Should You Go for the Civic or the CR-V?

Honda has established a loyal customer base by providing affordable models with innovative designs, comfortable cabins, and excellent performance. Two of their most sought-after models are the CR-V and the Civic. The former is a compact SUV that offers a lively driving experience, a zippy engine, and seating for five. In 2023, it underwent an external redesign that garnered much attention; it now features a longer wheelbase and frame, along with a more muscular-looking front end. The increase in frame size has resulted in a more spacious cabin as well.

Meanwhile, the Civic is one of the best-selling passenger cars in the US, and drivers simply can’t get enough of this reasonably priced compact sedan. When our customers hear how popular these two models are, they often come to us as their dedicated used Honda dealership to determine which model is right for them.

If you’re new to the Honda name, you have likely at least seen many Civics and CR-Vs on the road. Their reliability and solid price point make these two models options that drivers turn to time and time again. If you aren’t sure which one is right for you, we’re here to help you make that determination.

The Civic is a compact sedan whose dimensions make it great for commuters. This is a terrific choice if you regularly battle for cramped parking spots, as it’s perfect for city streets because of its easy maneuverability.

When you’re fighting your way through traffic and dealing with drivers who make unpredictable moves, you will likely appreciate the nimble handling of the Civic. It responds rapidly to steering inputs and tackles lane changes effortlessly. If you are most comfortable in a sedan and don’t require a ton of extra space for cargo, the Civic is a great choice.

One reason so many drivers love the Civic is its price tag. Honda has managed to keep the price of the Civic amazingly low, even as competitors seem to regularly bump up the cost of their models. With a starting MSRP of around $20k, the Civic catches the eye of many who are on a budget.

We often recommend the Civic to college students or recent graduates. When University of Rochester attendees come to us looking for that perfect vehicle for their first job, we love to show them the Civic. It’s easy to manage, fun to drive, has great fuel economy, and boasts an attractive price tag.

The Civic might also be a good choice for someone making some side income as a rideshare driver. Thanks again to the great fuel economy combined with the low monthly payments, the Civic is an excellent vehicle to make money in as a driver.

We are always excited when drivers come to us and say they want something with an inspired performance but don’t have the budget for a traditional sports car. Why? Because we get to wow them with the Civic Si—this sedan’s performance-oriented configuration—which still sits below $30k and is so much fun to drive.

The Civic Si gets a six-speed manual transmission and is known for seamless and responsive gear shifting. It gets the same 1.5-liter inline-four of the standard Civic but one that kicks out 200 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque—a significant jump from the standard trim’s engine. We love that Honda has made a vehicle for those who crave an energetic drive while keeping to a tight budget.

It’s important to note these aspects of the Civic, but they are not necessarily shortcomings. First, the base Civic only comes in front-wheel drive, so we recommend it for those who stick primarily to paved roads, like cities, suburbs, and highways. It’s not appropriate for rougher environments and won’t do well in deep snow.

We also want to point out that it does not have Wi-Fi hotspot capability. That might not be a huge deal for those who mainly use it for commuting. However, if you have extended trips in mind and want to let passengers answer emails or watch shows on the road, they will need to rely on wireless data.

Finally, the Civic is not currently available in a hybrid powertrain, although Honda has announced plans to release one in 2024. If you’d like to drive a Civic but want a hybrid powertrain, wait just a bit longer and you could have everything you want.

The CR-V is a compact SUV that packs a punch, fulfilling many of the spatial needs of SUV drivers while still boasting small enough dimensions that it’s not overwhelming to drive. It fares beautifully in the city as well as on the highway, but it gets a bonus for some off-road capabilities.

If you want a higher riding height than a sedan, more passenger space, and more cargo space, the CR-V is a practical choice over the Civic. Passengers will get more legroom, headroom, shoulder room, and hip room. Furthermore, with the rear seats folded, the CR-V can get up to 76.5 cu.ft. of cargo space—more than five times that of the Civic.

If you have significant cargo needs, we highly recommend the CR-V. It’s a good choice for those who need to pack up some foldable bicycles or similar adventure gear, for parents who have to haul around a lot of their kid’s stuff, or for professionals who transport a lot of files and materials for work.

The 2023 Honda CR-V has a hybrid powertrain, so it’s a terrific option for those who want to see incredible fuel economy in the city and on the highway. If you need to travel all over upstate New York for work or fun, you’ll love how infrequently you need to pull over for gas. The CR-V’s powertrain is also a good choice for those who want to do their part in reducing emissions.

We gladly recommend the CR-V to adventurers because of its towing ability. The CR-V can tow up to 1,500 lbs, making it excellent for taking a small boat, camper, ATV, or similar item out to Lake Ontario for a day of fun. If you know you will need to tow a modestly-sized item to make the most of your weekends, you’ll want the CR-V.

While the Civic only comes in front-wheel drive, the CR-V has available all-wheel drive. If you are subject to driving in notoriously snowy New York streets in the winter, or you want the freedom to explore less-than-perfect ground, you’ll like the added traction you can get from the CR-V’s all-wheel drive.

Finally, we’d like to mention that the CR-V does have Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, so you and your passengers can stay connected on the road. This is one more feature that makes it a great model for explorers.

At Ralph Honda, we are excited to show Rochester drivers these two excellent vehicles. There are many reasons they continue to rank among drivers’ favorites and sell so well. The Civic and the CR-V are both solid choices, each right for their own breed of driver.

If you’re still unsure which one is right for you, visit us and speak to one of our sales team members. They will know what questions to ask you to help you further narrow down your decision. We’ll always put professionalism and transparency at the forefront of everything we do, and we know you’ll love working with us.

We’re receiving more new and used CR-Vs and Civics daily, so it’s always a great time to stop in and see what deals we have available on these reliable, affordable, and fun vehicles. Our finance team will get you on a payment plan you love so you can drive off with a smile, knowing your monthly payments will be manageable. It’s time to visit Ralph Honda and find your perfect model today.