Think of someone you know that can do it all. Someone that you can always rely on. That feeling of confidence that person instills in you because you know no matter what, they’ll have your back.
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With the 2019 Honda Civic, you can now get that exact same kind of confidence from your car.
Always a staple of the compact sedan class, this year’s Civic is a part of a generation that started a few years back in 2016. However, for 2019, Honda introduced an all-new Sports trim for the Civic. Ideal for those that want a sporty look and feel, but still aren’t quite content with the price tag that comes with most luxury brand sedans.
Last week, we took the Honda Civic Sport for a spin and did a deep dive on all the bells and whistles of this practical, yet sporty sedan. To see our showcase of the design, features, and our first reactions to the ride quality of the Civic, check out our complete Push to Start series!
Exterior/Interior Design
The differences between the Sport and Base trim of the Civic are subtle, yet when combined, they offer a much more flash than the default Civic. Highlighted by the black accents on the grille and rear spoiler, the Sport also offers upgraded 18-inch alloy wheels and a unique center outlet exhaust. Think an HDMI output with attitude.
Inside the cabin, the upholstery is made up of high-quality leatherette and fabric materials. Along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, the Civic Sport is undoubtedly a comfortable ride. To round out the Sporty appearance are sport pedals, and optional paddle shifters paired with a smooth continuously variable transmission.
In the hatchback version of the Sport trim, the rear features a more rounded trunk area. This version also has one of my personal favorite design features on the civic: black mesh looking materials below each taillight. While the Hatchback does cost a bit more than the sedan, it does offer about 50% more cubic inches of cargo capacity behind the rear seats and added versatility.
Features
Honda is known for offering a solid number of features on its base models of their vehicles. The 2019 Civic is no exception, and since the Sport is one rung up on the Civic trim tree, you’ll get additional creature comforts to round out your ride. Here are the highlights:
Technology
- 7″ touchscreen interface with HondaLink
- Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
- Eight-speaker sound system with USB ports
- Keyless ignition & entry with remote start
Safety
- Honda Sensing
- Collision mitigation braking system
- Road departure mitigation system
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keeping assist system
- Rearview camera with multiple angles
- LED running lights
- Automatic high beams
Performance
Now normally for a base Civic review, you might not often see a section dedicated solely to performance. People that buy Civics are just looking for a great bang for their buck and a dependable ride… right?
Well, the Sport warrants at least some respect in the performance department. Now don’t get it twisted, the Civic Sport won’t be winning any drag races anytime soon, but the Civic can definitely turn your monotonous daily commute into a fun driving experience.
The base engine for the Sport trim is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pushes out 158 horsepower from its classic i-Vtec engine. The Sport also adds a more athletically-tuned suspension system that will dispatch even the most extreme turns with ease.
Now once again, if you’re willing to spend a bit extra to get the Sport Hatchback, you’ll find your Civic being powered by one of the best overall engines in the compact sedan class. The turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder i-Vtec engine kicks out 180 horsepower with 177 pound-feet of torque. This engine will also give you an EPA estimated 37 MPG highway, making it a fantastic option for those who want their car and not their last paycheck, to go fast.
Piloting the Civic is also extremely enjoyable as it boasts great acceleration and responsive braking. Offering a smooth ride, with quick steering and handling, the ride quality of the Sport is hard to beat.
Class Comparison
We know choosing the right car is difficult. In the compact car segment, competition is always fierce and its hard to decide which one fits your needs the best. With competitors such as Hyundai and Toyota vying for the compact car crown, each manufacturer tries to stretch boundaries and edge out the other year in and year out. Among the competition this year is Hyundai’s Elantra and Toyota’s Corolla, to name a few.
2019 Honda Civic vs. 2019 Hyundai Elantra
In terms of engine performance and driving experience, the Civic soundly beats out the Elantra, which has a leisurely 0-60 time of 9.8 seconds, especially when equipped with the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine. Fuel efficiency is roughly the same for both cars and varies by trim, but the Civic has the better overall engine for sure. The Civic also boasts a more sophisticated cabin, spacious back seat, and more than 50% more cargo space with the hatchback. Safety features are about the same as well.
The two categories where the Elantra does surpass the Civic is a more user-friendly infotainment system, and a lower starting MSRP by a few thousand dollars. So if you have a lower budget, the Elantra is a good option and will definitely get you from point A to point B. However, if your budget is a bit more flexible, we suggest getting the Civic, which essentially an upgrade in the majority of categories and worth the extra money.
Honda Civic vs. Toyota Corolla
The Corolla essentially exhibits the same issues that the Elantra has: namely an uninspiring engine that only has 132 horsepower and a 0-60 of 10 seconds. Similar to the Elantra, the Corolla does have an easier to use infotainment system, but doesn’t have Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in any trim level. The Civic also offers more modern styling and is more appealing to look at on the road.
So the Civic gets the edge against the Corolla as well, and remains the compact car to beat in 2019. However, like the Elantra, the Corolla does have a lower MSRP than the Civic. So if you have a firm budget with no wiggle room, the Corolla may be a good fit for you.
Leasing/Financing
When thinking about leasing or financing the 2019 Honda Civic, you should keep in mind your driving habits, budget, and Honda’s warranty. To get more info about leasing and financing in general, check out this blog post!
Honda has a great reputation of making reliable, durable cars. The 2019 Civic has also been praised for holding its value extremely well, as it was awarded Kelley Blue Book’s Best Resale Value Award for compact cars. It also was awarded KBB’s Small Car Best Buy award five years in a row. Higher overall residual value means better lease prices as well for Honda’s longstanding compact sedan.
That being said, if you’re the type of person that has a long commute to work and goes on a lot of road trips throughout the year, leasing, in general, may not be a good option for you.
However, if you calculate that you won’t be driving more than 15,000 miles per year, and will want to get the newest Civic in 2022, leasing will save you more money.
Honda offers a 3 year/36,000 mile limited warranty and a powertrain warranty that covers 5 years or 60,000 miles. This is an average warranty, and if you choose to finance you’ll be on the hook for any maintenance that occurs after the powertrain warranty expires.
Overall, even though Honda has a great reputation for making long-lasting cars and the Civic has great resale value, the warranty on the Civic isn’t comprehensive enough to warrant financing over leasing in most cases.
Leasing prices in September 2019 for the Honda Civic Sport are:
Sedan: MSRP $22,845 | $223/month for 36 months | 10k Miles/yr | Estimated Taxes & Fees: $1,756
Hatchback: MSRP $23,145 | $215/month for 36 months | 10k Miles/yr | Estimated Taxes & Fees: $1,729
Coupe: MSRP $22,345 | $224/month for 36 months | 10k Miles/yr | Estimated Taxes & Fees: $1,758
Price your own Civic online using our online leasing tool, Ignite, to get an instant quote on the Civic of your choice!
Conclusion
At Capital Motor Cars, we treat every customer like family. With free concierge home delivery and our personal auto consultants to help you, we can deliver the car of your dreams to your front door! Contact us today to take advantage of our industry-leading lease deals!
