Sowerby
After a week and several hundred kilometres at the wheel of a Canadian-built Civic hybrid, it is easy to see why it is so popular.
The main contributing factor is the fourth generation of Honda’s smaller and lighter two-motor hybrid system. One of the motors acts as an electrical generator, supplying power to the hybrid battery. The second one is both larger and more powerful, able to send 181-horsepower and 247 lb. ft. of torque to the front wheels.
Both the gasoline engine and the two-motor hybrid system come from a Honda plant in Ohio.
2025 Honda Civic HybridPhoto: Honda Canada Inc.
The hybrid system allows three driving modes: EV, Hybrid and engine.
As the name implies EV is electric-only. The gasoline engine remains off and the motor provides motivation starting from rest, during acceleration and can maintain a light cruising speed.
The hybrid mode uses the electric motor to drive the front wheels and the gas engine to power a generator that provides power to the big battery pack. Engine mode is used for medium and high speeds where it drives the front wheels.
The 2025 Civic hybrid is available in sedan or hatchback guise. In either case, it offers an affordable combination of value, fuel efficiency and practicality.
Practical yes, but fun to drive, too!
But it is also a car that is fun to drive, with lots of punch from the hybrid powertrain, great balance between ride and handling and excellent feedback from the controls, both wheel and pedals.
The impressive power (it is quicker to 100 km/hr than the supposedly sporty Civic Si) is available from idle, instant torque thanks to the electric motors. The nimble four door loves the turns should the driver be so-inclined!
Take the Civic to Costco
It is also an accommodating family car with seating for five. The rear seat has ample room for a pair of full-size adults. There is room in the trunk for big suitcases or a trip to Costco.
The interior is state-of-the art in both appearance and content. The attractive honeycomb -pattern mesh that stretches from door-to-door hides the ventilation outlets.
2025 Honda Civic HybridPhoto: Honda Canada Inc.
The high-end tester came with a clear 26-centimetre screen for a new infotainment system with integrated Google-based services. You can use your voice to adjust a variety of settings.
I enjoyed driving this car so much, I almost forgot to mention fuel mileage – exceptional!
Despite a week of flogging in cold winter weather, enjoying the afore-mentioned agility and performance, I averaged 6.1 litres/100 km.
2025 Honda Civic HybridPhoto: Garry Sowerby
It is easy to see why my cohorts in the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada recently named the 2025 Honda Civic the Canadian Car Of The Year.
Click here to check out EastCoastTester’s resident artist, Michael Doyle, getting artsy with the Civic Hybrid.
FACTS & FIGURES – 2025 Honda Civic Sport Touring hybrid
PRICE
Base: $37,100
As tested: $40,567 including freight
SAFETY
Collision mitigation braking system, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping system, road departure mitigation, LED headlights, automatic high beams, blind spot information system, low speed brake control
INFOTAINMENT
23-cm infotainment screen, Google automotive services, Amazon Alexa built-in, 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone connectivity, wireless phone charger, WiFi hotspot capability
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Adaptive cruise control, 18-in alloy wheels, power heated mirrors, power moonroof, 26-cm digital, colour driver information display, dual zone automatic climate control, front and rear park sensors, proximity key entry with push button start, tilt & telescope steering column, heated steering wheel and seats, power leather-trimmed seats
SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS
Platinum White Pearl paint, $300; protection package, $391
MECHANICAL
2.0-litre four-cylinder engine 141 hp, 134 lb-ft of torque, plus two AC motors, 181 hp, 232 lb-ft (combined output: 200 hp, 232 lb-ft; 1.06-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; regular fuel, continuously variable transmission, NRCan rating (litres/100km city/highway): 4.7/5.1
DIMENSIONS
Length, 4,694 mm; wheelbase, 2,735 mm; weight, 1,480 kg
COMPETITION
Kia Forte, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla and Prius
