Why is The Honda Civic So Popular in Canada? (And Best Sedan Alternatives)

The iconic best-selling vehicle won the coveted North American Car of the Year (NACOTY) award right out of the gate for its revised sporty styling, versatile powertrains, and advanced technology. 

• Naturally aspirated or turbocharged four-cylinder engine
• Six-speed manual transmission or CVT
• Sub-7.0 L/100 km fuel consumption (CVT)
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
• Available Honda Sensing driver assistance safety suite
• Automatic climate control
• LED daytime running lights and taillights

For the last several decades, the Civic nameplate has been a hit for the Japanese manufacturer due to its practicality, above-average fuel economy and fun-to-drive nature. The 10th generation (2015 to 2020) recipe is even better featuring highlights such as the 1.5-litre engine (EX-T model and above), the first turbocharged example offered on a production Honda.

There are several trim levels, ranging from the base DX with the 2.0-litre naturally aspirated motor producing 158 horsepower all the way up to the top-of-the-line Touring taking advantage of the turbocharged 1.5-litre making 174 horsepower, which is the highest output found on a non-Civic Si in North America. 

Both sip gas in a thrifty manner if paired to the continuously variable transmission: the former estimated at 6.9 L/100 km in combined city and highway operation and the latter, 6.7 L/100 km. Choosing the stick shift bumps the number up to 7.5 L/100 km. 

Speaking of the Si, Honda released the souped-up version in 2017 wearing a blacked-out front fascia, exclusive 18-inch two-tone 10-spoke alloy wheels shod in wide 235-millimetre low-profile tires and trunk spoiler. Inside, the cabin benefits from red-stitched bucket seats that have more aggressive bolstering, to aluminum shift knob and pedals. 

Other highlights include optional LED headlights; a sharp handling suspension comprised of front strut and multi-link rear hardware; significantly increased legroom than the outgoing version; and an interior utilizing plenty of soft-touch materials and a seven-inch Display Audio touchscreen display. LX models and above also receive a full colour TFT centre metre.

In addition to the NACOTY honours, in 2016 the 10th-gen Honda Civic was named Car of the Year by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, and Best of the Best by the Canadian Automotive Jury.

Interested in adding other affordable yet high-performing pre-owned sedans to your shortlist? Here are three more Canadian favourites.

Toyota Corolla

• Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 active-safety technology
• Eight-inch Display Audio infotainment system

The current 12th-gen Toyota Corolla (2019 to present) debuted as a hatchback first, boasting a stunning fresh look, with a sedan arriving a year later, the pair built upon the Toyota New Global Architecture.

If you were checking out the Civic because of its outstanding drive dynamics and/or fuel economy, then you’ll love the Corollas’ automaker’s Dynamic Force 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine delivering nearly 170 horsepower while maintaining excellent fuel consumption, rated at 6.7 L/100 km (hatchback) and 7.1 L/100 km (sedan) combined, when mated to the CVT. Like the Civic, a six-speed manual gearbox is optional on both variants. 

Mazda3

• Efficient Skyactiv powertrain
• Available front-wheel or all-wheel drive 

Fellow compact car the Mazda3 entered its latest fourth-generation (2019 to present) relatively recently, showcasing the Hiroshima-headquartered company’s contemporary curvy Kodo “Soul of Motion” design language. Offered in sedan and hatchback form, well over six million units have been sold globally since debuting in 2003.

Mazda is pivoting towards producing a more premium product and it shows in the long list of standard equipment that includes enhanced sound deadening, eight-speaker stereo, full LED lighting and heated front seating. Similar to the Civic, the Mazda3 has tight suspension using a MacPherson strut front/torsion beam rear setup perfect for spirited cornering. 

Volkswagen Jetta

• Sleek coupe-like exterior
• Standard turbocharged motor

Reimagined two years ago, the seventh-generation Jetta (2019 to present) is now based on the proprietary Volkswagen MQB platform and is larger than before sporting a longer wheelbase and wider track. As a result, interior space is also greater.

Despite being bigger than the outgoing vehicle, fuel consumption is much improved — rated at approximately 6.91 L/100 km/h combined — thanks in part to aerodynamic upgrades, such as wind-cheating wheel designs and underbody panels helping the new Jetta achieve a 10 percent lower drag coefficient overall. Fancy the Civic’s performance-oriented aesthetics? The Jetta sports a robust trapezoidal grille, alloy wheels and subtle integrated spoiler. 

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